Marguerite Henry Popular Books

Marguerite Henry Biography & Facts

Marguerite Henry (née Breithaupt; April 13, 1902 – November 26, 1997) was an American writer of children's books, writing fifty-nine books based on true stories of horses and other animals. She won the Newbery Medal for King of the Wind, a 1948 book about horses, and she was a runner-up for two others. One of the latter, Misty of Chincoteague (1947), was the basis for several related titles and the 1961 movie Misty. Biography Born to Louis and Anna Breithaupt, the youngest of five children, Henry was a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Henry was stricken with rheumatic fever at the age of six, which kept her bedridden until the age of twelve. She was unable to attend school with other children due to her weak condition and the fear of spreading the illness to other people. While confined indoors, she discovered the joy of reading. Henry's love of animals started during her childhood. Soon afterwards, she also discovered a love for writing when her parents presented her with a writing desk for Christmas. Henry later said, "At last I had a world of my very own – a writing world, and soon it would be populated by all the creatures of my imagination."Henry sold her first story at the age of 11. The Delineator (a popular women's magazine) had solicited articles about the four seasons from children, and she was paid $12 (now about $250) for "Hide-and-Seek in Autumn Leaves". She often wrote about animals, such as dogs, cats, birds, foxes, and mules, but chiefly her stories focused on horses. She studied at Milwaukee State Teachers College. After graduation she traveled to Wisconsin's North Woods with her family and met a traveling salesman from Sheboygan, Sidney Crocker Henry. On May 5, 1923, Marguerite married Sidney Henry in Milwaukee. The couple moved to the north side of Chicago where Marguerite launched her writing career by writing for magazines. During their 64 years of marriage they did not have any children, but instead had numerous pets that served as the inspiration for some of Marguerite's stories. They lived in Wayne, Illinois. In 1945, Henry began a 20-year collaboration with artist Wesley Dennis. "I had just finished writing Justin Morgan Had a Horse," she recalled, "and wanted the best horse artist in the world to illustrate it. So I went to the library, studied the horse books, and immediately fell in love with the work of Will James and Wesley Dennis. When I found out that Will James was dead, I sent my manuscript to Wesley Dennis." Henry and Dennis eventually collaborated on nearly 20 books. Misty of Chincoteague was published in 1947 and was an instant success. In 1961, it was adapted for film, as were Justin Morgan had a Horse (1972) and Brighty of the Grand Canyon (1967). San Domingo, the Medicine Hat Stallion was adapted for television as Peter Lundy and the Medicine Hat Stallion in 1977. Henry's last book was Brown Sunshine of Sawdust Valley, a 93-page novel published in September 1996, when she was 94 years old. Kirkus Reviews called it "Vintage Henry ...a lighthearted version of the old girl-meets-horse story; only this time, the horse is a mule."She died on November 26, 1997, at home in Rancho Santa Fe, California, after multiple strokes. Legacy Misty features the annual Pony Penning of feral horses from Assateague Island, a two-day round-up, swim, and auction that Henry had been "sent to look at" by her hopeful editor, Mary Alice Jones. She created several Misty-related titles including two more children's novels illustrated by Dennis, Sea Star, Orphan of Chincoteague (1949) and Stormy, Misty's Foal (1963). The beneficiaries of "Marguerite Henry's Legacy", as a Washington Post editorial termed local tourism, were the Assateague nature preserve and Chincoteague town. Within her lifetime Pony Penning itself drew about 25,000 visitors and their number was 40 to 50,000 according to a local estimate ten years later. In 2023 the Museum of Chincoteague raised donations to purchase the Beebe Ranch—the location where Misty was born in 1946. Awards Henry won the annual Newbery Medal from the American Library Association in 1949, recognizing King of the Wind: the story of the Godolphin Arabian as the year's "most distinguished contribution to American literature for children". She had been a runner-up for Justin Morgan Had a Horse in 1946 and Misty of Chincoteague in 1948. Brighty of the Grand Canyon was given the William Allen White Children's Book Award in 1956. In 1960, Black Gold won the Sequoyah Book Award. Gaudenzia: Pride of the Palio was awarded the Clara Ingram Judson Award for children's literature in 1961. Misty of Chincoteague was named to the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award list in 1961. Mustang, Wild Spirit of the West received the 1967 Western Heritage Award for Outstanding Juvenile Book and the 1970 Sequoyah Book Award. Works Auno and Tauno: a Story of Finland, illus. Gladys Rourke Blackwood (1940) Dilly Dally Sally, illus. Gladys Rourke Blackwood (1940) Birds at Home, illus. Jacob Bates Abbott (1942) Geraldine Belinda, illus. Gladys Rourke Blackwood (1942) Their First Igloo On Baffin Island, illus. Gladys Rourke Blackwood (1943) A Boy and a Dog, illus. Diana Thorne and Ottilie Foy (1944) Justin Morgan Had a Horse, illus. Wesley Dennis (1945) The Little Fellow, illus. Diana Thorne (1945) Robert Fulton, Boy Craftsman, illus. Lawrence Dresser (1945) Always Reddy, illus. Wesley Dennis (1947); also published as Shamrock Queen Benjamin West and His Cat Grimalkin, by Henry and Wesley Dennis (1947) – about the artist Benjamin West, OCLC 300163 Misty of Chincoteague, illus. Wesley Dennis (1947) King of the Wind: the Story of the Godolphin Arabian, illus. Wesley Dennis (1948) Little-or-Nothing from Nottingham, illus. Wesley Dennis (1949) Sea Star, Orphan of Chincoteague, illus. Wesley Dennis (1949) Born To Trot, illus. Wesley Dennis (1950) – about the Standardbred line and specifically the mare Rosalind Album of Horses, illus. Wesley Dennis (1951) Brighty of the Grand Canyon, illus. Wesley Dennis (1953) Justin Morgan Had a Horse (revised), illus. Wesley Dennis (1954) Wagging Tails: Album of Dogs, illus. Wesley Dennis (1955) Cinnabar, the One O'Clock Fox, illus. Wesley Dennis (1956) Misty, the Wonder Pony, by Misty, Herself, illus. Clare McKinley (1956) – picture book Black Gold, illus. Wesley Dennis (1957) – about the horse Black Gold Muley-Ears, Nobody's Dog, illus. Wesley Dennis (1959) Gaudenzia, Pride of the Palio, illus. Lynd Ward (1960); also published as The Wildest Horse Race in the World – featuring the Palio di Siena horserace All About Horses, illus. drawings by Wesley Dennis and photos (1962) Five O'Clock Charlie, illus. Wesley Dennis (1962) Stormy, Misty's Foal, illus. Wesley Dennis (1963) Portfolio of Horse Paintings, illus. Wesley Dennis, "with commentary by Marguerite Henry" (1964), LCCN 64-22279 White Stallion of Lipizza, illus. Wesley Dennis (1964) – about the Vienna Spanish Riding School Mustang, Wild Spirit of the West, illus. Rober.... Discover the Marguerite Henry popular books. Find the top 100 most popular Marguerite Henry books.

Best Seller Marguerite Henry Books of 2024

  • The Virgin Elizabeth synopsis, comments

    The Virgin Elizabeth

    Robin Maxwell

    Now available again, the third book in Robin Maxwell's acclaimed Elizabethan quartet, a Los Angeles Times bestseller called "Tense, absorbing, highly enter...

  • Where the Dragons Live synopsis, comments

    Where the Dragons Live

    Serena Geddes

    A young dragon discovers how to be his true self with some help from his human girl best friend in this sweetly earnest sequel to the “charming” (School Library Journal) Rosie and ...

  • Pony Swim synopsis, comments

    Pony Swim

    Judy Katschke

    The Dunlaps prepare to host a respected travel writer during the busiest time of the year in this sixth book of a chapter book series inspired by Marguerite Henry’s Misty of Chinco...

  • Moonlight Mile synopsis, comments

    Moonlight Mile

    Catherine Hapka

    When her horse show performance goes horribly wrong, Nina wonders if a Halloween ghost could be involved in this fourth book in a contemporary middle grade series in the tradition ...

  • A Pony with Her Writer synopsis, comments

    A Pony with Her Writer

    Thea Feldman

    Dip a toe, paw, or fin into history with this facttastic Level 2 ReadytoRead, part of a new series all about pets and the people who loved them! In this story, learn all about the ...

  • King of the Wind synopsis, comments

    King of the Wind

    Marguerite Henry

    He was named “Sham” for the sun, this goldenred stallion born in the Sultan of Morocco’s stone stables. Upon his heel was a small white spot, the symbol of speed. But on his chest ...

  • Finding Luck synopsis, comments

    Finding Luck

    Kristin Earhart

    The Dunlap’s bed and breakfast is finally ready for the grand openingor is it?in this fourth book of a chapter book series inspired by Marguerite Henry’s Misty of Chincoteague.It’s...

  • Album of Horses synopsis, comments

    Album of Horses

    Marguerite Henry

    From awardwinning author Marguerite Henry comes a classic reference work about horses and their origins.How did the Morgan horse get its name? What are the differences between a Be...

  • Buttercup Mystery synopsis, comments

    Buttercup Mystery

    Kristin Earhart

    The Dunlap siblings must solve the mystery of a sick pony on Chincoteague Island in this second book of a chapter book series inspired by Marguerite Henry’s Misty of Chincoteague.T...

  • San Domingo synopsis, comments

    San Domingo

    Marguerite Henry

    Peter Lundy has two joys in life: the rugged western plains where he has grown up and San Domingo, a Medicine Hat Stallion. The Indians believe such a horse is sacredthat neither b...

  • Album of Dogs synopsis, comments

    Album of Dogs

    Marguerite Henry

    This artful collection of canine companions from Newbery Medalist Marguerite Henry is majestically illustrated and makes a great gift for dog lovers of all ages.Marguerite Henry ma...

  • Runaway Pony synopsis, comments

    Runaway Pony

    Kristin Earhart

    A lost pony is cause for a nighttime adventure on Chincoteague Island in this third book of a chapter book series inspired by Marguerite Henry’s Misty of Chincoteague.Full Moon Fan...

  • A Forever Friend synopsis, comments

    A Forever Friend

    Judy Katschke

    Willa’s best friend from Chicago comes for a visit in this fifth book of a chapter book series inspired by Marguerite Henry’s Misty of Chincoteague.Misty Inn is up and running, and...

  • Justin Morgan Had a Horse synopsis, comments

    Justin Morgan Had a Horse

    Marguerite Henry

    Joel Goss knows that Little Bub is a special colt, even though he’s a runt. And when schoolteacher Justin Morgan asks Joel to break the colt in, Joel is thrilled! Soon word about L...

  • From the Third Eye synopsis, comments

    From the Third Eye

    Ed Halter & Barney Rosset

    In this first collection of film writing from Evergreen Review, the legendary publication's important contributions to film culture are available in a single volume. Featuring such...

  • Born to Trot synopsis, comments

    Born to Trot

    Marguerite Henry

    Gibson can hear the beat of the horses’ hooves against the track. Trotter are the world to him. But all he ever does is practice. He’s still too young and inexperienced to drive in...

  • The Road Home synopsis, comments

    The Road Home

    Catherine Hapka

    Nina tries to help a friend in the eighth and final book in a contemporary middle grade series in the tradition of Marguerite Henry’s Misty of Chincoteague.Nina’s friend Leah has b...

  • A Winning Gift synopsis, comments

    A Winning Gift

    Catherine Hapka

    Maddie worries she might be giving up too muchespecially Cloudy, her ponyin this fifth book in a contemporary middle grade series in the tradition of Marguerite Henry’s Misty of Ch...

  • Marguerite de Valois synopsis, comments

    Marguerite de Valois

    Alexandre Dumas

    Queen Marguerite of Valois, sister of Charles IX and wife of Henry of Navarre, is surrounded by political and amorous intrigue during the Massacre of St. Bartholomew. The author, a...

  • True Riders synopsis, comments

    True Riders

    Catherine Hapka

    Brooke has major boy problemsfrom her brothers to her crush to her horsein this sixth book in a contemporary middle grade series in the tradition of Marguerite Henry’s Misty of Chi...

  • Parodies synopsis, comments

    Parodies

    Michel-Antoine Burnier & Patrick Rambaud

    La farce des choses de Simone de Beauvoir / Aer voulez de Per Jakez Hélias / Mirot chinois mon amour de Marguerite Duras / Comme un vol de pavés de Louis Aragon / Les culottes cour...

  • Blue Ribbon Summer synopsis, comments

    Blue Ribbon Summer

    Catherine Hapka

    Brooke brings her pony to summer camp in this second book in a contemporary middle grade series in the tradition of Marguerite Henry’s Misty of Chincoteague.Brooke Rhodes is excite...

  • Gaudenzia, Pride of the Palio synopsis, comments

    Gaudenzia, Pride of the Palio

    Marguerite Henry

    An idealistic young man trains a workhorse to race in this triumphant story from Newbery Award–winning author Marguerite Henry, back in print by popular demand.The Palio horse race...

  • Chasing Gold synopsis, comments

    Chasing Gold

    Catherine Hapka

    When all of Haley’s time goes to training her pony, keeping an eye on the prize causes problems in this third book in a contemporary middle grade series in the tradition of Marguer...

  • Black Gold synopsis, comments

    Black Gold

    Marguerite Henry

    No one thinks much of Black Gold because he is so small. But Jaydee sees something special in his eyes. He knows Black Gold would be great if he was his rider! Finally, Jaydee gets...

  • Sea Star synopsis, comments

    Sea Star

    Marguerite Henry

    An orphaned Chincoteague colt restores happiness to his new owners in this beloved horse story from Newbery Award–winning author Marguerite Henry.Movie men have come to Chincoteagu...

  • Home at Last synopsis, comments

    Home at Last

    Judy Katschke

    Ben decides he wants his own pony in this eighth book of a chapter book series inspired by Marguerite Henry’s Misty of Chincoteague.Even though Ben is allowed to ride and groom his...

  • Mustang synopsis, comments

    Mustang

    Marguerite Henry

    Horses were in Annie Bronn’s blood. For as long as she could remember, she had been fascinated by the spirited wild mustangs that roamed free throughout the West. So when greedy ca...

  • The Rival Queens synopsis, comments

    The Rival Queens

    Nancy Goldstone

    The riveting true story of motheranddaughter queens Catherine de' Medici and Marguerite de Valois, whose wildly divergent personalities and turbulent relationship changed the shape...

  • Back in the Saddle synopsis, comments

    Back in the Saddle

    Catherine Hapka

    Haley and her pony, Wings, enter a prestigious competition in this seventh book in a contemporary middle grade series in the tradition of Marguerite Henry’s Misty of Chincoteague.H...

  • Rosie and Rasmus synopsis, comments

    Rosie and Rasmus

    Serena Geddes

    Two kindred spiritsa lonely young girl and a solitary young dragonfind each other and discover the power and magic of friendship in this sweetly simple picture book. Every day, Ros...