Deborah Hopkinson is the author of the new middle grade book They Saved the Stallions. It focuses on the rescue of Lipizzaner horses during World War II. Hopkinson's many other books include Determined Dreamer. She lives in Oregon.
Q: What inspired you to write They Saved the Stallions, and how much did you know about the Lipizzaner horses before you started working on the book?
A: They Saved the Stallions is about the rescue of the famous dancing white Lipizzaners of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Austria. Many young readers have an interest in World War II but may not be ready for a book over 300 pages. I hoped to find a high-interest topic that would appeal to these readers as well as horse lovers.
They Saved the Stallions is one of two shorter books in a series called World War II Close Up. Each book is about 200 pages and contains first-person accounts and historic photos. (The second title, They Battled in Blizzards, will be out in Fall 2025.)
While I’d read a couple of adult nonfiction books about the rescue of beautiful Lipizzan horses in World War II, most of this story was entirely new to me. But as I always tell students, one way to learn about something is to write about it!
Q: How did you research the book, and what did you learn that especially surprised you?
A: I’m so grateful to those who helped with this book! I contacted the families of two American veterans who were critical to the success of Operation Cowboy, the daring rescue mission to save Lipizzaner mares and foals being held at a facility in Czechoslovakia in the closing days of the war. Not only did descendants share rare family photos, they provided unpublished first-hand accounts of the dangerous operation.
I felt it was essential that young readers understand just why it was important to save the horses of the Spanish Riding School. And once again, I was incredibly lucky.
I live in Oregon, the home of the US Lipizzan Federation (USLF). USLF president Lisa Simmons gave generously of her time, reading the manuscript for accuracy and helping me to explain the intricacies of dressage horsemanship to readers. The book even includes a photo of Lisa and her horse!
Q: The book includes shorter sections with additional information about the horses--how did you decide on the format that would work to tell this story?
A: I wanted readers of They Saved the Stallions to enjoy learning about the horses so we added short breakout features called “virtual field trips” to help expand their reading journey.
My favorite section was a guest piece by acclaimed nonfiction author Candace Fleming. Candy visited Vienna and attended a performance at the Spanish Riding School. She shared that experience with readers, which helped show the impact of the effort to save the horses.
Thanks to Operation Cowboy, the Lipizzaners of the Spanish Riding School continue to dazzle audiences today.
Q: What do you hope readers take away from the book?
A: The time will soon come when we lose the last living veterans of World War II. While these events may seem like the distant past, it’s important to honor and recognize their courage and sacrifice.
I hope books like They Saved the Stallions help bring true stories to a new generation, and that young readers will be inspired to read more nonfiction about history to better understand our world today.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: We’ve just finished checking the manuscript for errors for They Battled in Blizzards, a book about the Battle of the Bulge. The surprise counterattack by Nazi Germany in the Ardennes beginning on December 16, 1944, resulted in the largest military battle in US history.
It was an incredible challenge to write about it for a young audience. And once again, I was fortunate to be able to include unpublished accounts and photos from a few of those who took part.
I’m now working on a historical fiction novel which will be published by Scholastic in the fall of 2026. It’s entitled Take Cover and is set during the London Blitz. And it includes a few ghosts!
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: The kind of history I write about in books like They Saved the Stallions and my other nonfiction titles wouldn’t be possible unless individuals took the time—and had the courage—to tell their own stories.
These first-person accounts help us understand the past in ways that just reading a textbook can’t. That’s why I try to encourage children and teens to write their stories.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Deborah Hopkinson.
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