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  • The Dala Horse

The Dala Horse

Lissa Johnston (Author, Publisher), Laurel Kathleen (Narrator) Format: Audible Audiobook
4.0 out of 5 stars (28)

The Dala Horse is for ages eight and up. Think Nancy Drew meets Little House on the Prairie. Ten-year-old Kaya Olson lives in a small Norwegian immigrant settlement in post-Civil War Texas. When her mother is killed in a stage coach robbery, Kaya feels responsible. Can she uncover the secrets her family is keeping to solve the mystery surrounding her mother's death?

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  1. Listening Length
    4 hours and 19 minutes
  2. Author
    Lissa Johnston
  3. Narrator
    Laurel Kathleen
  4. Publication date
    August 31, 2016
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Lissa Johnston
  7. ASIN
    B01L7PPCCW
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
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Product details

  • Listening Length ‏ : ‎ 4 hours and 19 minutes
  • Author ‏ : ‎ Lissa Johnston
  • Narrator ‏ : ‎ Laurel Kathleen
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 31, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Lissa Johnston
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01L7PPCCW
  • Version ‏ : ‎ Unabridged
  • Program Type ‏ : ‎ Audiobook
  • Best Sellers Rank: #881,818 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 out of 5 stars (28)

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
28 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book to be an excellent read, particularly suitable for upper elementary age kids. The story receives positive feedback, with one customer noting how it makes them contemplate different scenarios.
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6 customers mention readability, 5 positive, 1 negative
Customers find the book to be a wonderful read, particularly suitable for upper elementary age kids, with one customer noting how it takes readers through unexpected excitement.
...Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed this book....Read more
...> This story is in my opinion, perfect in length and is a great read for any age; I can't wait to read her next release!Read more
A sweet historical read about a young girl losing her mother suddenly and left with questions to answer about why....Read more
...starts out quiet and unassuming but eventually takes the reader through unexpected excitement....Read more
5 customers mention story, 4 positive, 1 negative
Customers enjoy the story of the book, with one mentioning it made them think about different scenarios.
Ok story bit the ending was too abrupt.Read more
...Horse" by author Lissa Johnston is a very easy-to-read and masterfully crafted story....Read more
...I enjoyed learning about the history, but the story had me contemplating different scenarios for many days after I was finished reading....Read more
Ok story bit the ending was too abrupt.Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Matt T.
    5 out of 5 stars
    What a Wonderful Read!!!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2015
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    "The Dala Horse" by author Lissa Johnston is a very easy-to-read and masterfully crafted story. The story is set in the latter half of the 19th century and centers around the main character, little Kaya Olson, a young Norwegian immigrant living in the frontier land of Texas. I quickly came to adore young Kaya, who in some ways reminded me of one of the main characters from one of my favorite childhood shows, "Little House on the Prairie." Her wittiness and strength of character leave little doubt that beyond the point where the story ends, Kaya grows up to become pillar of her home and community.

    I absolutely loved reading this story and with the way Lissa crafted it, I would not be surprised if other readers experience the same nostalgic stroll back down childhood memory lane that I did. The author even leaves you asking a major question... (but I won't spoil it for you; you'll have to read the book yourself).

    This story is in my opinion, perfect in length and is a great read for any age; I can't wait to read her next release!

    3 people found this helpful
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  • Anita
    3 out of 5 stars
    Three Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2016
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    I did not receive what I thought I ordered...........I wanted the book to read to children. Anita

    One person found this helpful
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  • Donelle J. Bart
    4 out of 5 stars
    Ok read
    Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2018
    Format: Paperback
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    Ok story bit the ending was too abrupt.

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  • gettin' older
    5 out of 5 stars
    Excellent read, spoiler in second paragraph
    Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2015
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    This is a well-written, excellently researched (with end notes) novel about a ten-year-old girl in Texas. It is listed as targeting ages 8-12, but the delicate topics would make me want to change the age of the girl to twelve (which would be easy to do, I spent most of the book wondering how old she was) and move the targeted age up to 12-15. Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

    [spoiler alert] This book is about how Kaya finds out her mother was having an adulterous affair. Personally, I wouldn't want my eight year old reading this. But it was delicately handled, gently revealed, and the book leaves several openings for a series to follow. I hope that happens. And perhaps her young age was required for the series to continue.

    5 people found this helpful
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  • CK Syme
    5 out of 5 stars
    Sweet story of a young girl struggling to find out the story of her mother's death
    Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2017
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    A sweet historical read about a young girl losing her mother suddenly and left with questions to answer about why. I think this would make an excellent read for upper elementary age kids (4th grade and up). Historical fiction but certainly dealing with relevant issues kids face today. This book has a resilient ten-year old heroine that faces ethnic prejudice, a distant father, and the struggle of being a new kid in town--all while trying to uncover the mystery surrounding her mom's death. I bought the audio book and the narrator did an excellent job.

    One person found this helpful
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  • talkinturtles
    3 out of 5 stars
    Disappointing
    Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2022
    Format: Audiobook
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    The book is well written, but the author should have decided on either a children’s book it an adult book. I assumed this was a Children’s book but wanted to read it as i am also scandenavian. Adultery and murder are not subjects for an elementary book. Maybe older teens. The ending was too abrupt and left too many unanswered questions. Maybe leaving it open to a series. But the book was not interesting enough to try to check out further books. Was going to let my granddaughter read it after i was done but will not be doing that.

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  • Amazon Customer
    5 out of 5 stars
    this was one of the best novels I have read in a while
    Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2015
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    I must say, this was one of the best novels I have read in a while. I love the way the author, Lissa Johnston, wrote and brought everything together at the end. I had one unanswered question lingering at the end but I have my own thoughts about why. I am convinced it was purposeful. Also, this isn't normally my preferred genre for reading but found myself drawn in from the very beginning. I HAD to know what little Kaya was going to experience. Very well done! Highly recommend this to everyone!

    3 people found this helpful
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  • Starr Schrenker
    5 out of 5 stars
    Great read!!!
    Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2015
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    The Dala Horse starts out quiet and unassuming but eventually takes the reader through unexpected excitement. I enjoyed learning about the history, but the story had me contemplating different scenarios for many days after I was finished reading. Certain characters need their own book... :-)

    One person found this helpful
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