Joe and the Gladiator Author:Catherine Cookson The Gladiator was an old nag, just a bunch of worn-out skin and bones. But he was fifteen-year-old Joe Darling's own horse, left to him by old Mr. Prodhurst, and Joe wouldn't have the horse put away no matter how much trouble it caused. His parents thought he was crazy, his friends made fun of him, and even kind Mr. Billings, the vet, couldn't s... more »ee how Joe could work, go to school, and still take care of his horse the way he should. Mr. Billings' daughter Anna offered to help out, and together it seemed they might manage. Vet bills kept mounting and Joe was about ready to give up when he had his marvelous idea for saving The Gladiator. All it would take was a lot of luck and the help of a few real friends. And that was when Joe and The Gladiator found out who their buddies really were....« less