Horse Girl

Gr 3-5—Seventh grader Wills (or Willa) has always been a true horse girl, so when her family moves to Nebraska from California, she finally gets her chance to take horseback riding lessons. Wills is excited to begin her horse girl journey, but there are challenges. Whereas Wills is just learning how to properly ride and jump a horse, her riding partners at Oakwood Riding Academy are years ahead of her. Plus they all seem to ride their thoroughbred horses so elegantly, while extra-tall Wills gets paired with an equally tall Clydesdale horse named Clyde Lee. Needing one more rider to participate in the annual Oakwood Invitational competition, Wills must gain the approval of horse captain and champion Amara, learn how to ride without Clyde, and find out who is leaving her mysterious handwritten notes. This narrative offers a fun story of fitting in, a slight mystery, and friendly competition. Wills's mom is deployed overseas as a pilot in the air force, and her father is caring for Wills and her 16-year-old sister. Pages include footnotes with further information on horse etiquette and vocabulary, handwritten notes, and text message conversations. Characters are described only by their hair color. Wills has frizzy dark hair, and three of the other girls (triplets) have blonde hair. VERDICT A great alternative to the more mean-girl "Canterwood Crest" series, without losing the relatable preteen voice and story line.—Anna Taylor, Chattanooga, TN