One Unhappy Horse

April 1, 2001
Gr 5-8-Since the death of her father, things have been difficult for Jan and her mother as they try to hold on to the ranch. At least Jan has her horse to ride, or so she thought, until Dove develops an intermittent lameness problem. When the girl finally convinces her mother to call the vet, the prognosis is grim: Dove needs an operation or his condition will continue to deteriorate, and there's no money to pay for it. The situation seems hopeless until Jan meets Mattie, an elderly resident in an assisted-living facility. A friendship grows between these two lonely people, and Mattie's generous gesture to save Jan's horse also helps the woman's life take a turn for the better. Once again, Adler has written a well-paced story with interesting and mostly sympathetic characters. Mattie, who appears to have been abandoned by her daughter, is particularly believable and sensitively drawn. She is a striking contrast to Jan's grandmother, who shows little compassion for her granddaughter's plight. This heroine has many traits that readers will relate to as she struggles with her insecurities and loneliness. She is determined and kind and her love for her horse will evoke an empathetic response from readers.-Carol Schene, Taunton Public Schools, MA

Copyright 2001 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2001
Gr. 5-7. Things could hardly get worse for 12-year-old Jan: her father has died, her mother seems unloving, she has no friends, money is tight, and her beloved horse, Dove, is limping. Of course, things " do" get a bit worse--Dove needs an operation the family can't afford. But along the way Jan befriends Mattie, a resident at a nearby retirement home, and Lisa, a new girl at school. Even better, she realizes that her mother does love her, after all. Adler has created a number of convincing characters for this novel, which is set on a small ranch near Tucson, Arizona. The initial bleakness of Jan's situation may put off some readers, but girls who love to read about girls who love horses will find this a satisfying story in the end.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2001, American Library Association.)