The Circus Horse

July 1, 2009
Gr 2-4-Set in a small town in the Australian bush, these books introduce best friends Bonnie and Samantha and their shared adventures and passion for horses. In "Switch", a farm horse belonging to Sams father and a wild horse, or brumby, mysteriously switch placesand only Bon and Sam discover the truth. After Sams policeman father unexpectedly mounts the newly domesticated animal to gallop off and rescue a toddler from an oncoming train, Sam divulges the horses true identity, but he doesnt believe her. One year later, the girls encounter the former farm horse in the bush, happily acclimated with the brumbies. In "Circus Horse", Bon, having practiced some trick riding for the local talent show, secretly takes the place of an injured rider in a visiting circus. She manages to turn her near fall into a clownlike part of the act, much to the enjoyment of the unsuspecting audience. While both plots in these short chapter books require some suspension of disbelief, overall they are an engaging window into rural life Down Under and the friendship of two enviably independent girls who are knowledgeable, skilled riders. Lighthearted ink and watercolor illustrations charmingly convey the Aussie terrain and the cast of human and equine characters. However, some of the more finely detailed drawings and small-font captions could be visually challenging for some young eyes. A short glossary of unfamiliar terms is a vital addition for American readers. Additional purchases where there is strong interest in horse stories for newly fluent readers."Kathleen Finn, St. Francis Xavier School, Winooski, VT"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2009
Grades 1-3 In this winning entry in the Horse Crazy series, Australians Bonnie and Sam decide to compete in Talent Night. Horse lovers, the girls practice trick riding, andBonnies skills could make her a star, until a rule takes them out of the running. Then a circus comes to town and with it a dramatic test. Even without the satisfying climax and amusing final scene, the friendship, adventure, and freedom the girls enjoy willmake them theenvy of many. Ink-and-wash illustrations brighten every spread of this lively volume, which is a bit longer than an easy reader but more fully illustrated than most beginning chapter books.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)