#1: A Horse for Kate

Kate's father has lost his job and they move to her grandpa's farm where they can no longer afford for her to take riding lessons. You will feel for Kate as she faces a new middle school where she doesn't know anyone. Kate wants a horse so badly! She gets a job shoveling manure at a stable just to be around horses. Kate learns that sometimes God gives us our desires. I enjoyed reading this book for young people. I won the book in a giveaway. This is my honest opinion.

As an Air Force "brat" I completely understand Kate's apprehension over moving to a strange place and starting over, and her disappointment over having to delay getting a much desired horse. Add to that the challenges of her father's new job bringing a pay cut, a dearly loved but enigmatic, autistic younger brother, and the startling and disconcerting experience of becoming one of the ethic minority, and the stage is set for Kate's mental, emotional and spiritual growth.

I loved the realistic character and relationship portrayals and their development. Kate seems a typical "tween" in many ways, but the decisions she makes- both the reactionary and immature as well as those born of conviction and a penitent heart- and the believable way Miralee writes about them were my favorite part of this story! Don't get me wrong: it was delightful meeting the family, watching Kate and Tori's friendship grow, and learning much about horses along the way, but the portrayal of what a commitment to Christ looks like for a young lady of 12 is unusual in that it seemed natural and not forced or preachy, nor oversimplified or just a nod to draw in the Christian crowd. How does knowing Jesus make a difference? How does Scripture convict, help, strengthen, or encourage us? Miralee weaves her answers to these questions through this delightful story of longing, loss, and love.

Because of its strong characterization, A Horse For Kate was therefore somewhat richer in dialogue than dash and seemed somewhat slow in a few places. However, it does have some well developed action and suspense suitable to the story, which makes it perfect for older girls and pre-teens. I also really appreciate that the "romance" that is so prevalent in storytelling nowadays across the age-spectrum was conspicuously absent, and Kate's friendship with a boy remained just that. The town had character, too, and made me wish I lived in a place like that down here in Texas!

In addition, my 8-year-old daughter loved reading this story with me! She liked that Kate's brother wanted to get the horse for her. She thought it was sweet that Kate was willing to give up something she really wanted and enjoyed to keep her word and her friendship intact. And she liked that Kate told the truth when it would have been easier to lie. And we both want to make the horse cake! (Kate's mom makes her one, and the directions are in the back of the book.)

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was an excellent introduction to the series. It was such an enjoyable and interesting story, full of the challenges of moving to a new home, making new friends, and even learning to accept when things dont always work out the way you want them to immediately. Kate has an autistic brother and the challenges and joys her family experiences with Pete and his care adds so much to the story (and also to each book in the series).

My nine year olds thoughts: I like that Kate found a friend and that her friend learned to like horses.

The first in this series about horses and friends for young readers finds twelve year old Kate on her way to Oregon. Her dad had lost his job in Spokane and the family was moving to the farm Kate's mom had inherited. Kate hated leaving all her friends but her dad had found a job there too so she would make the best of it.

As the family arrives at the farm, Kate spies the barn. She wants a horse so bad but she knows money is tight. And then there is the money needed for the special teacher for her autistic brother, Peter.

Kate experiences the pressure of being a new kid at school. There are many Hispanic students and Kate feels a little out of place. One of the Hispanic girls tentatively approaches Kate and that is the beginning of a good friendship.

There is much to entertain young readers in this novel. Kate learns about the cost of loyalty in friendship. She also faces the possible cost to her dream by being honest and not lying. Her friend, Tori, learns about pushing beyond fear to do the right thing. The characters are well crafted and the story held my interest. I recommend this novel for girls, aged 8 12, who like horses.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Litfuse for the purpose of an independent and honest review.

One of my girls loves horses and stories about them, so I was excited to read a book geared for her age group by a familiar author. I was pleased to find my expectations of an age-appropriate read were met, and even exceeded, by a strong spiritual thread woven throughout.

This book is told in third person, but mostly from Kate's perspective. She is a very human young lady who struggles with the challenges that accompany moving to a new place, family hardships, and even her attitude. What I especially liked is that even when Kate gets a bit out of line in her words or actions, she doesn't remain there long; her conscience and the Holy Spirit's conviction bring her around. Kate frequently prays about whatever is troubling her, and when she feels she's been selfish in those prayers, she confesses and prays about what she realizes to be the real problem. In spiritual matters, Kate is a good example for the girls likely reading her story.

The novel pacing is even and the prose and dialogue are all believable as coming from a young teen. The tension within the novel is both common to tweens and teens, but also age appropriate for younger readers. Will she make friends in her new school? Will she get the horse she so longs for? There is also a nice subplot involving Kate's autistic brother. This is handled with sensitivity and empathy, giving girls a peek into the world of someone not very different from themselves, but facing a family challenge that can be very difficult at times.

The theme of friendship is also explored with some depth. Being there during times of need, encouraging each other, and keeping her word to her friend, even when it goes against her deepest desires, are all things Kate and her new friend Tori exhibit.

There is a lot of horse terminology but it's explained well within the context of the book. Girls interested in horses and their equipment will enjoy learning new things or being immersed in a world that they dream about.

This fairly predictable story will appeal to kids in the recommended age group of 8-12, and even younger girls will likely enjoy it if a parent reads with them. And the lack of surprises, especially unpleasant ones, will be welcome to parents who might be understandably concerned about what their children are reading. There is almost nothing objectionable within these pages--there is one mention of a boy and whether he is considered "hot" or not, but that is the only thing I'd flag as possibly questionable. And while the conclusion may be a bit unrealistic, I'm going to attribute that to a young girl's version of a "happily ever after" ending, especially given that there is no real romance in this story, which again, parents of this age group will likely appreciate.

The story will work well for girls interested in horses or who have moved to a new town recently. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to my friends who have young daughters interested in riding or caring for horses. Overall, this novel is a great "chapter book" for young readers just beginning to strike out into their own reading interests, and Mom and Dad won't have to worry that they'll run across any attitudes, actions, or other content that they might wish to shield their young readers from.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for this honest review.