In the middle of the school year, Kate Ferris relocates from Spokane to rural Odell, Oregon—tough to do in seventh grade. The Ferris’s have inherited grandpa’s hobby farm, including a barn but minus the horses. Kate dreams of a horse of her own, but with her brother’s need for special ed, and Dad’s low paying job, this seems impossible. At school, Kate struggles to fit in until Tori, one of the Hispanic locals, breaks with her crew and decides to hang with Kate. Together they befriend a mysterious horse seemingly abandoned and neglected, and together they land a job at a local stable, where Tori begins writing lessons for the first time. Kate must make some tough choices that challenge her honesty and perseverance.
A Horse for Kate is a fun read with the usual middle school angst and a series of character building adventures. The first person point-of-view provided nice character depth that could’ve been deeper, and the spiritual and relational interactions were both interesting and instructive. A nice read for young girls and horse lovers.
Age Range: 8 and up
Genre: Contemporary
David Cook, 2015
Series: Horses and Friends, Book 1 of 4
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