i would like your recommendations for a series of horse related books for young-tween age girls. The girl i have in mind is 11, and she reads older than her age. She already read Jean Slaughter-Doty’s books. i am hoping to find a series i can get a few at a time on amazon or other. thanks
Obviously the saddle club, and heartland. My favorite as a kid was the unicorns of balinor, I still love those.
The Black Stallion. duh.:lol:
Maggie Dana has a wonderful series of books–Timber Ridge Riders–and here is a link to the first book in the series:
https://www.amazon.com/Keeping-Secrets-Timber-Ridge-Riders-ebook/dp/B0069E39NG
Kate Lattey’s Pony Jumpers series is set in New Zealand. Slightly older characters but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing since sometimes kids like to read about people a few years older than themselves:
https://www.amazon.com/First-Fence-Pony-Jumpers-1-ebook/dp/B00VUC6790
Also Canterwood Crest:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001PSEPMU/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1
The Horseshoe Trilogies by Ben Baglio. My DD loved them, and I have to admit that I enjoyed them also.
The Thoroughbred series by Joanna Campbell. I enjoyed the series, as well as some of her non-series titles as well. Of course Saddle Club too. I donated all of mine to my old Pony Club’s library so other kids could read them.
Misty of Chincoteague and its follow-ups. Most of Marguerite Henry’s books are great, really, and Wesley Dennis’ illustration is fantastic. (The other illustrators who did work for her books are great, too!) I think Misty was the only series, but Henry wrote a lot of horse books and a few other animal books covering a range of cultures and historical periods. King of the Wind is still my hands-down favorite. Maybe the historical accuracy is not always on point (the Godolphin Arabian was actual a Barb, maybe?), but they are great books for exploring new perspectives.
The Black Stallion series; none other. Duh.
Claire Svendsen. She writes a new book every month. Perfect for this age group - and I love them myself. I can endorse these as not full of relationship silliness and sex. Wonderful messages about overcoming adversity and dealing with life, as well as very authentic riding stories!
You said she’s reading above her level, so try the Dick Francis books…great mysteries.
When i said series, i meant like more than 5 books in the series, the ones that continue on. I can get her started and her mom can get her the rest. Thanks for all the suggestions. Dick Francis is way to old for hr. She is 11, but reads at more of a 14 yr old level. i don’t think Dick Francis books would interest her.
there are some horse stories for young adults by Jane Smiley. Horses of Oak Valley Ranch series. the girl in the story is 13.
I am reading them, they are great and not a quick read either.
Gee Whiz, True Blue, the Georges and the Jewels, Pie in the Sky and one other.
I know you asked for a series, but Enid Bagnold’s National Velvet & Anna Sewell’s Black Beauty are such a classics.
If she hasn’t already read them, please consider.
I first read them around her age (I was also an “older” reader) & have re-read both many times since.
I have a raggedy paperback copy of NV & haunt used book stores for hardcovers of both.
The Canterwood Crest series is a good one and appropriate for a younger crowd.
I liked the Maggie Dana Timber Ridge books as a teen. I had no idea there were so many! I think there were only 4 or 5 when I was reading them.
Thoroughbred and Saddle Club are decent for quite a good chunk of the series. The longer the series went on, the weaker the plots got, and other people got involved in writing them.
Kim Ablon Whitney writes good teen/tween plots centered around riding and showing.
i have been surprised that these small boks keep their value. i was able to win a big bundle of them on Ebay for $16. ( saddle Club) but otherwise, they are selling for more than i expected.
What about Elyne Mitchell’s Silver Brumby series?
One of my childhood favourities… and re-read in my early 20s for pure guilty pleasure!
I second the Thoroughbred series. When I was little I really liked them, and there are a zillion books in the series. You can get them on Amazon for like $7 per book.
I was going to suggest Cancara’s suggestion, but she beat me to it!
A wonderful series
Patricia Leitch (Jinny series starting with For Love of a Horse plus others) wrote wonderful books for this age group, as has KM Peyton (start her on Fly By Night).
