Now that we are in May, it’s time to consider the upcoming Gallop into Summer Reading Program. The aim is to encourage primary school aged children to build on their reading skills over the summer break.

A reminder that the group of authors who are running the event are *horse* book authors. Including yours truly!

Head along to the main site – https://wereadhorsebooks.com/how-to-participate/ – to find out how to participate. Visiting that link will provide you with the log to download, where children can make note of the books they read from June 1 – September 1.

The books have to match up with 24 different points on the reading log. For example, one is to read a book that is based on a true story. Another is to read a book by a participating author.

Participants can also get creative and draw based on a book they read, read outside as well as borrow a book from the library.

As I work through this log with three of my children, my library of 800+ horse books will no doubt fit into many aspects of the list!

On top of encouraging reading over the summer break, for participants who complete the log, there is also the chance to win horse books! You can check out the participating authors via https://wereadhorsebooks.com/authors/.

Do you know a young horse fan or teenager? Be sure to check out the website to sign them up. Participants who complete the challenge will win a horse book from participating authors!

I started Unbridled Faith back in December of last year, having received it as a Christmas present. It combines two of my favourites – faith and horses!

As a devotional, I didn’t sit down and read it in one setting, but rather read one to two entries over the course of a day, so that I could think on what was shared. It is lovely to now be able to share a review of this horse devotional.

Unbridled Faith: Devotions for Young Readers by Cara Whitney

The author Cara has beautifully woven together a bible verse, a horse focused anecdote and a prayer in each day’s reading. The horse related story – whether it relates to grooming, paddock mates, going on a trail ride, preparing for an event or some form of horse care – is tied back to a particular verse of scripture.

From here, she then explores how something in her horse journey could encourage a young horse fan to live out their faith in their daily life. Each day’s entry is beautifully wrapped up with a short prayer for the young reader to pray.

This typically focuses on asking God for guidance in a particular area of their life. This then relates back to that day’s scripture and horse anecdote.

Unbridled Faith would be a wonderful investment as a gift for any horse fan. And especially for a reader who knows God or is seeking to know Him. An added bonus is the horse photos throughout the book with an artistic flair added to them. Highly recommended.

Author: Cara Whitney
Devotion – teens
In my library? Indeed it is!

 

Recently I was contacted by Gerri about reading a collection of interconnected stories to review – horse related, of course! This is Gerri’s first novel that she has released and I love her focus: racehorses. Bluegrass Dreams Aren’t for Free is a really unique take on the lives of racehorses.

Firstly, this book looks at the lives of different racehorses, but from their point of view. It typically covers those that race on the dirt in the US. But it also explores racing on the turf and one thoroughbred heading over to the United Kingdom to race against English thoroughbreds.

Secondly, this story introduces the concept of hybrid horses. They are able to talk, don’t want a human on their backs and are capable of managing their own racing careers and when they retire to stud. What a unique concept!

Another interesting twist I found in this story, was the idea of these horses ‘buying’ their freedom. As expensive racehorses, they needed to make enough winnings to cover the cost of their stud fee and buy their freedom. As long as they are in the money consistently when racing, they are able to do this as a two-year-old if really successful, or by the time they are a three-year-old racehorse.

Bluegrass Dreams Aren’t for Free

I love the idea of this story.

It shows the struggle that horses can have – if racing isn’t suited to their personality, or they just aren’t fast enough to make a career of it. It touches well on the ‘after racing’ life – breeding if successful – or other uses for an off the track thoroughbred. I also loved reading about the parts that focused on the value of horses for therapy.

This story did throw in a lot of emotions that to me are more human – and I did find it amusing to consider horses video chatting! – but the concept in itself was really unique, the horse racing aspects spot on and the story overall really enjoyable. Highly recommended.

Why not check out Gerri’s first novel with thoroughbreds as the focus point? If you are keen to secure a copy of this just released novel, I encourage you to head along to the publisher’s site and make use of the code NR2025 for a print or digital copy. Just note that it expires on May 15th! This will enable you to get 15% off the currently already discounted book 🙂

Author: Gerri Leen
Fiction – suitable for middle grade or above
In my library? As an electronic copy it is.