A Good Horse

September 27, 2010
Smiley returns to the territory and characters of her 2009 novel, The Georges and the Jewels, in this moving sequel. Opening on Abby's 13th birthday, the story centers on her relationship with her beloved eight-month-old colt, Jack (introduced in the last book), who Abby fears she may lose after her family's ownership of Jack is contested. The 1960s setting and the Lovitt family's ranch life (and faith) are visceral presences in the book. And when heartbreaking and very adult decisions need to be made, Abby's love of horses provides a steadfast anchor. Ages 11–up.

December 1, 2010

Gr 6-8-Eighth-grader Abby Lovitt loves caring for her family's nine horses. Her favorites are Jack and Black George, though she runs the risk of losing both. Black George is an excellent jumper, and after he and Abby win first place in a contest, he is sold for a considerable profit. The family receives a series of letters from a private investigator indicating that Jack's mother fits the description of a stolen horse, meaning that she might have been sold to them without the true owner's permission. The illustrations of horse equipment add some depth to the story; however, the plot falls flat. The level of depth Smiley uses to describe some details, as when Abby and her friends play the "Adverbs" game, will not engage most readers, and the laborious descriptions of Abby's riding experiences will only appeal to avid horse lovers. The side stories involving Abby's brother moving out because of their strict, puritanical father is confusing and the story of Abby and her friends acting out Julius Caesar might leave readers a bit lost. Instead of adding detail, these elements make for a murky, anticlimactic plot.-Adrienne L. Strock, Maricopa County Library District, AZ

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2010
Grades 4-8 Picking up shortly after The Georges and the Jewels (2009), this patient read continues the story of 13-year-old Abby, who finds herself feeling protective of Jack, a colt who might be the offspring of a stolen mare with an impressive pedigree. Smiley writes beautifully about Abbys dawning awareness of the small sadnesses of life, though the book is so thoroughly obsessed with horse culture that only serious enthusiasts will willingly penetrate the long passages about riding, grooming, training, jumping, etc. But for that contingent, Smiley is a godsendfew other authors can balance dreaminess and realism so deftly.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2011
Abby learns that Jack, the colt she rescued in The Georges and the Jewels, might have been sired by a famous race horse. Meanwhile, she works on jumps with Black George for an upper-class horse show. In a novel heavy on horsewomanship, from the show circuit to cow-punching, Abby's no-nonsense personality and understated competence will appeal to accomplished and wannabe riders alike.

(Copyright 2011 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

November 1, 2010
Living and working on her family's horse ranch in 1960s California, Abby has two major concerns: one, handsome Black George, a phenomenal jumper, could be sold for a lot of money if Abby can ride him at an upper-class horse show to good results (provided Abby doesn't get spooked by the higher jumps Black George takes in stride). Two, Jack, the motherless colt Abby rescued in The Georges and the Jewels (rev. 11/09), is the subject of an investigation -- his sire might be a famous race horse, but if his dam turns out to have been stolen, Abby could lose him to the mare's rightful owners. In a novel heavy on horsewomanship, from the show circuit to cow-punching, Abby's no-nonsense personality and understated competence will appeal to accomplished and wannabe riders alike. Smiley's pellucid prose incorporates horse information, Abby's school troubles, and her family's religious fundamentalism into a seamless narrative, moving effortlessly from one part of Abby's life to another and joining the tensions of the double-stranded plot into a cohesive -- and thoroughly satisfying -- whole. anita l. burkam

(Copyright 2010 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

June 1, 2015
Gr 5-8-Eighth grader Abby Lovitt and her family live on their horse ranch in 1960s California. A letter from a private investigator suggests that Abby's favorite colt, Jack, may have been sold to them as stolen goods. While the Lovitts await more information from the investigator, Abby continues training Black George, a kind and generous horse with loads of raw talent over jumps. When Abby and Black George win a championship, drawing the interest of wealthy buyers, Abby worries that she may lose both horses. This wholesome story is refreshingly devoid of darkness and mature themes. Abby's family has a strong Christian faith, but the Christian elements are not heavy-handed. Narrator Angela Goethals's girlish voice perfectly captures young Abby's charming personality. VERDICT Vivid descriptions of horse training and behavior and the sheer beauty of these animals in motion will appeal to horse-loving tween and teen listeners.-"Lisa E. Hubler, Charles F. Brush High School, Lyndhurst, OH"

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.