I am an animal lover, a former professional equestrian, an elementary school librarian, and an avid reader. Reading is definitely my superpower. I don’t so much read as devour books of all kinds. As a district library coordinator, I read all levels of books, from board to picture, to middle grade, to chapter, to YA and adult. Books and animals are my jam.
A rogue. An outlaw. An unlikely hero. The colt is the pride of the stable until his dam kills a groom in her stall. Viking is a painful reminder of the tragedy, and so he is sold off. With his teeth and thick weapon of a tail, Viking brutalizes everyone who handles him until Anne O'Neil tries him. The first time she rides him, she declares she will not buy him if he was the last apple in the barrel. The second time, she rides him as if he is as sensitive as one of her Thoroughbreds, and she is amazed by the results. Kindness and sugar turn out to be the keys to Viking's heart. Viking and Anne become rising stars until a cruel and brutal trainer seeks to crush his spirit.
This book is a novel by Marguerite Henry, based on the true story of the Godolphin Arabian, one of the founding stallions of the Thoroughbred breed. The story follows the journey of Sham, an Arabian horse, and his caretaker Agba, from the stables of the Sultan of Morocco to the streets of London. Agba remains loyal to Sham through many trials and tribulations until his true value is recognized.
I grew up on a horse farm, have ridden horses since I was a little girl, and spent many years training and competing dressage horses. People become equestrians because of the special connection that a horse can have with a human. Sham’s and Agba’s story is about this special, transcendent love. This book has remained one of my favorites in part because I found my own “Sham.”
He was named "Sham" for the sun, this golden-red stallion born in the Sultan of Morocco's stone stables. Upon his heel was a small white spot, the symbol of speed. But on his chest was the symbol of misfortune. Although he was swift as the desert winds, Sham's pedigree would be scorned all his life by cruel masters and owners.
This is the classic story of Sham and his friend, the stable boy Agba. their adventures take them from the sands of the Sahara. to the royal courts of France, and finally to the green pastures and stately homes of…
This book is about a former service beagle named Stella who has PTSD. Stella was trained to sniff out chemicals used in explosives, but after a traumatic event, she struggled with anxiety and retired from service. With the help of an expert dog trainer, Stella learns to manage her fears and discovers that she can use her powerful nose to help her new owner, Cloe, who has epilepsy.
Like Black Beauty, Stella is told from the point of view of the animal, in this case, the beagle. I loved Stella’s voice. Seeing the world through Stella’s eyes was a truly unique and compelling experience. Readers empathize and connect with Stella in a powerful way. In addition, my brother suffered from a seizure disorder, so Cloe’s story resonated with me.
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STELLA has been nominated for 14 state awards in FL, ME, NE, NM, OK, PA, KY, KS, LA, AL, MA, SC & TX!
"This empathetic read is also full of important themes and lessons for young readers bravery, how to overcome fears, and that mistakes don't have to define us." --School Library Journal
Told from Stella's perspective, this story is about a special dog who must find the courage to overcome her fears in order to help save a young girl with epilepsy.
Ever since she was a puppy, Stella was trained to use her powerful beagle nose to sniff…
After her husband's death, Tova Sullivan starts working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, where she forms a remarkable friendship with Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus. Marcellus, who is more knowledgeable than anyone can imagine, figures out what happened the night Tova’s son disappeared over thirty years before. The relationship between Marcellus and Tova ends up transforming Tova’s life.
I found this book to be an unexpected delight. I didn’t know that octopi are intelligent. After reading it, I found myself plunging down the rabbit hole of googling about octopi and watching YouTube videos of them escaping aquariums. It seems like there is such an odd relationship between Tova and the octopus, and yet it totally works.
THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
BBC RADIO 2 BOOK CLUB PICK
'Full of heart and humour . . . I loved it.' Ruth Hogan
'Will stay with you for a long time.' Anstey Harris
'I defy you to put it down once you've started' Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney
After Tova Sullivan's husband died, she began working the night cleaner shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium. Ever since her eighteen-year-old son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat over thirty years ago keeping busy has helped her cope. One night she meets Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium who…
This is an unlikely story, yet it is also a true one. Harry de Leyer, a Dutch immigrant, saved a horse named Snowman from the slaughterhouse. Harry trained Snowman to become a show-jumping champion. This is a story about an incredible long shot and about a man who believed in his horse. What’s not to love?
I am a third-generation horsewoman, and I grew up hearing stories about the “great horses.” I remember my mother sharing the tale of Snowman and Harry de Leyer with me. For the most part, equestrian stars are incredibly expensive, pedigreed animals. Snowman, in contrast, pulled a plow. The story of Snowman makes it seem possible that we can also find or encounter our own magical plow horse who can carry us to the rarified air of the top of the equestrian world.
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The dramatic and inspiring story of a man and his horse, an unlikely duo whose rise to stardom in the sport of show jumping captivated the nation
Harry de Leyer first saw the horse he would name Snowman on a truck bound for the slaughterhouse. The recent Dutch immigrant recognized the spark in the eye of the beaten-up nag and bought him for eighty dollars. On Harry’s modest farm on Long Island, he ultimately taught Snowman how to fly. Here is the dramatic and inspiring rise to stardom of an unlikely duo. One show…
This is one of those books that helped me fall in love with reading. It is the story of a young boy named Alec who becomes stranded on a deserted island with a wild black stallion. Over time, the two form a deep bond, and upon their rescue, Alec trains the stallion to become a racehorse.
I think this was the first series I ever got hooked on. These are oldies but goodies. As a young horse lover, I believe I read all of them. This book helped to start my passion for reading and writing.
First published in 1941, Walter Farley's best-selling novel for young readers is the triumphant tale of a boy and a wild horse. From Alec Ramsay and the Black's first meeting on an ill-fated ship to their adventures on a desert island and their eventual rescue, this beloved story will hold the rapt attention of readers new and old.
This book has been selected as a Common Core State Standards Text Exemplar (Grades 4-5, Stories) in Appendix B.
Desperate to honor his father’s dying wish, Layken Martin vows to do whatever it takes to save the family farm. Once the Army discharges him following World War II, Layken returns to Missouri to find his legacy in shambles and in jeopardy. A foreclosure notice from the bank doubles the threat. He appeals to the local banker for more time—a chance to rebuild, plant, and harvest crops and time to heal far away from the noise of bombs and gunfire.
But the banker firmly denies his request. Now what?
Then, the banker makes an alternative proposition—marry his unwanted daughter, Sara Beth, in exchange for a two-year extension. Out of options, money, and time, Layken agrees to the bargain.
Now, he has two years to make a living off the land while he shares his life with a stranger. If he fails at either, he’ll lose it all.
Desperate to honor his father's dying wish, Layken Martin vows to do whatever it takes to save the family farm.
Once the Army discharges him following World War II, Layken returns to Missouri to find his legacy in shambles and in jeopardy. A foreclosure notice from the bank doubles the threat. He appeals to the local banker for more time-a chance to rebuild, plant, and harvest crops and time to heal far away from the noise of bombs and gunfire.
But the banker firmly denies his request. Now what?
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