Phoenix by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

What does sleepy Sommer Springs Tennessee have that Knoxville doesn’t?  A Pony Club! For 11 yr old Harper that means a new vista - barn, horses and kids her own age coming and going in the paddock behind the cramped cottage she now shares with her mother. But she is a city kid and assumes she is not into horses  – yet. In this first title in the Ride On series, Harper must settle down away from her city, her school, her mates, her best friend Cat and the father who “blew up” their family  by having an affair with Cat’s mother.

Betrayal, divorce animal cruelty, friendships, bullying, racism, jealousy, horses and parenting are all ripe for discussion. Miss Chelsea mentors Harper as a stable hand since she has shown aptitude in saving a dying horse she was given. Through the Pony Club and school she meets a handful of horsey kids including Dante a Puerto Rican and Night who appears to be non-binary.

Phoneix, the abused horse is the therapy horse she didn’t know she needed. Who is saving who? Can she forgive her father, and her best friend who may have kept his secret? Or can Pheonix help her appreciate her natural affinity for horses - perhaps help her embrace grace and forgiveness.

Bona fide horse lover and two-time Newbery Honor–winning author of The War that Saved my Life,  Kimberly Brubaker Bradley weaves several themes into the simple story of a girl’s first horse – a fragile but magnificent beast she has saved from the knackery even though she’s never ridden one before. 

Haley Tippman designed the cover art in the style of colouring book outlines roughly shaded. Indeed some kids are forced to grow up too soon and Harper is healed in part by the object of her compassion – a new relationship that informs all her human relationships and losses to set them free.

Only 20 short chapters (176p) and author’s note, the School Library Journal proffers high praise: Not just for horse lovers; it is for anyone navigating major life changes and grappling with learning to forgive. Teacher's notes are also available.

Themes: Betrayal, Divorce, Animal cruelty, Friendships, Elitism, Jealousy, Horses, Parenting.

Deborah Robins