A horse-crazy girl goes to riding
camp without ever having met a horse.
Sometimes it’s better if dreams don’t come true.
Eleven-year-old Charley is crazy about horses. She’s learned everything about them—except how to ride.
Now her world is falling apart. Her parents are splitting up and plan to ship Charley off to a riding camp for the summer. She wants to stay home and fix things, but the lure of her very own horse for the summer is hard to resist. She’ll live with girls who love horses as much as she does, and she’ll finally learn to ride.
It doesn’t turn out that way. From her first day at Secret Lake, Charley feels like an outsider. Her grumpy summer horse won’t look at her, riding lessons are terrifying, and Jane, the camp bully, is out to get her. How will Charley survive eight weeks of horse camp hell? A secret friend is all that makes camp bearable.
Charley’s Horse is a heartwarming tale of friendship, courage in the face of fear, and the ability to find peace and healing in unexpected places. You don’t have to be a horse-mad girl to love this book. Children of any age will find something to value in Charley’s summer story.
reviews
“The story is well written, always a little hook to get you to read on, to see how things develop. The ending is beautiful, and I have to admit, brought a tear to my eye, and a lump to my throat.”
“The writing is outstanding. The author clearly knows about and loves horses. And she understands how a confused, unhappy kid can grow up by finding a passion, mastering something tough, and connecting with like-minded people—and with some pretty special and majestic animals.”
“The author gently but effectively addresses the many difficult issues confronting our youth, including bullying, divorce, and the loneliness of being young and lost in an adult world. A most welcome entry into young adult fiction, and also for adults who still remember “the way it used to be.”
“From the very first sentence of this delightful and sensitively written book ... I was hooked. Judith is a master storyteller! Even if you have never mucked a stall just for the love of it, Charley and her story will grab your heart ... A must-read!”
“A book you will not want to put down. A book for all ages and genders. Masterfully told as we follow Charley navigating a tumultuous time in her young life—her parents’ pending divorce, with summer horse camp to follow. Charley’s quick, funny wit, insecurities, budding independence, and undeniable perseverance create a page-turner full of adventure and emotions ... Incredibly touching and heartwarming.”
“Charley’s Horse had me engaged from start to finish. Anyone who knows a child who might be struggling to fit in, to navigate emotions, and to find their path in life will find this beautifully written story revelatory.”
“An outstanding story of friendship, fear, bravery, and horses. I was hooked by the first page and did not want to stop reading.”
“Charley is a charmingly sympathetic character, humble but strong-willed, full of humorous observations about the world around her. The book, with its setting and influences, harkens back to an earlier era of children’s fiction: There’s no melodrama or snark, just complex, well-drawn characters and the timeless problems of growing up. ”