Astra

Description

From Booklist Platt, a former jockey, adds to her growing list of authentic horse-themed novels with this title, which echoes beloved classics such as Enid Bagnold’s National Velvet. Since her mother, an accomplished rider, was killed in a trail accident, 13-year-old Lily’s father has forbidden her to ride. She is allowed, though, to help out at the neighboring stable, where she cares for Astra, the Arabian her mother was riding at the time of her death. Then, miraculously, Astra’s owner gives her to Lily, who, with generous help, turns the ailing horse’s health around and begins to train her for the grueling Tevis Cup Endurance Race. As Astra grows stronger, so does the tension between Lily and her dad, leading to a triumphant resolution both at home and on the competition trail. Horse-focused girls will enjoy the realistic details about the rigors of care, training, and competing, but even readers with only a passing interest in all things equine will recognize Lily’s universal frustration when her parent’s fear and mistrust hold her back from challenges she knows she is capable of tackling. Grades 3-6. --Gillian Engberg Read more Review “An inspirational story of love, loss, and high hopes shines through in this realistic fiction novel.”“Filled with information about endurance racing as well as a cast of interesting supporting characters, this novel is a quick and enjoyable read.”“Echoes beloved classics such as Enid Bagnold’s National Velvet.” Read more About the Author Chris Platt, one of the first female jockeys in Oregon, is the author of more than a dozen books for young readers, including the popular horse novels Willow King, its sequel Race the Wind, and many titles in the Thoroughbred series. She lives in Nevada. Read more