Astra

I live in the shadows of the Western States Trail where the Tevis is run. I was interested to see if there were any books out there about the Tevis and came across this one in the middle grade fiction category. I love horse books (especially those for kids). If you have kids who are interested in trail and endurance this is a great book to give them an overview while worked into a captivating story. I enjoyed the story and I really want to know what's next for Astra and Lily!

A story sure to please horse enthusiasts as well as the uninitiated. Lily's mom was an Arabian endurance trainer who died in an accident involving her favorite horse, Astra. In her last words she begged the horse be allowed to live. After that, Lily's dad refused to let Lily ride. But, like her mom, Lily has a passion for horses, and works as a stable hand at the nearby ranch of Mr. Henly, a famous trainer. Astra takes seriously ill, due to the negligence of Mr. Henley's son. Lily begs for the life of this horse again, much to her father's sorrow. The story has a nice arrangement of characters, both adult, young teen, and horses. The tension displayed between Lily and her dad brings to light Lily's coming-of-age restiveness at variance with her father's grief. It all works out in the end, but it's really all about the horses.

This story is about how nothing can break the friendship between horse and girl. The 10 year old girl named Lily must fight for a arabian endurance horse named Astra and she try's to hold on to her and her mothers dream to bring Astra to the Tevis cup one day. But then something goes terribly wrong so she starts questioning will she ever achieve her dream? Well read and you will find out.

I absolutely loved this book and Arabian horses are my favourite. The author as doe a wonderful job and as always I am impressed with her work. My all time favourite series about horses.

Horse lovers will enjoy reading this. Even though the story is predictable (girl's mom died riding horse, girl's dad won't let her ride... or will he?), and it moves slo-o-owly and the writing is often awkward, all the info about Astra as an Arabian mare and about endurance horse racing makes it well worth reading.