The riders of Old Quarry Lake Farms are enjoying their summer together. Newcomer Shelby Simone and her friends Katherine Wilson and Rose Jensen spend all of their free time hanging out at the barn and exploring the town.
Shelby is taking part in her first horse camp at the farm. Between her lack of riding experience and having Katherine as a junior counselor, Shelby feels equal parts confident and awkward. Katherine and Rose have been riding horses for years, and they're all the same age-Shelby will never be able to catch up with them!
When the town announces the school year will be starting later than expected due to construction at an archaeological dig, the girls are excited to spend more time at the barn... until Rose announces she'll be going on a surprise family trip with the extra vacation time.
Shelby enjoys spending more time at the farm to learn more about horses. But will her new skills be enough when disaster strikes?
Join the riders of Old Quarry Lake Farms as they spend their first summer together. Bonded by horses, locals Katherine and Rose are joined by Shelby, a newcomer from the city. Together, they'll learn and grow in the sleepy town of Old Quarry Lake.
This book is perfect for:Girls ages 10-12
Young readers who have experienced moving to a new home, making new friends, and feeling awkward in new places
Readers who love horses and want to learn more about them
Aspiring horseback riders and those who want to try horseback riding lessons
Parents who have children who are obsessed with horses
Teachers looking for materials that deal with sensitive emotional issues
Families of young readers who are experiencing anxiety over a change
Girls love these books because:They are filled with horse-y facts and adventures, putting them right in the center of the action
The warm tales inspire confidence in those who are having a difficult time with changes in their world
The characters experience- and work through- many of the complicated emotions and situations that come with growing up today
"Marty engages the reader by including relatable bits of everyday life in her story while also educating them on the basics of riding and taking care of horses. Even if you aren't initially into horses as a hobby, the casual yet fun tone of the story and relatability of the various trials and tribulations Shelby experiences throughout make for an enjoyable read. Before you know it, you'll know more about horses in general and will probably want to take a riding lesson after reading this book!" - Sarah Miller, writer
"Shelby's Horse-Filled Summer is an easy read for the age group. I like how it broaches subjects that can be an issue for girls of this age; ie: weight, friend struggles, not being great at something the first time you try it, and perseverance. I think these subjects are touched on in this book in a way that is comprehensible for its intended audience"- Christiana Hofer, author of a bi-weekly veteran series
"This book is geared towards preteen girls, bonus if they love horses! The way it is written is great for these young minds. They can really get into the book and connect with the characters"- Dana Dorey, caregiver
For young readers, pre-teens, tweens, and teens, the Old Quarry Lake Farms Tales are not just warm-hearted stories about girls and their horses, but provide information and insight about horses and the world of riding.
This is the second book in the The Old Quarry Lake Farms Tales Series.