| Title | : | A Horse for Kate (Horses and Friends, #1) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0781411149 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780781411141 |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 208 |
| Publication | : | First published March 1, 2015 |
A Horse for Kate (Horses and Friends, #1) Reviews
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{Welcome to Teen Week! Every quarter we're going to try and do a Teen Week! A week where every weekday has a new review of a Christian book written just for teens! You’re reading the first one of this quarter's! :) }
About this book:
“A horse of her own would be awesome. But Kate figures that might be a long way away, especially since she had to give up riding lessons and move to her late grandfather’s farm. Besides, it would be a lot more fun to have a best friend to ride with. When Kate discovers a barn on their new farm that’s perfect for a horse, and a dusty bridle too, she starts to think that her dream might come true. Then she meets Tori at school, who is totally the best. So when they discover a thoroughbred that appears to be all alone, could it be the answer to her prayers? Maybe. If she can convince her dad ... and figure out what’s going on with that horse.”
Series: Book #1 in the “Horses and Friends” series. {Book #2 & #3 will both be coming out this year as well!}
Spiritual Content- ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Kate doesn’t understand why God won’t answer her prayers the way she’d like (when leads into discussions)
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘dweeb’, a ‘sissy’, ‘dumb’ and two ‘stupid’s; Mentions of horse manure; A few mentions of horses going to a glue factory or becoming dog food; A couple mentions of races and skin colors (nothing racist, Kate just notices that she’s a minority in her school.).
Sexual Content- N/A
*Note: A notice of a redhead: “who tossed her hair and made eyes at the boy across the aisle. That girl probably thought she was pretty and liked to flaunt it, even though she didn’t look all that hot to Kate.”; When noticing a boy Kate says: “He’s wasn’t what other girls might consider to be hot, but his blue eyes sparkled, and his grin was pretty cute.” And Late says she’s never had an interest in having a boyfriend.
-Kate Ferris, turns 13 in this book.
P.O.V. of Kate
201 pages (plus how to make a horse cake!)
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Pre Teens- Three Stars
New Teens- Four Stars
Early High School Teens- Five Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
I’m not the biggest horse person ever, but I’m not afraid of them. They’re beautiful animals the Lord made. Kate really reminded me of a bunch of 12/13 year olds I know! I’m looking forward to passing this on. I’m also looking forward to reading the rest of the series when they come out! :)
Link to review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspo...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Author for this review. -
Terrific kids book about horses and friendship. I loved the relationship between Kate and Tori, great to see such a sweet genuine friendship between characters. Also appreciated the inclusion of a character with autism and the way that was handled.
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Vlog: A Horse for Kate by @MiraleeFerrell ❤️ Middle-Grade Fiction Review by Taylor (age 9)
https://christianshelfesteem.wordpres... -
I loved this book. I don't think the ending could be better. 100% Great!
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The Horse and Friends Series is set to have four books so far.
A Horse for Kate (Spring 2014)
Silver Spurs (Summer 2015)
Mystery Rider (Fall 2015)
Blue Ribbon Trail Ride (Spring 2016)
Thoughts below images.
When I was a young reader of the near-tween age I don't remember being in love with the idea of horses, my love was with ship-wrecked and adventurous girls on the wild frontier either in the American west or English isles. However, I remember when my cousin and then later my niece discovered horses, oh my, do I remember. For both girls, in different avenues it was an intense passion for horses. My cousin rode competitively with her own horses. My niece read every book she could, watches films, and dressed like an adorable cowgirl from the prairie ranch. As I go into reading this book, I think back fondly on those memories and about the future as we start to collect books for my early reader who will before I know it be ready for the middle grades readers in the 8-12 range (eek!).
I'm a homeschooling mama, so everything that I read for the younger audience is a plausible school book. Knowing already how much I enjoy Miralee's writing from her adult Christian Historical Fiction novels I'm already leaning toward a positive as I have a good feeling about what this series may provide for the middle readers library section. Horses seem to always be a good sell, and to have a series that is on a great topic, but also from an integrity standpoint? Well can you see, you should already buy it without knowing my full opinion!
In today's economy things are rough and often parents can keep these kind of details from the youngest children, but as they get older (and near to teenagers) they notice things more. When Kate's dad lost his job and they had to move to her grandfather's farm left to her mother she is far from pleased. Leaving all her friends halfway through the year and moving to a farm is far from what she wanted to do this year. Things keep showing themselves to be against her and against her prayers, but maybe God has something else in mind.
As always David C. Cook books are published with a buttery soft cover, and this book is also available as an ebook (such as Kindle - {aff}). The books in this series are smaller than your average novel. Full with a good 175 pages this book measures 5.2 x 7.5". A good 21 chapters before the P.S. section with a recipe, extra character perks, a sneak peak at the next novel, and author notes. All that's missing is a discussion guide. -
When her dad gets a new job and her family makes the move to Odell, Oregon, twelve-year-old Kate Ferris feels lost and alone. All of her friends were left behind and starting over at a new school seems overwhelming. The only thing she has left is her passion for horses. But Kate soon finds out that love and friendship comes in all kinds of forms, from humans to animals, when she makes a new best friend at school AND on the her daily walks home. Join Kate as she fulfills her love of horses and goes on the adventure of a lifetime!
I must admit that, although I am a lot older than the recommended age for this book (9-13), I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Kate Ferris and her love of horses. I developed a love of horses at a very early age and, because of it, love reading stories involving horses and all things western. While the main aspect of the story is horses and Kate's passion of them, there are several things I loved about it. The author puts a strong emphasis on the value of friendship and the subject of prejudice which I feel imparts a valuable lesson to young kids today. Especially with bullying becoming a major issue in today's society. One thing I really want to mention is Kate's relationship with her seven-year-old brother, Pete. The tender way she treats him is a beauty to behold. If just one child takes that example and learns from it it will make this entire writing effort more than worth it. It also has a short section at the back of the book called "Secrets for Your Diary". It contains study questions that are like diary entries and each one has a short note from the main character, Kate, below it. It fits in very well with the book and I think it's on point for the targeted age group. This book has a little drama and a whole lot of adventure to keep the reader engaged and kids will enjoy it. I know I couldn't put it down!
In her classic writing style, Miralee Ferrell weaves together a story to captivate the reader while imparting family values and offering Biblical insight to the issues at hand. This is Miralee's first attempt at writing for a young audience but, as a fan of her previous works, I have to say that she not only stepped out of the box but she excelled at it. If you have a child, grandchild or know the child of a friend that has a fondness for horses you can't go wrong by buying this book!
Disclaimer: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book from the author for my honest review. -
The first part of this review is from my daughter and will be followed by my review as a mother.
I really liked this book so I rated it at 4 stars. I learned so much about autism and had never heard of it before reading this book. My favorite character was the main character's younger brother, Pete, because he likes things so tidy and cared so much for his sister's happiness. In the end, I was so happy and excited knowing how happy he would be as he learned that his sister's dream had come true.
As a mother, I was extremely impressed by the overall theme and Christian message of the story. I loved this story and was very touched by the events and behaviors of the characters throughout. This is a wonderful book for young girls that displays the importance of Christian values and actions though it isn't the forefront of the story. It's about a girl, friendship, and a shared loved for animals.
I was also thoroughly impressed by the awareness it gave and the approach to autism (It could've been any other illness or condition as well). It displayed understanding, knowledge, and compassion which I believe is an excellent thing to show young readers who will become aware of some of the harshness in the world. The subject was handled so delicately and explained perfectly the obstacles and the conditions like this can present for a person as well as how it affects their surrounding family and friends. This book preached love, compassion, and faithfulness, and I just LOVED that!
It was a wonderful feeling to be included in the reading of this book with my daughter as we could both experience the story from a mother-daughter relationship and perspective. It is an absolutely wonderfully done novel. I just can't praise it enough. I'm so glad to see novels like these around to spread excellent morals for young and impressionable children! Both my daughter and I can't wait for the sequels. :-D -
Riding High Seventh-grader Kate Ferris and her family have just moved to Odell, Oregon, and Kate is less than enthusiastic. However, as she settles into her new home, she begins to realize that perhaps her family’s new situation isn’t as bad as she thought. Living on an old farm seems to be the perfect opportunity for Kate’s dream of getting a horse of her own to come to fruition, but things aren’t always that easy. Kate learns to have patience and faith and discovers that sometimes, even when things work out differently than we’d hoped, God has our best interests at heart. “A Horse for Kate” is the first book in a new contemporary children’s fiction series by acclaimed Christian author Miralee Ferrell. With a target audience of 9-12-year-olds, this series will nevertheless appeal to readers and horse lovers of all ages. Mild conflict adds excitement and plot-driven tension to the story, while believable and sympathetic characters round out the novel. Furthermore, gentle forays into ethnicity and autism, as well as an interactive afterword section, serve to make this book very apt for modern readers. Fans of such classics as “Black Beauty” and “Misty of Chincoteague” will rejoice to find a new, clean, noteworthy series for readers young and old. I was given a complimentary pdf copy of this story in return for an unbiased review.
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Title: A HORSE FOR KATE
Author: Miralee Ferrell
Publisher: David C. Cook
March 2015
ISBN: 978-078411141
Genre: Tweener
Reviewed by: Jenna
A horse of her own would be awesome. But Kate figures that might be a long way away, especially since she had to give up riding lessons and move to her late grandfather’s farm. Besides, it would be a lot more fun to have a best friend to ride with.
When Kate discovers a barn on their new farm that’s perfect for a horse, and a dusty bridle too, she starts to think that her dream might come true. Then she meets Tori at school, who is totally the best. So when they discover a thoroughbred that appears to be all alone, could it be the answer to her prayers?
Maybe. If she can convince her dad ... and figure out what’s going on with that horse.
A HORSE FOR KATE is an awesome book that teaches patience and the importance of family. Kate really wants a horse. There’s one she wants but someone else owns it. She doesn’t think the horse is cared for well because the mane is knotty and the fur is matted and the hooves needed clipped.
I wanted Kate to be able to get a horse, and I really hoped the horse wasn’t really abused, and that it would be taken care of.
I recommend this book for anyone who likes to read about horses, or wants a horse. Great book. 5 stars.
Available in ebook and paperback. 240 pages. -
Kate is a thirteen year old that has just moved to her grandfather's farm. When she discovers an old barn on the property she begins thinking that maybe she will finally get her heart's desire, a horse. If only her parents agreed.
I loved the story and found myself also wishing Kate could have her horse. This was a great story that emphasized the importance of honesty and respect. I loved all the characters, especially Kate, her autistic brother, Pete, and her new best friend. I appreciate the fact that the author gently introduced the concept of autism and the effect it has on the whole family. -
This is an incredible story for horse lovers.
I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Kate, her family, and her new friends. This is a great group of characters that Miralee has created. They are very believable and easy to relate to. Their interaction with each other is easy to understand and connect with.
I found the plot to be easy to follow. As the story progressed I saw growth and development in both Kate and her best friend Tori.
I received a free eBook copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion. -
Fun book with good values--for horse-loving middle grade girls
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Horse books are a dime a dozen, but don't stick around long. They have a limited audience so libraries don't tend to buy many copies or keep the copies on the shelves more than a year or two. My library has 40 branches and they never purchased the hard copy of this book. Most of their newer horse books are only available in ebook version.
That said, this book is a must for younger horse fans. It's a sweet story about a 13-year-old girl who wants her own horse. How many girls don't wish for that? There's no rivalry or unrealistic boarding school setting like the popular Crestwood Academy books. Kate's dad has lost his job so the family is moving into her grandfather's old farmhouse to save money. Kate can't believe her luck when she sees it comes with a huge horse barn. Now she just needs a horse. When her new friend, Tori, realizes how much Kate loves horses, she finds a job mucking stalls in exchange for free riding lessons. Meanwhile, Kate and Tori are secretly feeding the malnourished horse across the street. Kate will do anything to give this horse the life it deserves.
This book has Christian undertones. Kate acknowledges God in her life and prays for guidance. If you aren't religious, it doesn't interfere with the enjoyment of a good horse story, not to mention the outstanding family values. What parent doesn't want their kids getting a little dose of that in their reading? The horse related material covers animal rescue and kids working at a boarding stable. There's little bits of horse information such as how horse size is measured and the difference between English and Western riding. -
It's a little hard to put my finger on exactly what bugged me about this one. I appreciated the good family/friend dynamics, the message of doing the right thing even when it's hard, all the horse details, and the sympathetic portrayal of autism. But even though Kate came off as a pretty typical (and usually well-behaved) twelve-year-old, her constant nagging of her parents to get her a horse got under my skin, especially when she knew that the reason they couldn't afford one was because of her brother's special needs. I appreciated the fact that she didn't seem to resent Pete for that, and I understood her broaching the subject when she thought something had changed, but the way she kept begging and pleading every time she mentioned it, even when she knew it was hurting her parents, sort of tempered my sympathy for her. Also, even though her relationship with her parents was generally good, some of her attitudes bothered me--am I the only one who would have gotten in serious trouble for saying "whatever" to my parents at any age? It just didn't come off as respectful.
2.5 stars
Content--some disrespectful attitudes; kids agree not to tell a nervous mom about a near accident; some danger in dealing with unpredictable horses -
I thought this book was excellent!! I'm not a horse person by any means (I simply have had very little experience with them), but I became invested in Kate's archetypal "little girls love horses" world quickly and easily. I thought Kate was a great heroine; realistic as a child while still being a good role model. She was often impatient and considered doing the wrong thing from time to time to get what she wanted, but her faith and genuinely kind heart balanced her. Her little brother's autism was handled with the appropriate depth and sensitivity. You never doubted that the two kids loved each other in spite of the challenges they faced living together. It's a sweet, clean read, though I personally thought that Kate considering whether or not a boy was "hot" was a little inappropriate (I have an old soul; I never used that word to describe people even when I was a teenager). Her folks were portrayed as caring and responsible people, too. There are even instructions at the back of the book on how to make a horse cake! Overall, I highly recommend the book, especially if you know a Christian girl who loves horses!
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Although written primarily for young girls, I found the story quite interesting and feel the lessons in the book are good for girls and boys. A wonderful story about a twelve-year-old girl who has her heart set on getting a horse of her own for her thirteenth birthday, I believe anyone who likes horses would enjoy the story. Kate has a younger brother who is autistic. I was intrigued by his role in the story since I cannot recall ever meeting anyone with autism. Besides wanting a horse almost more than anything else, Kate wants to meet some new friends. The book communicates wonderful examples of how kids should respect their parents and other adults. Quite candidly, there are many parents who could benefit from reading this story to see how parents should interact with their kids. I highly recommend the book.
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Kate's father has lost his job and they move to her grandpa's farm where they can no longer afford for her to take riding lessons. You will feel for Kate as she faces a new middle school where she doesn't know anyone. Kate wants a horse so badly! She gets a job shoveling manure at a stable just to be around horses. Kate learns that sometimes God gives us our desires. I enjoyed reading this book for young people. I won the book in a giveaway. This is my honest opinion.
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I really did enjoy this story. There were just 2 things I wasn't thrilled about (possible spoilers)...It seemed that Kate was always feeling sick, or ready to hurl...thought that could have been tamed down a bit. And secondly, I was hoping to hear how the horse that Kate longed to own found it's way to her family's property. Other than that, I thought it was a good and fun read.
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Kate moves to Oregon and faces typical challenges (moving, making new friends, disappointments, an autistic brother) of a middle schooler. I liked this book myself, found entertaining and a good reinforcement of moral values. Especially liked the the recognition of belief in God, prayer, etc. Good Middle School read.
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The role models in the book are just a little too squeaky clean and perfect for my liking. The book seems aimed at quite a young audience - 3rd grade at most. I doubt that teens and pre-teens would relate to the wholesome family lives portrayed here, where everyone ends up doing the right thing. This is remote from the reality of most families.
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I am not exactly the target audience for this book, being far beyond the teen or preteen years, but I loved it anyway. I am putting the next in the series, Silver Spurs, on my To-Read list today.
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My third grader loves this sweet story about Kate and the horse. She enjoyed all the characters but her favorite was Pete (Kate's younger brother who has autism). A+ for a fantastic story and A+++ for raising awareness about autism.
