awakeClassics
National Velvet by Enid Bagnold
My Friend Flicka trilogy by Mary O'Hara
- My Friend Flicka
- Thunderhead, Son of Flicka
- Green Grass of Wyoming
Black Beauty: The Autobiography of a Horse by Anna Sewell
- Other authors have written books inspired by Black Beauty, such as the 'sequel,' Son of Black Beauty by Phyllis Briggs, and multiple books by Josephine Pullein-Thompson, Diana Pullein-Thompson, and Christine Pullein-Thompson, which I have not read.
The Black Stallion by Walter Farley
- Walter Farley wrote twenty Stallion stories. I've only read bits and pieces. (View the entire list at Wikipedia.) After finishing The Young Black Stallion, the twentieth book, his son Steven Farley then wrote The Young Black Stallion series.
Misty of Chincoteague books by Marguerite Henry
- Misty of Chincoteague
- Stormy, Misty's Foal
- Sea Star: Orphan of Chincoteague
- A Pictorial Life Story of Misty
- Misty's Twilight
Contemporary Series
Throughbred series by Joanna Campbell
- There were 72 books in the original line, plus Super Specials and the spin-off series, Ashleigh.
Heartland series by Lauren Brooke
- If you liked the TV series Caitlin's Way, you'll really like this series.
Saddle Club series by Bonnie Bryant
- This series had over 100 books, plus Super Specials and spin-off series like Pony Tales and Pine Hollow.
Pony Pals series by Jeanne Betancourt
- Shorter and easier reads than some of the other series listed here.
The Canterwood Crest series by Jessica Burkhart
- Eight titles, beginning with #1: Take the Reins.
Bonus: Mallory Pike, one of the members of The Baby-Sitters Club, was horse-crazy. She loved the Marguerite Henry books and spoke of them often. Pick up The Baby-Sitters Club #54: Mallory and the Dream Horse by Ann M. Martin to see Mal interact with her favorite animal.
I also want to recommend Me and Katie (the Pest) by Ann M. Martin, a story about sibling rivalry. While this is not part of a series, it is the sequel to an earlier novel, Stage Fright. I read Me and Katie (the Pest) over and over again when I was a kid.
Non-Fiction
You could fill a stable with all of the non-fiction books about horses. Since I've never even ridden a horse, though, I can't say which learn-how-to-ride books are the best to use. However, I really like the Eyewitness books published by DK. They have many fact-filled books about horses, including Visual Dictionary of the Horse and The Ultimate Horse Book (re-released as Ultimate Horse).
Recommendation from Suze, a close friend who is a true equestrian: "For older readers (teenagers/adults), I would recommend The Man Who Listens to Horses by Monty Roberts. Generally speaking, I find that the books on 'Horsemanship' have the most valuable information."
This booklist was created by request when Sara asked for a list of horse-related books for kids. If you have additional recommendations for this list or would like to request a booklist with another theme, please leave a comment below.
Flying Horse Farms
Thanks to Sara for bringing this organization to my attention. From their website:
Flying Horse Farms is a nonprofit organization committed to building a summer camp and year-round retreat center that inspires children with serious illnesses to reach beyond their diseases and embrace the healing power of unbridled fun!
This special place is located in the heart of the Midwest, Mount Gilead, Ohio. Situated on nearly 200 acres of gently rolling hills, lakes, woods, trails, meadows, and wetlands, Flying Horse Farms promises to help children and their families trade the restraints of hospital visits, blood transfusions, chemotherapy treatments, overwhelming stress, worry and fear with days of swimming, fishing, horseback riding, and nights of campfires and singing! All camp activities are designed to allow campers to experience success no matter what their disease or disability. The camp will focus not only on activities but also on building self-confidence, friendships and, of course, providing good old-fashioned fun... at no cost to the campers or their families.
[ . . . ]
Camp is not only a place for children who are terminally ill, but also a place where children who will survive their illnesses can grow and develop the skills necessary to thrive for the rest of their lives.
At Flying Horse Farms, these same children learn what they can do, not what they cannot do. Camp is a place where we focus on the possible, a place where kids can just be kids. Campers serve as role models for one another and begin to see themselves, often for the first time, not as victims, but as strong and capable leaders.
For more information, visit http://www.flyinghorsefarms.org/ and stop by Sara's blog, paying special attention to these two posts.
Sara is starting a library for the camp. Book donations are more than welcomed. Think of books appropriate for the age group which are related directly to camp and to horses. To quote Sara: "Fiction is also welcome, but at this time, we're concentrating on stories with horses in them. Once the camp is fully up and running, I'll add other fiction requests from the campers and counselors."
The address for donations:
Flying Horse Farms
225 Green Meadows Drive South, Suite A
Lewis Center, Ohio 43035
Click here to learn how to donate books to the Flying Horse Farms library or email Sara directly: email@saralewisholmes.com