The Truth About Horses, Friends, and My Life As a Coward

School Library Journal: Gr 4-7–Though most girls love horses, Sophie has had only negative experiences with them. Mom had purchased a pony several years ago for Sophie's older sister to ride, but Really turned out to be a mean-spirited biter. Sweetheart, a trick-playing Arabian, and Fancy Free, a huge and intimidating Western Buckskin, were acquired soon after. Sophie is frightened of them. Though schoolmates at first befriended her to ride her horses, the truth about these particular critters soon gets out. Only stubborn Melissa, who is determined to ride Sweetheart, and Rachel, who has no interest in the animals, stick around long enough to become true friends. Sophie has a stubborn streak herself. Finding inspiration in heroes like Lawrence of Arabia, she dreams of galloping across the beach at her island home in Maine. She is determined, and, after numerous riding lessons, ultimately successful. Charming but infrequent cartoons accompany the text. Though there are some flaws with the pacing, the book eventually hits its stride. The horses' personalities shine through, and they become the real supporting cast. Sophie narrates her adventures with self-deprecating humor and genuine emotion as she faces her fears, confronts a bully, and learns the importance of self-reliance, and her well-developed character makes this short and sweet tale memorable.–Jane Cronkhite, San Jose Public Library, CA

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