Thirteen-year old Kate and her friends came up with the perfect way to raise money for her autistic younger brother and others to attend summer camp---a horse scavenger hunt! As local businesses donate money and prizes, Kate keeps the entry fees in her mom's antique jewelry box.
But when the box and the money disappear, Kate and her friends must unravel the clues, hold on to hope, and solve the mystery along the Blue Ribbon Trail Ride.
MY THOUGHTS:
I am always on the lookout for appropriate reading material for my children. My 9yo daughter loves to read and it is difficult to find books that I can approve. I was excited to check out Blue Ribbon Trail Ride, as my daughter has also hit that 'horse lover' age!
Very generously, the publisher sent me all four books of Miralee's Horses and Friends series, so though I only have to review the last book, Blue Ribbon Trail Ride, I read all of them to get a feel for the characters. I would recommend reading the first four books before picking up Blue Ribbon Trail Ride. It could be read by itself, but getting to know and understand the characters is best if you read the preceding books.
Blue Ribbon Trail Ride follows Kate and her friends as they come up with a grand idea to raise money to send Kate's autistic brother to camp. As the preparations are in full swing, the cash from the contestant's entry fees disappears! Kate and her pals, along with two new characters: Mouse and Jake, start sleuthing to find the culprit! As with any good mystery, it will keep you guessing page after page...and surprise you at the end!
As a girl, I would have thoroughly enjoyed these books.
As a mother, I have cautiously ok'd this series for my daughter. The themes of loyalty, true friendship, forgiveness, and hard work are great, though a child will most likely be interested in the slight mysteries involved in each book.
What concerned me most is some of the slang used in the stories. 'Hurl,' 'dweeb,' 'sissy,' 'dissed,' and referring to a boy as 'hot,' were some of the words I found inappropriate. I also didn't enjoy the many pop-culture references that occurred in book 4 by Jake. These references were of movies, songs, whatever that we have not watched in our home.
Aside from that, any horse-loving, reading girl will enjoy Kate's adventures.
That's what I thought! Click HERE to see what other reviewers are saying!
Thank you to Miralee and David C. Cook through Litfuse for sending me a copy to read and review!
Did you find my review helpful? Please rate it on Amazon and Christianbook.
**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**
