Book Review by Mollie

A Rider's Year.
by Diane Redmond.


How easy was it to get into this book?
Very! The story follows a young enthusiastic rider named Polly Styles who, along with her best friends Ella and Vida, attends the local riding school which she lives next to.

Polly is a very tall girl and all the ponies at the stables are either too old for the height Polly is jumping, or too small. She only recently grew out of the biggest pony, the pretty palamino, Moly, but her luck changes when a handsome 14.2hh chestnut, is bought at the auctions as a reject by Polly's favourite instructor, Miss T.

Polly falls in love with him and is sympathetic for the abuse he received in the past. Polly names the chestnut Jack The Lad. She discovers his fantastic jumping potential Jack is very skittish and has a habit of bolting and rearing.. What is Jack's fate? Read this great book to find out!


Who were the main characters?
The main characters were Polly, Ella, Vida, Miss T, Jack, the handsome chestnut pony, Moly, the pretty palamino, Shalimar, the gorgeous bay, Polly's parents and Toby.

What was the story-line?
Polly's handsome chestnut gelding, Jack the Lad is trouble from the start. But he has an amazing jumping potential. High-spirited he may be, but safe he is not and nobody is sure how long their luck will last. Will Polly be allowed to keep him or will he be sold to the highest bidder?

Other books by the author? The Newcomer, and Tough Going.

Overall verdict?
A fantastic read, a real page turner. I really enjoyed this book, a must for anyone who is 8-13 years old.
5/5 rating for me.

Review written by Mollie C when she was 10 years old.