Pets Are for Keeps

Animal Inn #1

by Virginia Vail

When Gray Ghost, a champion show-jumper is injured in an accident, Mr. Merrill, his owner, wants the animal destroyed, but Valentine Taylor, the veterinarian's daughter, is determined to save the horse

Genres: Animals, Childrens, Fiction, Horses, Middle Grade, Juvenile

122 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

Reviews

[Rena Sherwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fast-paced start to this young adult series about the daughter of a veterinarian and a ballet dancer. I like that it's set in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where I lived for about 10 years. It's a good representation of those times before cell phones and before Lancaster County degenerated into a huge suburb of Philadelphia. Val is likable "everyperson" character that you wind up identifying with and caring very much about.

I also like that Virginia Vail wrote about a very common occurrence -- a champion horse being kicked to the curb because he can no longer win money or ribbons for his owner. The horse, next to Val, winds up being the best character in the series.

Although this book is aimed for kids, I first read this book when I was in my 20s (and bought a replacement copy when in my 40s) and enjoy it very much. Can't say the same for the rest of the series, but this one I'm glad I bought again.

[Meghan]

Val Taylor is an eighth-grade girl the really loves animals. Her dad is the veterinarian of Essex the town the live in. She loves to help out at the vet clinic Animal Inn. Val has always wanted a horse but she has never got one. So when Doc gets a call from Mr. Merrill the wealthiest horse owner in Essex she is so exited that she might be able to at least take care of a horse. The horse that got injured is The Gray Ghost, Essex's most famous jumping horse. Val gets very sad when she finds out that he is going blind and hurt his leg so he will never jump again. Mr. Merrill doesn't want anything to do with a horse that can't win and he wants Doc to put him down. But Val just can't let that happen.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Usually, I’m not really into animal stories, but this book series is a combination of humor, love, plot interest, and fashion:
pg. 37-38: Phillies baseball cap, yellow T-shirt, shorts,and high tops (Teddy)

pg. 38: leotard and ballet shoes (Erin)

pg. 45: jeans, flannel shirt, and red bandanna (Val)

pg. 51: sweatpants and T-shirt (Doc)

pg. 80: plaid skirt and white blouse (Val)
shirt, tie, and jacket (Doc)

Anyway, I can’t wait to read more about the lovable Taylor family and Val’s friends.

[Book - Dragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Mom read this when she was a kid an recommended it to me. I loved it!!
I used to want to be a vet (now not so much) so it was fun reading this.

[Aili · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeg elska den serien her!!!

[Lizzi Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this when I was about ten and loved it...

[Cws]

JF-Vai

[Kimverly]

many

[Twyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

animal inn was taking care of a horse.it was saved.Auryn 8yo

[Cinnamon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this series when I was in 5th and 6th grade.

[Karen E.]

It would be nice if I could open the book to read it so I can rate it.

[Libby Mcfarland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this series when I was a child. It helped me become a reader

[Tiff]

I'm beginning to think my 12-year-old-self had questionable taste in books...

[Get Booked Fans]

Episode 30:
6. Hi there!
Love the show! I am asking for reading recommendations for my 9 year old nephew. He’s a smart kid and a fast reader. He is OBSESSED with sports and he loves to write. He has just let us know that he wants to be a sports reporter when he grows up – and has even written an article for his class newspaper (which makes my little Journalism-major-heart flutter). He devoured the Treasure Hunter series books by James Patterson. I know Mike Lupica has a bunch of children’s books out – but I have not read any of them. The books don’t have to be sports related, but that’s definitely a plus. Any recommendations are appreciated!
Thanks!
Anne Wexler (aka – Auntie Anne)
Recommended by: Jenn