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Thoroughbred #11
Wonder's Sister
A horse for keeps?
Samantha McLean has been around horses all her life, but she's never had a horse of her own. So she's overjoyed when Ashleigh Griffen and Mike Reese give her Shining, the half sister of one of the greatest race horses of all time, Ashleigh's Wonder. It's her job to turn the sickly, neglected horse into a winner, and she's got her work cut out for her. Shining is stubborn and difficult, and it looks as though she'll never race.
Then a little girl named Mandy, who cannot walk, falls in love with Shining, and the filly's training suddenly improves. But as Shining prepares for her first race, Mandy's parents make Samantha a stunning offer. Must Samantha give up on the only horse she's ever owned?
Samantha McLean has been around horses all her life, but she's never had a horse of her own. So she's overjoyed when Ashleigh Griffen and Mike Reese give her Shining, the half sister of one of the greatest race horses of all time, Ashleigh's Wonder. It's her job to turn the sickly, neglected horse into a winner, and she's got her work cut out for her. Shining is stubborn and difficult, and it looks as though she'll never race.
Then a little girl named Mandy, who cannot walk, falls in love with Shining, and the filly's training suddenly improves. But as Shining prepares for her first race, Mandy's parents make Samantha a stunning offer. Must Samantha give up on the only horse she's ever owned?
187 pages, Paperback
First published September 18, 1994
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 23, 2024
I have issues with this book but it’s also not all terrible soooo…yeah, keep that in mind. 😆
I love how Shining is a rescue horse whose rehabilitation was done really well and realistically. However I was super bugged how they constantly kept saying how they’re glad they saved her because of her bloodlines and that’s the whole reason they bought her to begin with—why does that matter so stinking much? Can’t you just be happy that she’s doing better as a living being who was put through a hellish situation and forget her blasted bloodlines? It made the characters sound as snobby and petty as the Townsends. 😒 Also Samantha seemed only concerned if Shining would be well enough to become a racehorse—again, why? Can’t she just be happy if Shining can only be a pleasure horse because she, ya know, LIVED after her abuse? Gah, this was driving me batty throughout the whole book!
Then there’s the misrepresentation of therapeutic riding. So glad the author put this in the series, but she didn’t research it very well, if at all. If kids are in wheelchairs you don’t put them on a pony (a non trained therapy pony, I might add) by themselves without any side walkers (people who walk on either side of the horse to help and stabilize the riders)—you might be able to get away with this if the kids just had leg braces like a few do but not with the wheelchair bound ones because it wouldn’t be safe, ESPECIALLY since these aren’t trained therapy ponies! They also had these kids going over small jumps which is like seriously?! Again these kids can’t walk and don’t know how to ride very well, why are you risking them over small jumps?! Poles on the ground is one thing but jumping is a whole another thing you can’t just brush off like that—ugh, this almost annoyed me as much as Shining’s value! At least the ponies were led rather then having these kids control them on their own, so that’s something at least.
Last of all, why on EARTH would you even consider buying a two year old racehorse for your six year old daughter who can’t walk?!?!? Just WHY? This is downright the stupidest thing ever and I’m shocked Samantha even thought for one second to agree to it without first asking if the parents had lost their minds, because I for sure would have asked that!
It had good points but the lack of knowledge and the racehorse bloodline snobbery really left a bad taste in my mouth.
‼️Content‼️
Language: oh my God (2); gosh; oh my gosh
Sexual: kissing (not detailed); two very minor mild suggestive hints
Other: neglected horses; an abused horse is skin and bones
I love how Shining is a rescue horse whose rehabilitation was done really well and realistically. However I was super bugged how they constantly kept saying how they’re glad they saved her because of her bloodlines and that’s the whole reason they bought her to begin with—why does that matter so stinking much? Can’t you just be happy that she’s doing better as a living being who was put through a hellish situation and forget her blasted bloodlines? It made the characters sound as snobby and petty as the Townsends. 😒 Also Samantha seemed only concerned if Shining would be well enough to become a racehorse—again, why? Can’t she just be happy if Shining can only be a pleasure horse because she, ya know, LIVED after her abuse? Gah, this was driving me batty throughout the whole book!
Then there’s the misrepresentation of therapeutic riding. So glad the author put this in the series, but she didn’t research it very well, if at all. If kids are in wheelchairs you don’t put them on a pony (a non trained therapy pony, I might add) by themselves without any side walkers (people who walk on either side of the horse to help and stabilize the riders)—you might be able to get away with this if the kids just had leg braces like a few do but not with the wheelchair bound ones because it wouldn’t be safe, ESPECIALLY since these aren’t trained therapy ponies! They also had these kids going over small jumps which is like seriously?! Again these kids can’t walk and don’t know how to ride very well, why are you risking them over small jumps?! Poles on the ground is one thing but jumping is a whole another thing you can’t just brush off like that—ugh, this almost annoyed me as much as Shining’s value! At least the ponies were led rather then having these kids control them on their own, so that’s something at least.
Last of all, why on EARTH would you even consider buying a two year old racehorse for your six year old daughter who can’t walk?!?!? Just WHY? This is downright the stupidest thing ever and I’m shocked Samantha even thought for one second to agree to it without first asking if the parents had lost their minds, because I for sure would have asked that!
It had good points but the lack of knowledge and the racehorse bloodline snobbery really left a bad taste in my mouth.
‼️Content‼️
Language: oh my God (2); gosh; oh my gosh
Sexual: kissing (not detailed); two very minor mild suggestive hints
Other: neglected horses; an abused horse is skin and bones
May 11, 2025
I would probably tell you to read this. It was really good. I kind of forget what happens in it because I read it like like three weeks ago actually know three days ago sorry I burped anyway one second sorry I fart farted but the romance I actually don’t remember if this was in this book or the book I’m reading right now, but the romance between Samantha and tour, I literally was tweaking during school. My teacher actually came up to me and she asked me if I was OK. I was like yes I’m more than OK. I told her to go away because she rejected my gift. She low-key hates me one time. She literally was like June go over there and sit in the corner, cause I was writing my name on the paper I got put in time out. I don’t care though that’s like not true story I promise but nothing else matters except for That romance scene you should read it. I love I love you door.
June 2, 2015
Wonder's Sister is one of the stronger early titles of the Thoroughbred series. Shining comes through as a lovely horse with real spirit, easily winning the reader's hearts with her sweet nature and the trust Samantha builds with her. Mandy and the Pony Commandos provide a great subplot, and the bond between Mandy and Shining is touching. Samantha has become more mature than some previous books, fulling accepting of Beth, comfortable with her and Tor's relationship, and taking on more adult responsibilities. It's also great to see Pride come home and to catch up with previous equine stars like him and Fleet Goddess. The balance in this book is excellent, setting a great foundation for Sammy and Shining to take the spotlight.
May 10, 2014
Terrible.
I don't know how else to put it. Heart wrenching and illogical. Sets a bad precedent for the equestrian industry. Plus thoroughbreds are rarely suitable as therapy horses.
As a off the track thoroughbred owner myself I can verify how off base this is in so many ways. Does not live up to the expectation of Campell.
I don't know how else to put it. Heart wrenching and illogical. Sets a bad precedent for the equestrian industry. Plus thoroughbreds are rarely suitable as therapy horses.
As a off the track thoroughbred owner myself I can verify how off base this is in so many ways. Does not live up to the expectation of Campell.
January 14, 2015
Samantha becomes a full horse trainer and wins her 1st race with her one horse. I hope shining will be in more books. she has the same spark and her 1/2 brother wonder's pride. these books are always thrilling.
May 23, 2015
Ignoring the fact that Samantha was considering selling her 3 year old thoroughbred horse to a 7 year old girl, this was another excellent book. I love this series, even if it does push the boundaries of reality a fair bit!!
July 26, 2016
My copy is tattered because I loved this story so much!
April 30, 2015
A great series for tweens that love horses and/or are interested in horseback riding or racing. Teaches about the struggles of working with animals and the benefits.
July 25, 2024
Joanna Campbell (real bpname Jo Ann Simon) knew barely anything about horse racing, and it really shines like a hot spotlight here in Wonder's Sister.
Shining is constantly described as Wonder's half-sister, because Wonder and Shining share the same sire, Townsend Pride. That's not what a half-sister is in the jargon of the racing world. A half-sister would be if Wonder and Shining shared the same dam. That's a big difference, and would've been easy to check.
Another big problem is Shining's color, which is never clearly described during the course of the series. She's a roan. And not a misidentified gray, either, like 1988 Kentucky Derby winner Winning Colors. She's apparently a blood bay roan, which is not the color of the horse on the cover (keeping with the tradition of bad book covers in the series).
True blood bay roans are rare in many breeds, and nearly impossible to find in Thoroughbreds. This is rarer than a sabino Thoroughbred. Rarer than a true black.
And absolutely no one mentions even once that Shining's color is so rare. They just take it for granted. That would not happen in the real world. Shining would've been a celebrity even before her first race, just because of her color.
Again, something that wouldn't have been hard for Campbell to check out.
But why should she? She had no reason to, as her audience was assured. She apparently was making a lot of money at this time, despite the inaccuracies and ridiculousness of her previous 10 books.
She even can't remember the color of Fleet Goddess, star of her own books. She used to be a dark bay. Now, she's black. In this book, she has a foal with the appropriate name Fleeting Moment, since he's not really heard of again.
There are a few old friends that make reappearances, like Blues King, Mr. Wonderful, Sierra, Gregg and Yvonne. Old enemies also reappear, including Brad, Lavinia, and Lord Ainslie. Along with Shining, Rocky Heights is introduced. It's mentioned that the stable has only four stallions. Ah, the simple days. It's also mentioned that Wonder was to be bred to a stallion that apparently she was never bred to, since the stud is never mentioned again in the series.
The book is told from Samantha's point of view. This is her senior year in high school, and she has the energy of ten. There's no way a girl could do so much and be successful and mentally well-balanced. She's not only a student working at a successful racing stable, but she helps out with her boyfriend's riding stable.
It's like a fantasy series about how Thoroughbred racing should be. For many, the series was a guilty pleasure. This was one of the last books in the series to be a pleasant read, despite all of the ridiculousness.
EDIT: I just found an interview with Simon/Campbell online. She claims she was subscribed to three different racing magazines when she was writing the series. She also said she was burned out when she wrote this. Burn-out was why she quit the series.
Shining is constantly described as Wonder's half-sister, because Wonder and Shining share the same sire, Townsend Pride. That's not what a half-sister is in the jargon of the racing world. A half-sister would be if Wonder and Shining shared the same dam. That's a big difference, and would've been easy to check.
Another big problem is Shining's color, which is never clearly described during the course of the series. She's a roan. And not a misidentified gray, either, like 1988 Kentucky Derby winner Winning Colors. She's apparently a blood bay roan, which is not the color of the horse on the cover (keeping with the tradition of bad book covers in the series).
True blood bay roans are rare in many breeds, and nearly impossible to find in Thoroughbreds. This is rarer than a sabino Thoroughbred. Rarer than a true black.
And absolutely no one mentions even once that Shining's color is so rare. They just take it for granted. That would not happen in the real world. Shining would've been a celebrity even before her first race, just because of her color.
Again, something that wouldn't have been hard for Campbell to check out.
But why should she? She had no reason to, as her audience was assured. She apparently was making a lot of money at this time, despite the inaccuracies and ridiculousness of her previous 10 books.
She even can't remember the color of Fleet Goddess, star of her own books. She used to be a dark bay. Now, she's black. In this book, she has a foal with the appropriate name Fleeting Moment, since he's not really heard of again.
There are a few old friends that make reappearances, like Blues King, Mr. Wonderful, Sierra, Gregg and Yvonne. Old enemies also reappear, including Brad, Lavinia, and Lord Ainslie. Along with Shining, Rocky Heights is introduced. It's mentioned that the stable has only four stallions. Ah, the simple days. It's also mentioned that Wonder was to be bred to a stallion that apparently she was never bred to, since the stud is never mentioned again in the series.
The book is told from Samantha's point of view. This is her senior year in high school, and she has the energy of ten. There's no way a girl could do so much and be successful and mentally well-balanced. She's not only a student working at a successful racing stable, but she helps out with her boyfriend's riding stable.
It's like a fantasy series about how Thoroughbred racing should be. For many, the series was a guilty pleasure. This was one of the last books in the series to be a pleasant read, despite all of the ridiculousness.
EDIT: I just found an interview with Simon/Campbell online. She claims she was subscribed to three different racing magazines when she was writing the series. She also said she was burned out when she wrote this. Burn-out was why she quit the series.
July 1, 2020
A decent book, but too repetitive. Sammy is just given a horse, and she just happens to be related to Wonder, and just happens to bond to her and become an amazing racehorse despite extreme abuse. Seems awfully familiar. But Sammy and her friends are more developed and Shining is a fun horse.
And WHY DOES EVERYONE THINK GIVING A CHILD, NEW TO RIDING, A YOUNG RACEHORSE WHO IS JUST GETTING OVER TRAUMA IS A GOOD IDEA? Dumb plot line and luckily it’s resolved quickly with minimal impact (idk why it’s mentioned in the tag line and back of the book, it’s not the main point of the story at all).
And WHY DOES EVERYONE THINK GIVING A CHILD, NEW TO RIDING, A YOUNG RACEHORSE WHO IS JUST GETTING OVER TRAUMA IS A GOOD IDEA? Dumb plot line and luckily it’s resolved quickly with minimal impact (idk why it’s mentioned in the tag line and back of the book, it’s not the main point of the story at all).
June 14, 2018
Ganske søt og koselig bok.
October 6, 2025
Childhood favourite series (haven't read in a long time) giving all four stars unless it was a favourite as a child.
January 28, 2015
Grade: A
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews