The Midnight Horse

Sandy Lanes Stables #4

by Michelle Bates

The fourth book in the Sandy Lane Stables series. Riding at the Hawthorn Horse Trails is all that Kate has dreamed of and this year she's in and has a real real chance of winning. It seems that nothing will distract Kate from her goal--until the mysterious midnight horse rides into her life.

Genres: Horses, Childrens, Animals, Chapter Books

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1900

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Reviews

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Midnight is a black halfbred horse which is a very good honest competitor, and he deserves far better treatment than he gets in this story. I am sure he would actually have been sold for a lot of money to bring on a good young rider. But young Izzy schemes to end up in charge of him when his owner moves to Australia. Karen is already at Sandy Lane stables when Midnight arrives. Karen already rides the best stable horse, Feather, and is set for an one day event competition. But she'd rather ride the shiny new toy. Izzy wants to enter the same event to win Midnight's livery money. Hence a rivalry develops.

Mixed feelings about this book. I can't believe all this would happen to girls under twelve. Maybe they'd like it to, but Riding Clubs are only open to over sixteens and Pony Clubs don't take horses; eventing competitions are segregated as to rider age and size of pony; and under twelves are not allowed ride horses in competition nor in most riding stables. They would be okay on a 13.2 pony. Not a halfbred horse.

One of the girls, Izzy, lies to her parents and forges a letter from her father, lying to the owner of Midnight. She lies to everyone and should not be rewarded for her actions. I'm not saying everything goes well for her, but if she was over twelve she could be facing criminal charges. Izzy's father, far from explaining this when he finds out, decides to keep deceiving her mother. How likely is that?

Good description of colic. Not enough mentions of wearing hard hats, I don't think I saw one.

This is an unbiased review.

[Madi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that the theme of this book is that you should never judge people just on their first appearance and those people may just become one of your best friends.

[Zanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book is so bonkers like what is WITH these girlies pulling off mildly illegal acquisition of horses!! and how come the opportunity never presented itself to ME!

[Elsa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book!

[Tarissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book of the Sandy Lane Stables series focuses on two girls, Izzy and Kate, and their roles as the plot takes shape. I liked how the author created this book to flip back and forth between the two girls' perspectives. Much of the story revolves around how the two young riders interact with each other.

Kate wants to be the representative of Sandy Lane Stables at a local horse show. Izzy wants to keep and ride a horse that really isn't hers, but devises a way to keep the full story of Midnight a secret.

To properly review this title, I'll have to say that there is one thing I don't like --- which is the lies and deceitfulness displayed while Izzy tries to keep a big secret from her parents. Some parents disapprove of their kids reading of bad behavior like this.

Overall, a fun horse story. Girls especially will love this series.

[Varsha Seshan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not one of those books that you can enjoy at any age. When I was a child, I would have enjoyed it far more. It's a feel-good book, quick and light.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little story of a girl and what she'll do to keep her horse. My daughter loved it!

[Douacee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good