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Phantom Rider #1
Ghost Horse
Hating her new home in Arizona, twelve-year-old Callie finds her prospects changing when she glimpses a phantom horse outside her window and is drawn into its quest to be reunited with its ghostly owner
136 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
6 people are currently reading
683 people want to read
About the author
Janni Lee Simner
40 books466 followersJanni Lee Simner lives in the Arizona desert, where the plants know how to bite and the dandelions really do have thorns; in spite of these things--or maybe because of them--she's convinced she lives in one of the most stunning places on earth.
Janni has published four novels for young adults, the Bones of Faerie trilogy and Thief Eyes, and she wrote the script for the video game The Huntsman: Winter's Curse.
She's also published four books for younger readers--most recently Tiernay West, Professional Adventurer--as well as more than 30 short stories, including appearances in Cricket magazine and the Welcome to Bordertown anthology.
Janni has published four novels for young adults, the Bones of Faerie trilogy and Thief Eyes, and she wrote the script for the video game The Huntsman: Winter's Curse.
She's also published four books for younger readers--most recently Tiernay West, Professional Adventurer--as well as more than 30 short stories, including appearances in Cricket magazine and the Welcome to Bordertown anthology.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
March 7, 2016
This is the book that really cemented love of reading for me. I'd enjoyed reading before it, but after Ghost Horse, I was hopelessly obsessed. :) I remember getting the little Scholastic leaflet in middle school, spotting this book's cover, and thinking, "This is the best thing I've ever seen." I had to have it. Luckily my mother, despite being a single parent and working hard to make ends meet, happily supported and encouraged my reading habit by buying me my own books (our local library branch was very far away and my school didn't have one). The book itself was full of mystery, wonder, and beauty. I loved it. I remember passing it along to my best friend and starting what became our mutual obsession. :)
It was after Ghost Horse that I had to read any book with a horse on the cover. I made my way to Marguerite Henry's Misty of Chincoteague books, then Walter Farley's Black Stallion books, Joanna Campbell's Thoroughbred series, the only limitation of which was the inventory at our local Crown Books. :) It was a short step from there to Mercedes Lackey and her horse-like Companions in the Valdemar series that made me a fantasy fan for life!
It was after Ghost Horse that I had to read any book with a horse on the cover. I made my way to Marguerite Henry's Misty of Chincoteague books, then Walter Farley's Black Stallion books, Joanna Campbell's Thoroughbred series, the only limitation of which was the inventory at our local Crown Books. :) It was a short step from there to Mercedes Lackey and her horse-like Companions in the Valdemar series that made me a fantasy fan for life!
December 27, 2015
Reread pending...
My dad's wife decided at one point to stop patronizing regular libraries (thankfully that phase didn't last long), and she started going to this tiny religious library/second hand store. It was weird, but they had books I hadn't read before.
This was one the books available, and supposedly had a religious theme. I don't remember that. I do remember the girl taking off in the middle of the night, and thinking about how much trouble I would be in if I tried the same thing. Book families are always so much more understanding, it seemed.
But this was similar enough to The Black Stallion books for me to enjoy. Fortunately, though, by the time I was through most of the limited books available, we were back in the public libraries.
My dad's wife decided at one point to stop patronizing regular libraries (thankfully that phase didn't last long), and she started going to this tiny religious library/second hand store. It was weird, but they had books I hadn't read before.
This was one the books available, and supposedly had a religious theme. I don't remember that. I do remember the girl taking off in the middle of the night, and thinking about how much trouble I would be in if I tried the same thing. Book families are always so much more understanding, it seemed.
But this was similar enough to The Black Stallion books for me to enjoy. Fortunately, though, by the time I was through most of the limited books available, we were back in the public libraries.
October 26, 2024
I was thinking back a few years ago to books I had read as a kid and I remembered one about this white ghost horse this girl would see outside her room at night. The setting was out west, maybe Arizona.
I don’t remember much about the plot, or what happened in the end, but I think this was one of the more better books I read when I was young. I loved reading books about horses, and a little mystery thrown in made it all the better!
3 stars
-Reread 2024:
Bumped down from 3 stars to 2. Really more like 1…
I don’t remember much about the plot, or what happened in the end, but I think this was one of the more better books I read when I was young. I loved reading books about horses, and a little mystery thrown in made it all the better!
3 stars
-Reread 2024:
Bumped down from 3 stars to 2. Really more like 1…
July 6, 2024
So this was the first larger book I had ever read without pictures as a kid. I have ADHD and I despised reading when I was younger. I was in fourth grade and they were adamant I start reading. I had a mild obsession with horses and ran into this book in the library. I was probably 8-9 years old though I can’t remember exactly or the exact date/year. I wanted to write this review and share how this book changed reading for me. I was a kid who hated it and this book showed me how fun and passionate it could really be. I love fantasy and books like this to this day. Thank you so much for opening that part of the world up to me when I was so young and stubborn. 100% recommend to kids struggling to want to read who also love horses and fantasy. Thank you again!
August 13, 2017
Children's book. A family moves from Long Island to Arizona and the youngest daughter, 11 years old, doesn't like it one bit. Weathers too hot, what was formerly a green lawn is now brown since grass won't grow, and scorpions too. Her love of horses help her adjust as they are near a riding stable but than she is forbidden to ride anymore by her parents. This is when the Ghost Horse enters her life. Great story.
November 21, 2016
Satisfied a horse-crazy 7-yr-old who says he would have given it 5 stars. Interesting backdrop of the Arizona desert had us googling Palo Verde and Saguaro. The climax was quite gripping and the paranormal element held our attention through the day to day family drama. I would have loved this book as a young tween or teen. Probably should add a star...
October 27, 2009
Read this to my niece in one read. It was a cute book and as long as you are ready for a quick read it is the way to go. My niece loved it, so if you want a good book for a horse lover between the ages of 7 and 10 you've got one here with this book.
July 26, 2011
Fantasized about riding this horse for hours as a little girl. It belonged to my kid sister and I was constantly trying to trade her things for it, but I suspect she said no just to see me squirm. Eventually, I just stole it.
TAKE THAT, KYLIE!
TAKE THAT, KYLIE!
March 15, 2012
I remember reading this book when I was younger. It was also the first book to make me cry. This is a great story and I remember it to this day. Ghost Horse made me want to read more growing up and I'm glad I did read it.
January 19, 2013
One of my favorite books still! I read this as a little girl and all I could think about is riding a horse through the desert and I still do. I have always been really into horses and I love the Arizona and New Mexico desert myself, so this book was amazing to me.
Read
March 5, 2014this book was great because... a girl has to get used to living in hot Arizona and she meets a ghost horse that helps her and Callie [the girl] loves horses. the ending was also really good. read more to find out.
-thediamondback
-thediamondback
April 8, 2016
I have to give this book 5 stars on principle. When I was in fifth grade, my teacher had this book in his library for his students to read. I was not a reader, but he told me to take it home and read it over summer. This book sparked my love for reading (now I work in a library!)
October 1, 2008
This is book what SO incredibly good! When I first picked it up, honestly I thought it would be a dumb kid book. But as I started reading, it got more and more interesting!
October 1, 2008
I read this when I was young and it made me want a horse of my own even more! It was a cute story.
July 8, 2011
I read this book when I was a child, I fell in love with it and still remember it today..brings back memories of my childhood :) I would like to pick it up again sometime :D Good read.
February 11, 2024
What a great series! I could never understand why this one stopped. As a young girl I just loved the idea of a magical ghost horse coming to my window secretly in the middle of the night!
August 17, 2011
Generally entertaining books set in the desert of Arizona. Great for young readers, especially those with an interest in horses.
July 7, 2015
I read this book when I was younger (and obsessed with horses) and really enjoyed it. Its among on of my favourite books even today.
July 2, 2013
An enjoyable book for children and adults alike.
Star though silent is beautiful; a refuge for children across time and space.
Star though silent is beautiful; a refuge for children across time and space.
August 5, 2015
I adored this book when I was younger! I've always loved horses/animals and this story was enchanting to me. Just reread it yesterday for fun.
June 2, 2016
I used to read this book over and over as a pre-teen and absolutely loved it. I only had 2 but I need THEM ALL right now because I loved them hahaah
August 3, 2024
Tagged "talking animals" for the "seemingly telepathic horse" vs. a Bugs Bunny character.
Anyway, I guess I read Ghost Cat, so I guess it was time for Ghost Horse! (Haven't found Ghost Dog or Dinosaur Ghost yet, haha...) Unlike the ghost cat, though, the ghost horse actually plays a major part of the story, becoming the catalyst for change in a family that has problems listening to the one who's given the least voice.
Frankly, the book started off horrible, to me. I may be spoiled in having never once (remembered having) moved until I moved out of the house for good as an adult, but the fact of an aggressively antagonistic older sister combined with a LONG road trip from New York, of all places, to almost literally nowhere but vaguely near Tucson (possibly actually Tucson, but on the fringes, if so) plus not getting to call dibs on the bedroom that's NOT filled with dust, mould, and boxes of junk sounds like the recipe for running away from home to me. (As an older reader, I know that would be an overreaction, but perhaps I remember being that age all too well to sympathise with the seeming unfairness of it all.)
Mind you, the not-empty bedroom is significant, and it plays an important part later in the whole "Please listen to me, because I just want to feel heard" reckoning, but until the ghost horse (Star) shows up and helps Callie—sort of—find her way to using her words,* it feels like a major overkill of dumping onto the main character to make her more sympathetic.
I guess that's a long way to say, I didn't like the book until most of the way through, when it was clear it wouldn't just be another, "You thought you wouldn't like Arizona, but you LOVE it now!" kind of story. Nah, I'm pretty sure she at best tolerates it and would absolutely move back to New York (or at least somewhere a little more temperate) once she grows up and moves out. I wouldn't blame her for at least finding SOME happiness while she's there, though.
Recommended for young readers stuck having to move! Horse readers might like this, too, though riding a REAL horse is definitely not the same as riding a telepathic ghost horse, haha.
*AND making mature decisions, such as realising that throwing things in a tantrum DID make her "act like a child" like she hated being accused of doing
Anyway, I guess I read Ghost Cat, so I guess it was time for Ghost Horse! (Haven't found Ghost Dog or Dinosaur Ghost yet, haha...) Unlike the ghost cat, though, the ghost horse actually plays a major part of the story, becoming the catalyst for change in a family that has problems listening to the one who's given the least voice.
Frankly, the book started off horrible, to me. I may be spoiled in having never once (remembered having) moved until I moved out of the house for good as an adult, but the fact of an aggressively antagonistic older sister combined with a LONG road trip from New York, of all places, to almost literally nowhere but vaguely near Tucson (possibly actually Tucson, but on the fringes, if so) plus not getting to call dibs on the bedroom that's NOT filled with dust, mould, and boxes of junk sounds like the recipe for running away from home to me. (As an older reader, I know that would be an overreaction, but perhaps I remember being that age all too well to sympathise with the seeming unfairness of it all.)
Mind you, the not-empty bedroom is significant, and it plays an important part later in the whole "Please listen to me, because I just want to feel heard" reckoning, but until the ghost horse (Star) shows up and helps Callie—sort of—find her way to using her words,* it feels like a major overkill of dumping onto the main character to make her more sympathetic.
I guess that's a long way to say, I didn't like the book until most of the way through, when it was clear it wouldn't just be another, "You thought you wouldn't like Arizona, but you LOVE it now!" kind of story. Nah, I'm pretty sure she at best tolerates it and would absolutely move back to New York (or at least somewhere a little more temperate) once she grows up and moves out. I wouldn't blame her for at least finding SOME happiness while she's there, though.
Recommended for young readers stuck having to move! Horse readers might like this, too, though riding a REAL horse is definitely not the same as riding a telepathic ghost horse, haha.
*AND making mature decisions, such as realising that throwing things in a tantrum DID make her "act like a child" like she hated being accused of doing
February 18, 2021
I rarely pick up books with a supernatural theme anymore, but this book was in a lot of books at my local bookstore when they were closing down, and I wanted the horse books. This one was mixed in. At first, I thought the book was called Ghost Horse because it was white and looked like a ghost. It became apparent that the horse was actually a ghost when only Callie could see Star...
Callie didn't want to move to Arizona. It's so hot, dry, there is no grass or trees. Her sister is mean to her. Her room is dusty and full of the previous owner's stuff. And then, she meets Star and Star helps her not feel so miserable and alone anymore. Someone finally understood Callie. There were times I cringed at Callie's behavior, but it was all in character and I felt for her. :)
I loved the writing style. There was one part near the end that was... not what I expected at all. The supernatural element kicked up a notch and I wasn't prepared for that. 😅 But overall, I enjoyed reading this book and getting some of Star's backstory as well.
Callie didn't want to move to Arizona. It's so hot, dry, there is no grass or trees. Her sister is mean to her. Her room is dusty and full of the previous owner's stuff. And then, she meets Star and Star helps her not feel so miserable and alone anymore. Someone finally understood Callie. There were times I cringed at Callie's behavior, but it was all in character and I felt for her. :)
I loved the writing style. There was one part near the end that was... not what I expected at all. The supernatural element kicked up a notch and I wasn't prepared for that. 😅 But overall, I enjoyed reading this book and getting some of Star's backstory as well.
September 21, 2023
My favourite book when I was 11 years old. A good story with age appropriate mystery, "realistic" life problems for our young heroin, and a little ghostly magic to help her through her trials and adventures. I highly recommend this to all my nieces when they turn 10ish. I think it would also be great for boys or any gender or nongender who loves horses and the idea of an "old West story" meets a more modern world.... Well it was modern way back when I was 11 anyway. Haha!
December 26, 2023
Re-read date: 12/25/2023
A re-read after... maybe twenty-five years? Found this and the sequel in my stash recently and thought I'd read it again since it was a childhood favorite. It's definitely a children's book ("oh my family is so mean to me!" and "I never get what I want!", etc), but it was a fun, nostalgic read that reminded me I loved horses in middle school.
A re-read after... maybe twenty-five years? Found this and the sequel in my stash recently and thought I'd read it again since it was a childhood favorite. It's definitely a children's book ("oh my family is so mean to me!" and "I never get what I want!", etc), but it was a fun, nostalgic read that reminded me I loved horses in middle school.
December 24, 2018
I enjoyed this book more than I had expected! Not gonna lie I would actually read the next book, lol. It made me feel real emotions, which is surprising considering I’m far over the target age group. Giving it to my younger sister!
September 5, 2019
I picked this book out of my elementary school library because the main character's name was Callie, just like me. I remember reading this book like a maniac and loving it, then forgetting the name of the book and having it haunt me for years. So glad to have found it again!
January 24, 2019
I read this in 3rd grade
May 20, 2019
I love this it's full of adventure and horses it's a great book!😍
March 10, 2022
Loved this book as a preteen. Stuck with me and I’m looking forward to sharing it with my children.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews