All bookseller links are provided so you can get more information about a book. We have affiliate relationships with Barefoot Books, Amazon.com, and Tapestry Books. All revenue generated from sales through these venues is used strictly to cover website costs and minimize donation requests and fundraising campaigns.
Perhaps over dinner, while you're running errands, or in another informal setting, share your reactions to things you... More
Summary: Turner Flint lives in a small house with her mom and big brother. Summer vacation is about to end, and that makes Turner sad. One day, Turner stumbles upon Glory, a delicate blue horse while going through the various toys in her bedroom. Glory and Turner venture to the enchanted town of Joya. Everything seems perfect. That is, until Turner learns about the Kermudgins, horrid beings who always find a way to ruin the fun. Turner grows concerned when she learns that these very self-centered being are going to invade her new-found secret haven, Joya. What will happen next? This is an illustrated fantasy featuring a young girl and her horse.
Type of Reading: family reading, anytime reading, independent reading, middle grade reader, read aloud book reluctant reader
Recommended Age: read together: 9 to 12; read yourself: 11 and up
Little Kid Reaction: Teen 1: This charming book is perfect for parents to read with their children, as both parties will find themselves equally entertained. It includes wonderfully descriptive language, and captivating sketches that give the reader a visual interpretation as the key events unfold. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a whimsical, yet powerfully engaging story. Your interest in this amusing tale will grow as the plot thickens. This well thought out, witty story gets nothing but praise from this reviewer. Teen 2: This book had more good bits than bad. I liked the outrageous ideas Ms. Chester had in her novel, though I thought some of them were hard to understand. For example, when trying to outwit a snake, Turner and the animals of Joya repeatedly said that Turner “had strawberries in her hair”. I wasn’t sure if they were referring to her hair color (red) or if she literally had strawberries in her hair. The author didn’t do a very good job of explaining whether it was true or just an idiom. I wish she had been a little clearer about that. Other than that, though, I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes horses or fantasy stories.
Big Kid Reaction: Review pending.
Pros: This is an enjoyable read that families can share together.
Cons: None.
Borrow or Buy: Buy. Parents will enjoy reading this as much as children enjoy hearing it.
Educational Themes: This is a fantasy story with life lessons for teens.
Notes: Flesch Kincaid reading level 6.8
Literary Categories: Fiction - animal stories, fantasy, adventure, series book
Date(s) Reviewed: March 2009
Other Reviews: No Critics' Reviews found. See reader feedback at amazon.com. We’re interested in your review. Please enter your Name (and blog in Parenthesis), then copy/paste your post link in the URL field. With a link exchange, we both benefit because interested readers can visit you too!
