Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 4-6-Twelve-year-old Joni lives on a sheep farm with her family and her spirited horse, Archie. Joni's family lives a simple life, shearing sheep, making cheese, and taking care of their farm. Joni often feels left out, even at horse camp. When Chess moves in next door, it seems like Joni will have a built-in friend. Chess, however, is different from anyone Joni has ever known: Chess is a vegan and an animal rights activist. When she questions Joni about eating cheese, whether the sheep are happy, or if Archie wants to be ridden, Joni must think about things in an entirely new way. When Chess releases a neighbor's miniature horses, one of the horses becomes injured. Joni has to decide how to stand up to her new friend and still maintain the friendship. Haas is an expert on all things horse and farm, bringing authenticity and informative details to her novels. Joni is a relatable character, and the themes around animal rights and sustainable farming are timely. VERDICT A great read for kids who like horses and/or are environmentally conscious. Recommended to fans of Pam Muñoz Ryan's Riding Freedom.-Terry Ann Lawler, Burton Barr Library, Phoenix © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Joni is looking forward to summer on her familys Vermont sheep dairy farm, riding her headstrong pony Archie, volunteering at the local horse rescue, and going to 4-H summer camp. Theres even a new girl from California who has moved in down the street, and Joni hopes they might be friends. But the new girl, Chess, has some strong opinions about animal welfare. Shes a vegan, and her family doesnt believe in keeping captive animals. Most worrying of all, she thinks the two healthy miniature horses who live next door, old Mrs. Abernathys driving pair, need to be rescued. When Chess does take action, her ignorance about horse care endangers the objects of her misplaced compassion. Through the sometimes-strained friendship that grows between the two girls, Haas explores many views on animal welfare, from mindful eating to sustainable farming to working animals to animal rescue. Each perspective is offered with minimal editorializing, allowing readers to decide for themselves what they think is reasonable. The storys thoughtful examination of the mutual dependency between animals and humans will engage animal lovers and ethicists alike. anita l. burkam (c) Copyright 2018. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A Vermont farm girl's new friend fights for animal rights.Joni, a 12-year-old white girl, loves the quiet and calm of her family's sheep farm; she loves riding her pony, Archie, after school. But her best school friends don't live nearby, so when a new girl, Chess (also white), moves into a house Joni passes on her rides, she's intrigued by the possibility of a new friend. Chess loves Joni's horse, kittens, and sheep, but she asks uncomfortable questions: don't the sheep mind being shorn? Milked? Eaten? Joni doesn't know how to answer, but she does challenge Chess' interpretation of her neighbor's treatment of her miniature horsesChess is certain their muzzles, which restrict them from overgrazing, are cruel, while Joni knows they keep the animals safe on lush pasture. When Chess steals the minis and sets them free to eat, the near disaster challenges their budding friendship. Chess' back story is muddled, so readers are not entirely sure how she came to her positions, and some of the characterizations are unclear, but Joni's first-person voice is fresh and true. As always, Haas knows her horses, and she explores the issue of animal rights with sensitivity to both sides.A satisfying read. (Fiction. 8-12) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
