Horse Dreams

“I believe you think you saw a horse.” Colt says. “And I believe you’re going to be in a mess of trouble if your dad has to go to school again because you were daydreaming.”

Book: Horse Dreams (Backyard Horses) by Dandi Daley Mackall, Tyndale House Publishers, 2011

Genre: Horse Stories/Realistic Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 10-13

Subjects: Relationship with parents, Prayer, Dreams

Summary: Horses. Beautiful, gorgeous show shores. Hamilton Royal Champion Showhorses. That’s what’s on Ellie’s mind – ALL THE TIME! She’s constantly in trouble for daydreaming about horses, especially at school. Her parents have been called into the office before about this problem. So when she interrupts the class to announce that she just saw a horse trotting down the street, right in front of the school, no one believes her, even though this is an ugly, scrawny paint. At least not until the horse is discovered by someone else! The horse is caught – by Ellie of course, but it can only remain at the local shelter for a short time before it needs to move on. In other words, it’s in desperate need of a good home. Too bad there’s no one around who wants a scrawny, ugly, paint.

Notes: The message in this story is about recognizing when your prayers get answered and realizing that God’s plans may not be the same as yours and may, in fact, be better. Ellie thinks she knows exactly what she wants, but what God decides to give her is a bit different, but just as special. There’s also hints of lessons about honoring your parents.

Recommendation Scale: 4/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi with help from Tracey

Ephesians 3:20-21 – Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.