Description
Harry is tired of being the tall new kid with red hair, big feet and freckles; the one with the dead sister whose voice follows her wherever she goes. Everyone says she’s imagining it, but she knows they’re wrong. If she was making Sissy up, wouldn’t she make her less of a pain?
When Harry’s wish for a horse comes true and Marksman comes into her life, she isn’t sure that the impressive horse is the one for her. She doesn’t need another challenge. But could he be just what she needs to learn the difference between standing out and standing up? This fantastic story for middle-grade readers will tug at your heartstrings.
Review
This is a wonderful middle grade novel that horse loving girls will devour!
After the death of Harry’s older sister, Sissy, the Gleeson family move to the country. But they can’t leave everything behind, and for tall red headed Harry this is particularly so, as she still hears Sissy talking to her - constantly!
Harry is an easy target for bullies, but we discover that sometimes bullies have their own demons. This is mostly a story of a ‘girl wishing for a horse’ and that dream coming true. It is also a story of an overprotective mother, who has already lost one of her daughters, and a family coming to terms with grief and learning how to move forward.
Harry is a great character and the connection she forms with her huge horse Marksman is fantastic.
With themes of loss, family, bullying, country life, courage and finding your place in the world, this is ideal for Year 5 to Year 8 girls.
Reviewed by Rob
