Andi Saddles Up

Gr 1–3—Andi Carter's birthday dream comes true when she turns nine and is finally old enough to ride her horse, Taffy, around the family ranch on her own. However, Andi's older brother and head of the family, Chad, puts some firm limits on her new freedom. She is not to attempt to ride her horse while standing up, and she is to end her budding friendship with Sadie Hollister, the daughter of a land rival. Andi knows she should listen to Chad, but maybe her brother doesn't always know best. Illustrated with line drawings, Marlow's title is part of an early chapter book series about a young girl living on a ranch in the late 1800s. Andi and her family have obviously been through some tough times with the loss of her father (although that is not addressed in detail). The Carters rely on their Christian faith, hard work, and love to see them through. Andi is a likable enough heroine without being overly sweet, but there is little here to make this selection stand out among other early chapter books.