Blue Moon

Deborah Dowson is a Canadian children’s librarian living in Powell,
Ohio.

Bobbie Jo had been saving for years to be able to go to the auction to
buy a young colt that she could train into a champion barrel racer.
Instead, she ends up buying a skinny old mare that had been destined for
the meat packers’ plant. Although it seems at first that Bobbie Jo has
made the biggest mistake of her life, her loving care and careful
training reveal Blue Moon’s true nature. Bobbi Jo also discovers that
her beloved horse has strayed from her original owner, and she must make
a difficult decision. She does the right thing, and a happy resolution
for all concerned is found in the conclusion.

The cover photograph of a horse and rider in action suggest the kind of
energy to be found in this upbeat chapter book. Bobbie Jo is cheerful,
funny, tough, and persistent, and her sparkly personality is a pleasure
to get to know. Although she doesn’t recognize it yet, the annoying
Cole McCall is slowly and quietly becoming a love interest who adds a
touch of romantic sweetness and suspense to her life. There is a real
feel-good quality to this book that will appeal to horse-loving teenage
girls, and even the most reluctant reader will find the story accessible
and fun to read. Recommended.