Reading Metrics
Description
Krista is heartbroken when her father loses his job and she must move away from her home and beloved ponies, but when disaster strikes, Krista discovers that her magical pony Shining Star is never too far away to come to her rescue. Book #6
Quick Summary
If you know a kid who's obsessed with horses or magical animals, this one's right up their alley. Krista has to leave behind everything familiar when her dad loses his job, which is genuinely sad and something a lot of middle graders might relate to if they've ever moved or faced family money problems. The magical element comes through her pony Shining Star, who's got this mystical connection to Krista that lets her show up whenever things get really dire which happens when Krista finds herself in some genuinely dangerous situations. It's sweet without being overly mushy, and the fact that Shining Star is always just a thought away gives the story this comforting thread that makes the scary parts feel manageable. Kids who enjoyed other pony series like The Saddle Club or have a thing for animal fantasy will likely gravitate toward this one, and parents should know there's some real peril involved, but nothing too intense for the age range. At around 13,000 words, it's a quick, satisfying read that doesn't talk down to kids, and since it's book six in the series, finishing it might just make them want to grab the next one.