Reading Metrics
Description
Stevie is accused of sabotaging another rider in an important race.
Quick Summary
If your kid loves horses, mysteries, or stories where they have to prove they didn't do something awful, this one's for you. Stevie gets blamed for sabotaging another rider right before a big race, and the tension of trying to clear her name while everyone thinks she's guilty keeps you turning pages. What makes it stick with you is how real the friendships feel Stevie has to figure out who really sabotaged the race, and she learns the hard way that trust can be tricky when people's egos and competition are involved. It's got that satisfying middle-grade vibe where the kid actually gets to solve the problem herself, and there's a nice mix of horse world drama and a mystery that isn't too scary but definitely keeps you guessing. Parents will appreciate that it deals with honesty, standing up for yourself, and how rumors can spread, all without getting preachy about it. If your reader liked "The Best Ride Ever" or any of the Saddle Club books, they'll probably devour this one too it's got that same comfortable, reliable feel of a good horse story with a little extra edge. At around 27,000 words it's a solid middle-grade length that won't intimidate developing readers but still feels like a real story with actual stakes.