Horse Crazy by Bonnie Bryant reviewed by Allison O.

Horse Crazy is the first book of the popular Saddle Club series written by Bonnie Bryant. This fictional book introduces the reader to Pine Hollow Stables and the girls who ride there. Pine Hollow Stables is the main setting of this story and is the place where serious horse lovers meet to do what they do best …. Ride! Pine Hollow is a place where traditions are very important to those who are members there.

My favorite character in this book is definitely Stevie Lake. She comes from a wealthy family but is not in the least spoiled. She just loves practical jokes. This is seen in the very first time she meets a new member to the stables, Lisa Atwood, and thought it would be funny to remove the stirrups from the horse she was about to ride so that she would be unable to mount him and join the others for a ride.

The story revolves around Stevie Lake, her best friend Carole Hanson, and the difficulties new comer Lisa Atwood encounters when she tries to make friends at the stable. Another portion of the plot focuses on the annual Mountain Trail Overnight campout which takes place for the students at Pine Hollow. The girls are all looking forward to going but some may have to work harder than others in order to go on this trip. We quickly learn that another trait that Stevie Lake possesses is determination. She finds out that, unless she improves her slipping math grade, her parents will not give her the money needed to go!

I enjoyed this book but did feel that the story line was predictable. I liked following the relationships between the three friends and how they changed throughout the book. Aspiring equestrians will love reading this book because it is full of detailed and accurate information on everything you ever wanted to know about riding and taking care of horses!