Starlight, Star Bright

These books are a must for all junior horse lovers. My granddaughter could not put the book/s down. Had to read whenever she could. Recommend buy all the series

Reviewed by April Sullivan for Reader Views (5/06) "Starlight, Star Bright" is the third book in the exciting Starlight Series. Miranda Stevens is in love with a horse named Starlight and wants to make him her own. When her friends Laurie and Elliot both get horses for their birthdays, she is the only one in her group of friends not to have one. So as we have come to expect from Miranda, she takes matters into her own hands. Miranda takes advantage of any chance she can get to be with Starlight when no adults are around. She becomes more and more daring by letting him out of his stall, putting a saddle on him, and eventually racing him around the track. Even though her friends think this disregarding of the rules is a bad idea, she continues to press her luck, going as far as being a bad influence to Mr. Taylor's grandson Elliot, when she is supposed to be babysitting him. Miranda's dreams of someday owning Starlight are looking more and more unlikely as Adam begins training him for racing. Adam was Chris' riding instructor and turned out to be an old friend of Miranda's deceased father. He has become hired on at the ranch to prepare the horses for racing. But if Starlight wins a race, Mr. Taylor will never consider selling him to Miranda. Adam and Miranda's relationship was strained to begin with, but becomes more volatile as Miranda disagrees with Adam's training style with Starlight. And things get even worse when she finds out he has proposed to her Mom! Janet Muirhead Hill's writing style continues to be consistent from book to book in this series. Beyond the main plot of Miranda and Starlight, we have several sub-plots catching our interest. Miranda enjoys living with her grandparents on their farm, but is having feelings of jealousy when she hears her mother is enjoying the company of other children working as a nanny and helping to raise her fiancé's daughter. There are also the struggles of the Langley's as they overcome the prejudices of the town toward their mixed race family. The book is not only rich in plot, it is also rich in setting. The opening sequence includes a vividly described trail ride through the mountains. And the illustrations by Pat Lehmkuhl add that extra touch. This third book in the Starlight Series ends with the exciting news that Miranda will be a partner in the ownership of Starlight. Questions that propel us into the fourth book include: Could Chris' horse Queen be pregnant due to Miranda's irresponsibility with Starlight? Is Miranda going to be able to accept Adam as her stepfather? Will the Langley's finally be accepted in this small Montana town?

This is the third book in a series about young Miranda Stevens and Starlight. Starlight is a two or three year old black stallion that has recently healed from serious leg wounds. Miranda wants nothing more than to own Starlight. It would ensure that the current owner, Mr. Taylor, would not someday part her from the beloved horse. Unfortunately, Starlight is so well recovered that Mr. Taylor is sure the horse can race. He has Adam, his trainer, begin training Starlight. However, Adam is mean to the horse so Starlight keeps bucking him off. Adam believes Miranda is spoiling the horse and keeps taking his anger out, verbally, on her. He refuses to believe Miranda could tell him anything that would aid him in training Starlight.Unknown to most, Miranda had been working with Starlight already. The horse was fully trained and ready to race. But Starlight's heart belonged to young Miranda, who seems to have a natural talent when it comes to handling horses.Very little is mentioned about school or classmates in the book this time. The author focuses more on dealing with the problems of racism. Racism is a very sensitive issue in the world today and Janet Muirhead Hill does an excellent job in showing that skin color does not matter. In fact, the author the shows how petty it makes many adults seem. As in the previous book, Adam and Miranda continue to clash. I believe the author is foreshadowing the next book with this situation.The book is perfect for anyone age eight or up who loves horses. It is clearly written out in a way young readers can easily understand and relate to. This is one exceptional series!

This is the third book in a series about young Miranda Stevens and Starlight. Starlight is a two or three year old black stallion that has recently healed from serious leg wounds. Miranda wants nothing more than to own Starlight. It would ensure that the current owner, Mr. Taylor, would not someday part her from the beloved horse. Unfortunately, Starlight is so well recovered that Mr. Taylor is sure the horse can race. He has Adam, his trainer, begin training Starlight. However, Adam is mean to the horse so Starlight keeps bucking him off. Adam believes Miranda is spoiling the horse and keeps taking his anger out, verbally, on her. He refuses to believe Miranda could tell him anything that would aid him in training Starlight. Unknown to most, Miranda had been working with Starlight already. The horse was fully trained and ready to race. But Starlight's heart belonged to young Miranda, who seems to have a natural talent when it comes to handling horses. ***** Very little is mentioned about school or classmates in the book this time. The author focuses more on dealing with the problems of racism. Racism is a very sensitive issue in the world today and Janet Muirhead Hill does an excellent job in showing that skin color does not matter. In fact, the author the shows how petty it makes many adults seem. As in the previous book, Adam and Miranda continue to clash. I believe the author is foreshadowing the next book with this situation. The book is perfect for anyone age eight or up who loves horses. It is clearly written out in a way young readers can easily understand and relate to. This is one exceptional series! *****

After reading the first two books in the Starlight series to my young children("Miranda and Starlight" and "Starlight's Courage," respectively), I was hooked on this series of horse adventures for middle-grade children, for my own enjoyment! "Starlight, Star Bright" is an endearing addition filled with adventure in a Rocky Mountain setting. Miranda is a young heroine whom has plenty of courage to handle the most difficult of real-life situations. We laughed and cried at her misadventures. All I can tell you is that the ending is one that you will love! It is difficult to find books for my children that teach them values, as well as make them ask for more as they begin to read- this series has both elements. We will definately be anxiously awaiting the previews of each new title that becomes available.