The Year of the Horse

This book was my favorite growing up. I read it when I was 7 or 8 and again and again and again. Somehow, I've lost my well-worn copy, but as soon as I find it again it will go up on my daughter's shelf for her to read, when she comes of age.

Joanna Longfellow narrates a year in which she is fifteen and sixteen. I found her sitting in her grandmother's old barn, where she told me about her family, her life, and her unhappiness. From there, she meets her grandmother's neighbor, John Holmes, son of wealthy Mr. Holmes of Holmwood Farms, and his beautiful show horse, Queenie. She goes with her brothers, Maxwell and Julian, to Mr. Archer's home, where Maxwell and Julian are taking care of the old man's horse and fowl while he is in the hospital. She learns to ride on Mr. Archer's horse, Horse, and falls in love with her. When she and her brothers learn Mr. Archer's nephew is going to sell Horse behind his back, the concoct a plan to rescue her. In the middle of keeping Horse safe from Mr. Archer's nephew, Joanna meets John again, and they are soon friends. Joanna and John envy each other their "perfect" lives. The Year of the Horse tells of how Joanna made a her own life something she could envy, with some luck. And how John did the same, defying his overly-strict father with, rather than luck, the extra courage he needed from Joanna. Diana Walker wrote an unforgetable story when she wrote The Year of the Horse. Joanna is like a friend, who I have been happy for, and sympathized for when she said or did something silly. And who I have yelled at when she said or did something stupid. She is ignorant, funny, has a bit of a short temper, and sensible. When she's sad, I'm sad. When she's happy, I'm happy. When she's nervous or panicking or just upset, I shake my head at how easily she becomes nervous or panicked or upset. You aren't left wondering about anything. Everything is settled, and everyone happy, when the Year ends in May. Reading this book, you see the Year through the eyes of Joanna, and it's great.