MWSA Review

Inspiration and Motivational! These two words and more best describe Ormond’s sequel to “Believing in Horses” titled “Believing in Horses, Too.”

A country whose children are engaged has a future. Sadie, the main character is the poster child for engaged. 

Thirteen going on 30! Wise beyond her years, focused, goal oriented, she will become a hero to all who read about her.

In a time where children are dismissed as unimportant, lazy or simply overly attached to their electronic world, Sadie demonstrates page after page what hard work and relentless effort can attain.

Parents, if your child’s school does not have this in their library, does not make it required reading you need to be “Sadie” at the next school board meeting.

Reviewed by: jim Greenwald (2014)

Author's Synopsis

Horse-crazy Sadie Navarro moves for the sixth time to Bowie, Maryland, only to find out her Navy dad is deploying to Afghanistan for a year.  To ease the transition, Sadie's parents reward her with her dream of a lifetime, her own horse.  “Lucky,” her beautiful tri-color pinto, quickly becomes her best friend and equine learning partner.  Via the internet, Lucky and Sadie come across ten horses in a holding pen waiting to be sold at auction, and Sadie commits to saving them before harm comes to them.

With the help of her new teacher and classmates, a Maryland State Delegate, a local Washington TV reporter, a mounted policeman, her family and other colorful characters, she pursues her mission and faces unexpected roadblocks, some very dangerous for both her and her horse.  Sadie faces head-on the challenges experienced by military families and demonstrates how young people can act to bring about change if they believe in what they are doing.  In just a few short months, Sadie meets both good and bad people, and experiences joy, fear, disappointment, self-doubt, lost horses, and a level of responsibility she has never known before.