Pages: 341
Intended Audience: Teens
Genre: real life
Notes for Parents: Contains some mature themes.
The Back Cover
For Alex Ford, dressage is an oasis. In the stable, he can slip into his riding pants, shed the macho cowboy image, and feel like himself for a change.
For Cleo O’Shea, dressage is a fresh start. She’s got a new boarding school, absentee parents, and, best of all, no one to remember her past.
When their paths collide, Alex doesn’t want to have anything to do with the privileged, overbearing girl, not least because she doesn’t seem to get how lucky she is to be riding horses all day. But when Alex can’t shake Cleo, he soon realizes she might be the only one who understands him. After all, keeping a secret is as tough as getting a horse to dance. Sometimes you need a little help.
What the cover doesn’t tell you:
The back cover says just enough.
What’s good?
This is a fresh and funny story about polar opposites who strike up an unexpected friendship. The excellent use of humour doesn’t distract from the serious issues, and no one issue overpowers any other. Strong characterization makes this a touching tale of two young people, neglected by their parents, who figure out for themselves how to be happy.
Best part: Del Magnifico le Noir – the name Alex gave his bicycle when he was six.
What’s not so good?
Cloe was hard to like, especially at the beginning. It wasn’t until I believed she sincerely cared about Alex that I was able to look past her attitude and appreciate the person she was. Also, if you’re not a horse lover, you may get a little tired of all the equestrian references. I, however, like horses just enough that I found it enjoyable.
Worst part: I didn’t like that Alex’s story was told in 3rd person and Cloe’s in 1st person.
Recommendation þþþoo
This was a good book. It was charming and sincere while still being courageous enough to tackle the tough issues. It’s a fairly easy, light read.
Juby, Susan. Another Kind of Cowboy. Toronto: HarperCollins, 2007.
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