What do you think?
Rate this book
Backyard Horses #3
Chasing Dream
Feisty fourth-grader Ellie feels the need to prove to the world that her Backyard Horse (Dream) is worthy of attention. Ellie arranges a race to show off her dream. But her world is shaken when her horse gets sick and she is forced to realize that she could very well lose her Dream.
160 pages, Paperback
First published February 17, 2012
67 people want to read
About the author
Dandi Daley Mackall
352 books296 followersA professional writer for over 20 years, Dandi Daley Mackall has written dozens of articles for popular magazines and published around 500 books for children and adults alike, with sales of over 4 million.
A frequent guest on radio and television talk shows, she lives in rural Ohio with her husband, three children, horses, dogs, & cats. Awards include the Edgar Award for Best YA Mystery, the Helen Keating Ott Award for Contributions to Children's Literature; Distinguished Alumni Award from Mizzou; ALA Best Book; Christian Children's Book of the Year, Amelia Bloom, Mom's Choice Awards. Her YA novel, My Boyfriends' Dogs, is now a Hallmark movie.
A frequent guest on radio and television talk shows, she lives in rural Ohio with her husband, three children, horses, dogs, & cats. Awards include the Edgar Award for Best YA Mystery, the Helen Keating Ott Award for Contributions to Children's Literature; Distinguished Alumni Award from Mizzou; ALA Best Book; Christian Children's Book of the Year, Amelia Bloom, Mom's Choice Awards. Her YA novel, My Boyfriends' Dogs, is now a Hallmark movie.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 6, 2022
This book captures the inner thoughts of fourth grader Ellie dealing with common things in life like the kids that have more, kids that think they are better than Ellie, promising to do something and then forgetting, wanting to help her brother and volunteer, getting distracted by wanting to prove she and her horse are great, tests, forgetting about tests - problems that many can relate to. She has the added challenge of a brother who communicates through sign language. The setting is a rural town with horses and what can be better than that when her horse shows up at school in the library! Subtly included is a nod to her faith, but it's not a preachy book or one with constant references to faith. This is also suited for someone who dreams of having a horse, but don't really know much about owning one.
May 22, 2017
This is the third book in the Backyard Horses series. I think it could be read as a stand alone but Ellie's hopes for her horse, Dream, might be better understood if you read book 1 and how much she had wanted a horse. Now that she has Dream, she wants everyone to know how great he is---especially after he got her in trouble by showing up in the school library! Ellie's quirky family is back as is her best friend, Colt. In Ellie's quest to make Dream the best, she doesn't follow through on her promised responsibilities and it all comes to a head when Dream takes a turn for the worse. This story is great for elementary school-age kids to learn about forgiveness, grace, and trusting in God--with some quirky humor thrown in. I look forward to finishing this series!
May 4, 2023
I love that it has American Sign Language in the book and throughout the storyline. It was a great read. Very heartfelt. I got a little teary eyed near the end.
August 27, 2012
A cute read for young horse-lovers.
Ellie James is determined to prove that her horse, Dream, is the best horse in the area after an incident at school where Dream mysteriously was found in the school library.
Ellie divises a plan to show everyone how great Dream is by setting up a race, but along the way near tragedy takes place and Ellie learns valuable lessons about faith and trusting in God.
This is a well written novel printed in an easy to read format for young readers.
I believe that young horse-lovers will be especially drawn to this story. They may even be a bit jealous of Ellie's "backyard horse" I know I wish I could keep my horse in the backyard!
The characters were well done, and I liked how relate-able Ellie was as a character and how great and supportive her family was.
This book carried a solid message, about knowing God is there through the hard times and through the good, which only adds to it's appeal.
Overall, this is a book that will charm and delight young horse-loving readers, full of heart and real-life lessons. A book that I happily recommend!
No review was required.
Ellie James is determined to prove that her horse, Dream, is the best horse in the area after an incident at school where Dream mysteriously was found in the school library.
Ellie divises a plan to show everyone how great Dream is by setting up a race, but along the way near tragedy takes place and Ellie learns valuable lessons about faith and trusting in God.
This is a well written novel printed in an easy to read format for young readers.
I believe that young horse-lovers will be especially drawn to this story. They may even be a bit jealous of Ellie's "backyard horse" I know I wish I could keep my horse in the backyard!
The characters were well done, and I liked how relate-able Ellie was as a character and how great and supportive her family was.
This book carried a solid message, about knowing God is there through the hard times and through the good, which only adds to it's appeal.
Overall, this is a book that will charm and delight young horse-loving readers, full of heart and real-life lessons. A book that I happily recommend!
No review was required.
July 30, 2013
In Chasing Dream, Ellie yearns for people to see her horse, Dream, as more than your typical horse. She wants people to think that Dream is a great horse. Ellie sets up a competitive horse race for her 4th grade class thinking that Dream would win. However, much to her dismay, Dream loses heart in the middle of the race causing them to lose first place. As Ellie thinks of something else to show off Dream’s greatness to her peers, Dream starts to behave strangely. First, she keeps getting out of her yard by jumping the fence. Then, she starts to shy away from others. Finally, she paws the ground anxiously and when she refuses to jump jumps, Ellie knows that something is terribly wrong with Dream. After Dream is diagnosed with colic, Ellie finally realizes what is more important than getting her peers’ awe of Dream: loving Dream and others for being as they are just as God loves Ellie for being Ellie. This is a great book for tween/teen horse lovers. As an adult, I found this book to have a good message of accepting others for who they are and loving them as God loves us.
July 9, 2013
Chasing Dream
Backyard Horses #3
By Dandi Daley Makall
Ellie is determined to prove to everyone what a fabulous horse that Dream is.
But for some reason all of Ellie’s ideas seem to back fire. And added to this is
the concern that Dream is somehow getting out of her backyard pasture. How can a horse get loose and still have all the gates locked and the fences up?
But when Ellie’s dreams of making Dream into a star interfere with her promises to friends and family and even threaten Dream’s life Ellie is racked with guilt.
When Dream pulls through her bout of colic, which could have killed her, Ellie learns that family and friends are there for you when you need them the most.
Backyard Horses #3
By Dandi Daley Makall
Ellie is determined to prove to everyone what a fabulous horse that Dream is.
But for some reason all of Ellie’s ideas seem to back fire. And added to this is
the concern that Dream is somehow getting out of her backyard pasture. How can a horse get loose and still have all the gates locked and the fences up?
But when Ellie’s dreams of making Dream into a star interfere with her promises to friends and family and even threaten Dream’s life Ellie is racked with guilt.
When Dream pulls through her bout of colic, which could have killed her, Ellie learns that family and friends are there for you when you need them the most.
July 4, 2012
This is another of the Backyard Horses series. Ellie is feeling a little insecure about her backyard horse so she sets out to prove that her horse is just as good as her friends' horses. Then she discovers something that puts everything into perspective.
An easy, enjoyable read with good lessons for kids and adults alike. I love Ellie's family and author Dandi Daley Mackall certainly captures the voice of an elementary-aged child.
I almost can't wait for my daughter to be old enough for these books. Almost.
An easy, enjoyable read with good lessons for kids and adults alike. I love Ellie's family and author Dandi Daley Mackall certainly captures the voice of an elementary-aged child.
I almost can't wait for my daughter to be old enough for these books. Almost.
June 19, 2013
Chasing Dream is a fun read for young (2nd/3rd grade) horse lovers. The heroine, Ellie James, is a spunky main character. This book displays good examples of how God is with you in both good times and rough times.
As in the first of the series, Horse Dreams, the heroine loves horses and wants to prove how great Dream is. She is relatable and displays valuable character-building traits.
A charming adventure with a satisfying ending.
As in the first of the series, Horse Dreams, the heroine loves horses and wants to prove how great Dream is. She is relatable and displays valuable character-building traits.
A charming adventure with a satisfying ending.
June 8, 2014
Solid presentation of a good lesson
Christian books for children can sometimes be painful to read. Either the book isn't well written, or the lesson is stuck in as an after-thought, or the whole story is cheesy. This book is none of those. I appreciate the ease with which this book is read and the well incorporated lesson. I checked this book out of the library, but plan on buying it.
Christian books for children can sometimes be painful to read. Either the book isn't well written, or the lesson is stuck in as an after-thought, or the whole story is cheesy. This book is none of those. I appreciate the ease with which this book is read and the well incorporated lesson. I checked this book out of the library, but plan on buying it.
July 23, 2014
I think this was my favorite book in the series. Ellie really has to face her own selfishness and realizes that she has put herself before everyone else in her life. The author does a great job showing the need to ask for forgiveness and the need we all have for a Savior (and without "preaching"). Again, I recommend this book to upper elementary girls without reservation. [5 stars]
July 2, 2013
Chasing Dream by Dandi Daley Mackall is a great book and easy read. This book is definitely written for younger readers but readers of all ages will enjoy the story and love its Christian values. A must read if you've already read the first book in this series.
June 19, 2014
Chasing Dream is a definite must read for young readers. My daughter really enjoyed it. I just love Ellie and friends , Colt and Dream. I thought this story is an inspiration to remind the reader what is important. There were even times that brought me to tears. We are loving this series!
5 stars.
5 stars.
November 16, 2022
Ellie's horse started to act up, appearing at school and disappearing out of her pen.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews