Sundancer

Saddle Creek #1

by Shelley Peterson

The horse is over 16 hands tall, long-legged, and well proportioned. Heis also suspicious, guarded, touchy, cruel, and a challenge to allhumans who would deal with him. Thirteen-year old Bird is a challenge tothose around her. An elective mute since the age of six, she has livedwith Aunt Hannah for the past two years because her mother simply couldnot cope with her. While Bird refuses to speak to humans, she has an uncanny knack forcommunicating with animals of all kinds. But Sundancer is a woundedanimal with a story he is not ready to share. It is a challenge for Birdto get through to him, but they soon establish a wonderfully rewardingrapport. Spurred on by this, Bird accepts her motherâ?Ts renewedapproaches and eventually starts speaking again. Shelley Petersonâ?Ts fourth young-adult novel is a powerfully told taleof confusion, attempted fraud, and suspense. But above all, it is a taleof the blossoming of a difficult horse and a difficult child whotogether find the strength to overcome their problems. Loosely based onthe story of one of the authorâ?Ts own horses, Sundancer clearlyreflects her own love for and knowledge of horses and their foibles.Recommended especially for horse lovers and those caring for childrenand teens with challenges.

Genres: Horses, Young Adult, Animals, Fiction, Middle Grade, Mystery, Contemporary

312 pages, Paperback

First published June 21, 2006

About the author

Shelley Peterson is the best-selling author of numerous young adult novels, including DANCER, ABBY MALONE, SUNDANCER, and MYSTERY AT SADDLE CREEK.

She was born in London, Ontario, and was trained in theatre arts at the Banff School of Performing Arts, Dalhousie University, and the University of Western Ontario.

She works as a professional actress, and has more than 100 stage, film, and television credits to her name. Peterson has had a lifelong love of animals big and small, with particular interest in horses.

She divides her time between Toronto and Fox Ridge, a horse farm in the Caledon hills, which she shares with her husband, three children, and the family dog.

Reviews

[Whitney Atkinson]

i reread half of this for old-timey's sake, but i wasn't loving it and i sorta remember what happens so i'm gonna leave the last half to my young memory. in hindsight, this book is very cringey and unrealistic and even has some ableist lines toward autism, so i'm just gonna let her do her thang and live on in my memory rather than finishing out the reread.

[Laura Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter was disgusted by my 4 star review, so she has decided to review it herself. here we go...

Sundancer is a really good book. I wish I could give it more than 5 stars because it's about a horse who has been treated really badly and a girl who doesn't talk anymore. She decides to take care of him. The horse and the girl change. The girl can talk but she decides not to, but she can hear what animals are thinking and talks to them. If you like animals this is a very good book and I would recommend it to you.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is even up with this book? I seriously have problems with horse books in general, it might be a disease. This one was no different. But I thoroughly enjoyed it.
FIRST OFF: The summary of this book is in entirety BAD. It doesn't even cover the main conflict of the book and leaves out several important details. Summarizing Department, YOU FAILED. As a side note, the summary I am referring to is the one on the back of the book, not the one featured on this website. NOTES: What kind of person names their horse Sundancer? I mean honestly, is there no such thing as originality in this world? The summarization is incorrect in stating that Bird can hear the thoughts of the animals she befriends. Haha, Bird can hear the thoughts of ANY animals, folks. She actually talks to a corrupted little dog that is trying to ruin her life (in a sense). This book is entirely unrealistic. Coyotes don't follow people around because of their devotion to the wonderful human. Special mute little girls cannot talk to horses. 13 year old girls don't train insane, dangerous horses in a matter of days (especially with the horse as the teacher) and go on to win huge championships. Horses do not display behavior encountered in the whimsical nature of this book. This book is purely fantasy in nearly every way; this does not simply happen in real life (that I know of).
Haha yeah... '...when her mother pays an unexpected visit?' doesn't cover the half of it. SPOILER: The grandpa is rich and evil and dating a woman half his age. HE CORRUPTS AND CHEATS EVERYONE. LASTLY:
For reasons unfathomable to me, I love this book.

[Shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars
I have been wanting to read this book for a really long time and I finally got a chance to read this book. I love this book so much. It is one of those books that I can relate to because it is about horses and I love horses and I have horses so it is easy for me to relate to this book. I have read some books from Shelley Peterson before in the past and I really loved those books so I thought I would give this book a try and I am glad that I gave this book a try. Shelley Peterson is one of my favorite writers because her writing is really good. I would read this book again and again because this book will never get old. I would recommend this book to anyone that has or loves horses because I feel like they would relate to this book but I would also recommend this book to anyone that is looking for a good book to read from Shelley Peterson.

[Ashleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a cute story. It does a great job of showing the bond and communication of The horse and the girl! :)

[Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why am I reviewing a book I read almost a decade ago? The short answer: it was my beach read. The long answer: despite being part of my horse girl phase in middle school, this book is on my faves for a reason.
It's story about finding your voice and understanding I being misheard. Alongside quips and enjoyable narrator omniscience, it also has a level of unpacking trauma that echos like a kid friendly version of Eleanor Oliphant. I find the characters homey and relatable, perhaps that's my nostalgia speaking but you know what, you should read this if you're bored. It's cute and reminded me the subtle depth that can be contained within juvinile horsey fiction.

[Leeanne G · Rating 5 out of 5]

When ever I go to a thrift store, I go in with a mission. To find a good book. Most people go to find clothes. But not me.
On September 4, 2019 I walked into Value Village and immediately went to the book section.
It took me basically a minute before I found Sundancer. I immediately snatched it off the shelf and read the back.
I pondered it for a minute. It had a stain on it and a lot of the pages had been folded. It wasn't in very good condition. Being the slight germaphobic that I am, the stain concerned me the most. So I put it back.
I looked at the the rest of the books, but occasionally looked over my shoulder at Sundancer.
So I went back to it and stared at it for a good minute. Then I opened the first page and read it. I pondered this carefully.

It's been a long time since I've had such an intense calling to a book. I could not leave the book section ( and I did try) without coming back. It was practically screaming my name! So I bought it.
I'm glad I listened because I loved the book. Bird was so interesting and I loved that she could talk to animals. Plus I love horses so I loved Sundancer too. All the characters were extremely interesting and I enjoyed watching Bird and her family grow. She gave me a different point of view on the world.
I will never forget how strong that connection was between me and this book. I'm so, so glad I listened.

[Cyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

People never look up. I never really thought of this before reading this novel but ever since I have made a point of looking up. Bird is a young but very smart and interesting girl. She depends on her animals, communicating with them more than she does the people around her― whom she communicates with only when necessary― after all the animals are happy to have a human to talk to. This is a book that I have read countless times and is definitely one of my favorites. Bird is relatable without being predictable and time and again I find myself intrigued, thinking of Sundancer with his proud spirit. It makes me wonder if all the other hard cases we once gave up on could have been saved. If renegade horses truly exist or just a lack of understanding. It's a good book that may get you thinking but mostly it's filled with moments that will make you chuckle and a horse with lots of sass. I especially love the quotes that begin each chapter that are Sundancers words/thoughts.

[Abigail · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I had so much fun reading it! While it was sad in some ways it was a great story of a girl who could communicate in her own way, while she may not have wanted to speak normally she found her way to speak a different language, one that many people will not know or have the pleasure of knowing.

[Becki · Rating 4 out of 5]

SO sweet.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a GREAT book!!! It is very explanatory and Shelley Peterson is an awesome writer!!!!! Defenitly recommend it!!!!!

[NoUsernameForYou · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 stars. Not the worst I've read, but it was not good. The drama was drawn out more than it needed to be and the characters were all inconsistent.
Sometimes Bird can speak a few words and sometimes she's completely and involuntarily mute. It's a big point, especially in the beginning, that she simply chooses not to speak, but that isn't the case when it's better for the plot.
Sundancer has "moods," but only when it's better for the plot. They say he has good days and bad days, but it actually shifts within minutes multiple times.
The villains were your typical greedy horse abusers that appear to never sleep when there's illegal things to be done. Makes me wish for more variation in horse stories.

[Saerval · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely one of my favorite childhood books. Bird is an incredibly relatable character for any teen who's felt out of place no matter where they go and is looking for their fellow misfits. It's everything I'd wanted from stories about horses, and Bird and Sundancer were the perfect characters to deliver this story.

[Nicole Lauraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really Inspiring. I enjoyed reading about the connection between Bird and the animals. One of my favorite books❤️📖

[Caroline Harbour · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't like horses and I don't usually like "horse books", but this one is a very sweet and creative piece of magical realism.

[Tida · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite.

[🐴wallenhorsegirl🐴 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Um….this was amazing!!!!!! So original and well written. Bird is the kind of character you like from the start after you get some insight. Sundancer is the best. They are both funny and amazing. As it neared the end I was a little surprised and disappointed but it wasn’t terrible. And I recently found out that it is a series so I will be reading the rest! Please read this book! Perfect for any horse girl! 💕😊

[Rebecca Gosiewski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of Elective Mutes and Talking Horses With Anger Issues

Shelley Peterson's book Sundancer is about Alberta, or Bird. She's an elective mute, and has been since age six. Now she's thirteen and living with her aunt, having been dropped off two years earlier while her mother took her younger sister Julia and drove off into the sunset in search of yet another boyfriend. Sundancer is a young gelding with a horrendous past of mistreatment, abuse, scarring accidents, and has spooked his way through nine trainers. When a vet is called to put him down, the intelligence in the horse's eyes is just enough to save him. Bird's aunt Hannah takes him in and begins trying to train him. With Bird's amazing ability to speak to animals, they begin to get through to the horse. After they enter and win a few jumper classes, Sunny's old trainers see his potential and want him back. The horizon darkens when Bird learns of her grandfather's involvement, a possible fraud, and the arrival of her mother, her sister, and yet another new boyfriend.
If you like a good horse book, this is the perfect book for you. You'll learn to love Sundancer's odd quirks and fears, as well as relate to his need to win. Bird shows you the side of a silent girl that most people don't get to see, and her ability to talk gives new insight on how animals think. Her family and friends are easy to relate to, and you'll smile at the strength of their bonds, cry with their despair, laugh at all their jokes, and most importantly, walk with them as they conquer their personal fears and problems. I hope you enjoy Sundancer as I did!

[Sequoia Emerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sundancer is about a girl named Alberta, but most people call her Bird. She lives with her aunt Hannah, because her mother left her a few years ago, most likely because Bird hasn’t spoken since she was six. She can talk, but the doctor said that she is an elective mute, which means she chooses not to talk.

Bird has a special gift. She can talk to animals. She talks to them through her mind. When Bird still talked, she was teased about claiming to be able to speak to animals, which is one of the reasons she stopped talking to humans, and only communicated with animals.

One day, a horse shows up at her barn. He is very troubled, and for a while he will not talk to Bird. When he finally does, she discovers that he is a very talented and natural born jumper. He teaches Bird many things, and they end up being a great team, going to many shows and placing very well in ribbons.

I loved this book very much; it definately deserves five stars. I just found out that it is a trilogy and I can’t wait to read the other two books. I would recommend this book for anyone who likes horses and suspense.

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first interaction with Sundancer was in a library when I was in the third or fourth grade. Some years later (one, or perhaps two) I decided that I wanted to read a book with horses playing a major role, and it was Sundancer that instantly leaped to me mind. At this time, I knew not the title nor the author of Sundancer and only a vague image of a large chestnut horse and a bright blue sky behind him.

It is to the librarian that I am eternally thankful, for it was she that understood what I meant when I said, "The book with the blue sky and horse."

I do not recall the period of time that I first finished Sundancer in, but I imagine it was rather short. I recall being fascinated about this girl not much older than I who would not speak, and how she was deeply estranged from her immediate family save for her younger sister, Julia.

The writing is eloquent, the plot fascinating and the characters relatable.

Shortly after rereading Sundancer for the umpteenth time, I shoved it at my friend (who is not a bookish person in the slightest) who promptly informed me that it was among their favourite books.

[The Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those heart-wrenching stories that I have a love-hate relationship with. I loved this book, though a lot of it was predictable. Horrible plot-twists and events kept happening every turn, keeping me reading and yet dreading to turn the page- what if it was more sadness? But what if it was something good?

Perhaps I should have stopped at a happy part and went to sleep, but instead I turned the page late last night and was unable to put it down until I was finished (early into the morning). This was one story that I was counting on to have a happy ending, and knew that it would. That was possibly the only thing that kept me from putting the book down for a long breather.

I can't wait until I can read the previous three books (of which I didn't know about), and for one of the first books I've picked up with horses as a central theme point (the first one I've ever bought!), I am now hooked. Now I can't wait to pick up some more horse books.

[Ncc · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is different. I have read a myriad number of horse books and fantasy books and this one is a little of both.
Quick synopsis: Bird is 13 and she has not spoken to people since she was six. She never knew her father and her mother left her on her aunt's horse farm. Bird has a secret: she can speak directly to animal's minds and they speak back to her.
Then, Sundancer, an abused horse comes to the farm and his outrageous back-story slowly comes to light through Bird and both of their lives are changed forever.
I was seriously annoyed at a few of the characters for the entire book. Then, I realized that is what Shelly Peterson wanted. The characters that were meant to be jerks were portrayed spot on. You hate all the right characters throughout the book. This book is the first of a trilogy about Bird and Sundancer and I can't wait to read the rest!!

[Anna Phoenix · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love stories that take place in reality but have an unexplained fantastical element - in this case, Bertie's ability to read the thoughts of animals and speak back to them. She is a scared and confused girl, but she has a strength which she comes to realize slowly throughout the course of the book. I also love stories about children that don't ignore the adults in their lives or oversimplify for the benefit of younger readers, and this one delivers; Bertie's aunt is frequently frustrated and flummoxed but she is also a whole person. The book itself is somewhat predictable but still thorough and charming. It does make reference to characters and events from her teen books, but in a way that includes them in the story without getting in the way. A good read.

[Jordan T-M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love horses, so when I recieved this book as a present, I instantly shoved myself into it. The main character, a mute girl, lives on a farm with her aunt. One day, a tempermental chestnut horse is brought to them, and she automatically tries to connect with him through her mind, a mental gift she'd had since she was a child.
One thing I absolutely have to say, this book made me cry. I haven't cried over a book...well, ever. While there are tons of books that made me want to cry, this one brought the tears all the way out and made my mother panic. If I hadn't of explained the book to her, she'd probably have thought there was something wrong with me.

[Claire Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though this is more of a children's book, this story is fantasically told from the point of very of a child with (I think it's AD/HD or ADD - it could be another type of learning disability (maybe dyslexia), but I'm pretty certain that it's something along those lines) and shows her perpective of a tough family life and just wanting to fit in. It also shows the feelings of every equestrian - how horses have always been there for us in our toughest times, and how, thanks to horses, we keep carrying on.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic, yet short, read! Shelley Peterson does an incredible job as she puts into words the life and dreams of a "selective mute" teen girl, Bird. Throughout the book, she recognizes detailed hardships throughout this girls life while bringing a troublesome and unforgiving horse in as well. This long-lasting hardships and memories come back to haunt the twosome as they look into their pasts together to find who...and what they are made of

[Anastasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I keep on coming back to this book - it's just so perfect.

I love the way Bird can communicate with animals. For a couple months after reading this, I was convinced that if I just tried hard enough I could too.

This book never explains why Bird stops talking, though, and that bothered me. I have always wanted to know that.

This book has made me laugh and cry and I read it probably at least twice a year. It's fantastic.

[Abby Rowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!

A truly wonderful tale that combines humans and animals alike with a common theme. I have read this book twice already and have loved every second of it. I will say that it had me wanting more afterwards and I hope that it has the same affect on others. It is as though that Peterson has combined the Dr. Doolittle theme with more flare and drama that will hook a reader at the very beginning and have them begging for more. I know it had me doing so.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clever, well written novel with a fascinating concept that I would recommend to horse lovers of all ages!! Shelley Peterson is able to take a complex concept (the main character has the ability to speak to animals - especially horses) and make it understandable. I found all of the characters to be very interesting and it was surprisingly realistic.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful and stunning book. I was completely in love with this story.
Once you start reading it, you can't help but beg yourself for another page.. and another and another.
The story is completely unique and fascinating and speaks the friendship between an abused horse and a selective-mute girl. Highly recommended book.