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The Riding Series #1
Stable Ground
When Josie’s best friends all head away from River County Texas for summer vacation, she is left with two options; work at the cemetery with her dad and have the most uncool summer ever or shovel manure at the Walker ranch. Josie chooses the ranch, despite her fear of horses.
Josie finds a mentor in Nina, a kind-hearted Choctaw Native American woman, who helps Josie discover her natural talent for horse jumping. This ignites the jealousy of Gretchen Walker, the boss’s beauty queen daughter and skilled horseback rider who’s not used to anyone showing her up. When Josie’s own mom is blinded to Gretchen’s devious ways and dazzling smiles, Josie thinks it might be the worst summer of her life.
Will Gretchen drive Josie away or will she stand up for her herself and find her Stable Ground?
Josie finds a mentor in Nina, a kind-hearted Choctaw Native American woman, who helps Josie discover her natural talent for horse jumping. This ignites the jealousy of Gretchen Walker, the boss’s beauty queen daughter and skilled horseback rider who’s not used to anyone showing her up. When Josie’s own mom is blinded to Gretchen’s devious ways and dazzling smiles, Josie thinks it might be the worst summer of her life.
Will Gretchen drive Josie away or will she stand up for her herself and find her Stable Ground?
- GenresHorses
121 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 29, 2013
3 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Julie Galbraith
5 books1 followerJulie Galbraith was born in Idyllwild California to a potter and a jazz musician. Her childhood was spent travelling the country in a Volkswagen with her parents and their dog. She found a passion for riding in her teens and now she and her husband own a ranch in New Mexico where they offer lessons, board horses and run a riding program for children with special needs.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 3, 2014
Josie's story was an endearing look at the world of horses and riding. Not only did Josie express her fears, frustrations and triumphs in a way that MG readers could relate to, she also overcomes fears and anxiety caused by another rider. It was a quick read with a charming ending that horse-loving girls will enjoy.
February 5, 2014
STABLE GROUND is the first book in the Riding Series collection by Julie Galbraith. The story is narrated by 13 year- old Josie Pickens who hails from a small rural town. Her father works as landscaper for a cemetery and her mother is a stay-at-home mother who is famous for her jam. Another important thing to know about Josie is that she expresses herself through her artwork. When her father decides it’s time for her to help contribute to the family’s finances, she obliges him by accepting a job at a horse ranch despite her fear of horses. In a sublimely simple manner, the author takes on some hefty issues in presenting a heroine who journeys through the epic conflicts within herself and with her environment. Putting aside some nitpicky issues with copyediting, the author succeeds in crafting a well-written, entertaining and inspiring story.
The two most important minor characters in this tale are Gretchen, the rich and pretty girl in town whose father owns the ranch where Josie works during the summer and Nina, the Native American woman who works as a stable hand at the ranch. Gretchen is Josie’s nemesis despite Josie’s best efforts to make nice. Nina mentors Josie and helps her discover her latent talent as a horse whisperer. The key to Josie’s self-discovery rests on the relationship between the rivals and how well Josie learns the lessons from the Choctaw legends about the Wind Horse and the Two Wolves that Nina tells her.
Financial insecurity is a running theme throughout the story. There is a terribly humiliating moment for Josie when she is invited over for a sleepover at Gretchen’s family ranch. At the swimming pool she must endure Gretchen and her girlfriends’ criticism of her very tired-looking Speedo swimsuit while they sport trendy bikinis. In one exchange they interrogate her about her family’s wealth.
“So you don’t have a pool at your house?” Ambers says.
“No, ‘course she doesn’t. Her house is tiny,” Gretchen laughed.
“It’s not tiny. It’s a normal sized house” I [Josie] muttered.
That Josie constrains herself to say even that in response to the other girls’ taunts says a lot about her values and who she is as a person. The story takes a major turn after Gretchen pulls a particularly mean prank on Josie for which she, Gretchen, is subsequently punished. This incident paves the way for Josie to conquer her greatest fear, to ride a horse.
Perhaps the second most important character in the story after Josie, is Mirabelle, the horse Josie is tasked to look after. Mirabelle is the troublesome horse, but who is capable of doing great things under the right care and attention. Josie must master the first lesson of the Wind Horse: becoming one with the horse. The second lesson of the Two Wolves, if she can master it, is learning to balance courage and jealousy.
This is a wonderful all around family book. The descriptions about the equestrian world may give the reader a new appreciation for the relationship between a horse and its rider. More importantly, the struggles Josie faces are human struggles that all people face regardless of age, class, race or ethnicity.
The two most important minor characters in this tale are Gretchen, the rich and pretty girl in town whose father owns the ranch where Josie works during the summer and Nina, the Native American woman who works as a stable hand at the ranch. Gretchen is Josie’s nemesis despite Josie’s best efforts to make nice. Nina mentors Josie and helps her discover her latent talent as a horse whisperer. The key to Josie’s self-discovery rests on the relationship between the rivals and how well Josie learns the lessons from the Choctaw legends about the Wind Horse and the Two Wolves that Nina tells her.
Financial insecurity is a running theme throughout the story. There is a terribly humiliating moment for Josie when she is invited over for a sleepover at Gretchen’s family ranch. At the swimming pool she must endure Gretchen and her girlfriends’ criticism of her very tired-looking Speedo swimsuit while they sport trendy bikinis. In one exchange they interrogate her about her family’s wealth.
“So you don’t have a pool at your house?” Ambers says.
“No, ‘course she doesn’t. Her house is tiny,” Gretchen laughed.
“It’s not tiny. It’s a normal sized house” I [Josie] muttered.
That Josie constrains herself to say even that in response to the other girls’ taunts says a lot about her values and who she is as a person. The story takes a major turn after Gretchen pulls a particularly mean prank on Josie for which she, Gretchen, is subsequently punished. This incident paves the way for Josie to conquer her greatest fear, to ride a horse.
Perhaps the second most important character in the story after Josie, is Mirabelle, the horse Josie is tasked to look after. Mirabelle is the troublesome horse, but who is capable of doing great things under the right care and attention. Josie must master the first lesson of the Wind Horse: becoming one with the horse. The second lesson of the Two Wolves, if she can master it, is learning to balance courage and jealousy.
This is a wonderful all around family book. The descriptions about the equestrian world may give the reader a new appreciation for the relationship between a horse and its rider. More importantly, the struggles Josie faces are human struggles that all people face regardless of age, class, race or ethnicity.
February 26, 2014
Julie Galbraith’s Stable Ground is a great horse lover’s novel. Josie Pickens is terrified of horses, but when a well-paying job pops up at a stable, her family’s need for money outweighs her fear. As she begins working there with her boss, Nina, she begins to like horse and even starts to ride them. There’s just one thorn in her side, the stable owner’s daughter, Gretchen, and her friends. Having a lot of people fooled about her bully nature, Gretchen even has Josie’s mom wrapped around her finger. With a reigning competition around the corner, Nina and the other staff members convince Josie to enter the jumping part of the competition. Gretchen, however, is not willing to give up the title without a fight. Can Josie beat her and prove she can outride Gretchen?
This engaging story is not only intriguing, but endearing as well. The plot is well-developed plot. My favorite part of the book is the main character’s commentary and experiences. Her quirky, unique look on things makes the reader want to read more.
The characters are unique as well as complex. Their issues are realistic to problems kids their age deal with regularly and have realistic solutions that will help young readers to deal with their own lives.
Overall, I would give this book 5 stars and would recommend this book to anyone interested in books similar to the Canterwood Crest series by Jessica Burkhart or who like horses and a little bit of adventure.
This engaging story is not only intriguing, but endearing as well. The plot is well-developed plot. My favorite part of the book is the main character’s commentary and experiences. Her quirky, unique look on things makes the reader want to read more.
The characters are unique as well as complex. Their issues are realistic to problems kids their age deal with regularly and have realistic solutions that will help young readers to deal with their own lives.
Overall, I would give this book 5 stars and would recommend this book to anyone interested in books similar to the Canterwood Crest series by Jessica Burkhart or who like horses and a little bit of adventure.
December 30, 2013
An excellent novel for young adult readers. Stable Ground explores issues that many teens face, and offers a dose of inspiration.
Josie is an insecure artist from Texas. He parents are in slight financial trouble and Josie feels for them, so much so that she gets a job hoping to be able to relieve some anxiety. Although she knows (literally) nothing about horses, she takes a job on a local ranch working with them. She slowly conquers her fear of horses by sitting on Monty. However, her fear of a fellow peer, Gretchen, the rich, annual beauty-pageant winner, and daughter of the Rancher is even greater than her fear of horses.
As Josie builds confidence working with horses, her overall outlook on life improves as well. Josie begins to learn about horses, competitions, mannerisms, and she finds that they are “powerful creatures with their own minds.” She also comes to understand that people like Gretchen, will always be there to compete against and test you. In addition, she becomes more sympathetic to her parents their (sometimes embarrassing) situations.
Galbraith writes with a crisp tone as she explores coming-of-age issues. Josie is a relatable character—especially for shy girls who feel as if they’re on the “outside.” Josie tells the story of many girls in their early teens. She offers a considerable amount of inspiration.
Josie is an insecure artist from Texas. He parents are in slight financial trouble and Josie feels for them, so much so that she gets a job hoping to be able to relieve some anxiety. Although she knows (literally) nothing about horses, she takes a job on a local ranch working with them. She slowly conquers her fear of horses by sitting on Monty. However, her fear of a fellow peer, Gretchen, the rich, annual beauty-pageant winner, and daughter of the Rancher is even greater than her fear of horses.
As Josie builds confidence working with horses, her overall outlook on life improves as well. Josie begins to learn about horses, competitions, mannerisms, and she finds that they are “powerful creatures with their own minds.” She also comes to understand that people like Gretchen, will always be there to compete against and test you. In addition, she becomes more sympathetic to her parents their (sometimes embarrassing) situations.
Galbraith writes with a crisp tone as she explores coming-of-age issues. Josie is a relatable character—especially for shy girls who feel as if they’re on the “outside.” Josie tells the story of many girls in their early teens. She offers a considerable amount of inspiration.
January 14, 2016
Josie is a thirteen year old girl in a family that is struggling for money. Josie loves to paint and is good at it. She is scared of horses and has no interest in going for a job that her father suggests over the summer break.
Even with her friends away on exciting holidays over the school break, Josie isn’t sure she wants to spend her time working on a nearby ranch... more at http://equus-blog.com/stable-ground-b...
Even with her friends away on exciting holidays over the school break, Josie isn’t sure she wants to spend her time working on a nearby ranch... more at http://equus-blog.com/stable-ground-b...
December 3, 2013
A great read for horse loving teens!
May 19, 2017
Rating would have been higher if not for typos & grammatical errors, and inconsistencies within story. Improper equestrian terms was also a distraction from the story.
October 19, 2015
Poorly Researched
The references to Anything regarding Riding or Horses are Incorrect Whether they Regard Equipment,events or Dress.the most poorly written Book I Have read
The references to Anything regarding Riding or Horses are Incorrect Whether they Regard Equipment,events or Dress.the most poorly written Book I Have read
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews