Skye's Final Test

Keystone Stables #6

by Marsha Hubler

Her foster parents have opened Keystone Stables this summer to a visiting group of kids with special needs, and Skye-once an angry, needy teen herself-will help mentor them. It's a real test of her growing maturity.She's really annoyed with one of them: Joey is an outgoing and friendly Down syndrome kid who took a liking to Skye right away. She's both embarrassed and furious when he calls her his girlfriend, and treats him harshly when others aren't around. But when his horse comes up lame on the day of a major competition, Skye is faced with a big decision: will she continue to push him away or show him God's love?

Genres: Horses, Christian, Fiction, Contemporary, Childrens, Young Adult, Middle Grade

108 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2005

About the author

Marsha Hubler, author of the best-selling 8-book Keystone Stables Series from Zonderkidz, lives in central PA with her husband and two dogs. She has a master’s degree in education, over 40 years experience with children of all ages, and presently works with homeschoolers in her home office.
Her latest published books, THE TOMMI POCKETS SERIES, addresses tween issues such as divorced parents, friendships, and rejection by peers.
Visit Marsha at her website, http://www.marshahublerauthor.com
For horse lovers of all ages, she has another blog: http://www.horsefactsbymarshahubler.w...
For writers' tips, go to:
www.marshahubler.wordpress.com

Reviews

[Liberty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I owned only two of these novels as a child. And so I'm steadily making my way through the series now. They are enjoyable. But the way Joey was written just irked me for some reason. I don't know I guess he lacked Nuance or something I don't know what the word is. But something about him felt unfinished to me. I do like seeing Sky's growth through the series though

[Charlie Dineen]

Revisiting horse books I read as a child…now as a former religion major the evangelism factor here is off the charts. Wild.

[Angela R. Watts · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was a short read, and was pretty good as far as the Christian message went.... I didn't mind it, though it didn't go into a huge depth thing, of course. But it was about having a heart for God and helping others- even though that can be hard.
I was OK with this book.... until I read the ending part, titled 'Are You Ready For Your Own Horse', and the part 'The Mustang'. Firstly, the widely accepted view in society is that horses were brought to North America by the Spanish (and European settlers). This is not true. The Native American horses had horses before any settlers brought their own steeds to the land. Proof has been found to show horses were here long before European settlers, or before the Spanish mingled into North America...
One thing that irritated me, also, was this line; "The Native Americans immediately claimed the Mustang as a gift from the gods...." Uh, no.... What in the world is this? This is ridiculous....
And then, the author brings the BLM into the deal. "Since 1970, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management has stepped in to save the mustangs from extinction...." No, no, the government stepped in to have mere control over the wild herds. The horses were not going extinct. The government just wanted power, the BLM just wanted to take control. The author continues to say how the BLM allows adoption for mustangs, as well. Yes, they do, and you pay about $150 for a mustang.... but the regulations/requirements are ridiculous: 7 ft high fence? Not to mention countless other crazy expectations to keep a mustang. And the BLM watches the wild horses- they know their ages. So why bring an older horse in to get 'adopted'? Leave the old ones alone! It is down right wrong to bring them away from their life style. To bring in the younger horses, that would give them a much greater chance at having a good life with humans.
The end chapter with this information drove me rather crazy. The book itself was fine.

[Addie Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Blue Ribbon Champ"