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The Island of Lost Horses: A magical children's story book full of adventure, mystery, and horses
Two girls divided by time, united by their love for some very special horses – an epic Caribbean adventure!
On a remote tropical island, twelve year-old Beatriz is about to embark on an epic journey, through hurricanes and across the high seas and back to the time of Christopher Columbus…
When Beatriz stumbles across a wild mare with strange markings in the jungle she can’t believe it is real. Yet from that moment on the strongest connection grows between them, and she begins to uncover an incredible history. For centuries ago, Felipa and her horse, Cara Blanca, were running for their lives.
As the fates of Beatriz, Felipa and their horses become entwined, Beatriz realises that the future of the world’s rarest horses depends on her.
Based on the extraordinary true story of the Abaco Barb, a real-life mystery that has remained unsolved for over five hundred years.
On a remote tropical island, twelve year-old Beatriz is about to embark on an epic journey, through hurricanes and across the high seas and back to the time of Christopher Columbus…
When Beatriz stumbles across a wild mare with strange markings in the jungle she can’t believe it is real. Yet from that moment on the strongest connection grows between them, and she begins to uncover an incredible history. For centuries ago, Felipa and her horse, Cara Blanca, were running for their lives.
As the fates of Beatriz, Felipa and their horses become entwined, Beatriz realises that the future of the world’s rarest horses depends on her.
Based on the extraordinary true story of the Abaco Barb, a real-life mystery that has remained unsolved for over five hundred years.
256 pages, Paperback
First published September 25, 2014
45 people are currently reading
370 people want to read
About the author
Stacy Gregg
80 books206 followersAs a young girl living in New Zealand Stacy Gregg wanted to be two things when she grew up – a horse rider and a writer. She now considers herself very, very lucky to be both at once!
Becoming a writer was the easy part – all she needed was an exercise book and a pen. Stacy wrote loads of poetry and short stories at school and then became a journalist, writing features for magazines and newspapers and working as a fashion writer (v. glamorous and lots of fun!) before her first book in the Pony Club Secrets series was published in 2007.
Extract from author's web page
Becoming a writer was the easy part – all she needed was an exercise book and a pen. Stacy wrote loads of poetry and short stories at school and then became a journalist, writing features for magazines and newspapers and working as a fashion writer (v. glamorous and lots of fun!) before her first book in the Pony Club Secrets series was published in 2007.
Extract from author's web page
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
February 22, 2019
This story reminds me of Walter Farley's The Island Stallion. A small herd of Spanish horses survived in real life, isolated on a Bahamas island. These are called the Abaco Barb horse, and a Hispanic girl Beatriz comes across them when her mom takes her out on a boat to do marine research. I really enjoyed a few aspects; the aforementioned marine scientist mother, counting jellyfish and their predators; looking back through time to see a young Spanish woman who travelled to the New World with her horse; the hard work of rescuing the modern horse not once but twice.
Awful proofreading error; "Cara Blanca became queen of the herd on this tiny island and for centuries her blood survived from generation to generation. Now her last remaining ancestor was out there." I wouldn't point it out except that this is a professionally produced book which has been through the services of editors, copy readers and so on before being published. If only the author had published on Kindle, she would have been able to take down the book, correct it and put it up again.
Great idea for a story, aimed at girls (and boys, but will they read it?) from ten to mid-teens. I borrowed this book from Raheny Library. This is an unbiased review.
Awful proofreading error; "Cara Blanca became queen of the herd on this tiny island and for centuries her blood survived from generation to generation. Now her last remaining ancestor was out there." I wouldn't point it out except that this is a professionally produced book which has been through the services of editors, copy readers and so on before being published. If only the author had published on Kindle, she would have been able to take down the book, correct it and put it up again.
Great idea for a story, aimed at girls (and boys, but will they read it?) from ten to mid-teens. I borrowed this book from Raheny Library. This is an unbiased review.
June 14, 2025
3.5⭐️
Welcome to an official Charlotte’s BookNook book review! Make sure to go follow my YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@charlottes_bookn...) if you haven’t already. I post video reviews and all sorts of clean bookish content! Now let’s get this review started.
I liked: The setting, perfect beachy Bahama island descriptions! I also enjoyed how Annie’s dialogue was written just like how someone living in the Bahamas would talk. It added a realistic and nice touch! I liked the journal entries and the bit of history I learned! Overall I would recommend this to someone who wants a quick read and loves history and horses.
I didn’t like: The “creepy homeschooler” comment, being homeschooled doesn’t make you creepy. Bee is friendless not because of being homeschooled but because she lives on a boat with only her mom! I also wasn’t a fan of the writing. It didn’t grip me and I couldn’t tell if it was supposed to be simple for young readers or not. It just felt bland to me. I also noticed that this book didn’t really have a plot. It just went along and then ended.
Language: Each used a multiple times by adults and kids: Oh my God, Lord above
LGBTQ+: None
Romance: None
Violence: A leech is pulled off someone’s leg and stepped on, blood “oozing” is said, two characters are stuck in deep mud and pass out and think they’re going to die.
Religious Views: A horse’s mane is tangled with branches and described as looking like Jesus with the crown of thorns in religious paintings. This horse is also described as looking like a voodoo queen in horse form. A character back in the 1400s says he has visions from God on what to do and others ask him if he’s sure or if it’s the devil. Character say they pray to God. A character used herbs to keep away a horse, like a ritual. Lots of descriptions of ancient Catholicism enforced by the Queen of Spain. She sentences as Jews to convert and if they don’t, they will be burned alive. There is a magic undertone of visions and horses being magical, although it’s never admitted and is just kind of an unsolved mystery.
Authority Roles: Beatriz’s parents are broken up and she lives with her mom on a boat. Her mom is too busy with her work to care for Bee. Bee’s dad is said to have a drinking problem and doesn’t want Bee to live with him. Bee’s mom doesn’t make time for her and they are always yelling and fighting. Her mom doesn’t believe her or trust her.
Welcome to an official Charlotte’s BookNook book review! Make sure to go follow my YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@charlottes_bookn...) if you haven’t already. I post video reviews and all sorts of clean bookish content! Now let’s get this review started.
I liked: The setting, perfect beachy Bahama island descriptions! I also enjoyed how Annie’s dialogue was written just like how someone living in the Bahamas would talk. It added a realistic and nice touch! I liked the journal entries and the bit of history I learned! Overall I would recommend this to someone who wants a quick read and loves history and horses.
I didn’t like: The “creepy homeschooler” comment, being homeschooled doesn’t make you creepy. Bee is friendless not because of being homeschooled but because she lives on a boat with only her mom! I also wasn’t a fan of the writing. It didn’t grip me and I couldn’t tell if it was supposed to be simple for young readers or not. It just felt bland to me. I also noticed that this book didn’t really have a plot. It just went along and then ended.
Language: Each used a multiple times by adults and kids: Oh my God, Lord above
LGBTQ+: None
Romance: None
Violence: A leech is pulled off someone’s leg and stepped on, blood “oozing” is said, two characters are stuck in deep mud and pass out and think they’re going to die.
Religious Views: A horse’s mane is tangled with branches and described as looking like Jesus with the crown of thorns in religious paintings. This horse is also described as looking like a voodoo queen in horse form. A character back in the 1400s says he has visions from God on what to do and others ask him if he’s sure or if it’s the devil. Character say they pray to God. A character used herbs to keep away a horse, like a ritual. Lots of descriptions of ancient Catholicism enforced by the Queen of Spain. She sentences as Jews to convert and if they don’t, they will be burned alive. There is a magic undertone of visions and horses being magical, although it’s never admitted and is just kind of an unsolved mystery.
Authority Roles: Beatriz’s parents are broken up and she lives with her mom on a boat. Her mom is too busy with her work to care for Bee. Bee’s dad is said to have a drinking problem and doesn’t want Bee to live with him. Bee’s mom doesn’t make time for her and they are always yelling and fighting. Her mom doesn’t believe her or trust her.
August 15, 2021
Konské dobrodružstvo o vzácnom plemene koní určite zaujme každého milovníka koní.
August 25, 2025
Beatriz Ortega, aged 12, lives on a boat with her mother, moored by a Caribbean island where her mother is researching jellyfish. Beatriz explores the island and discovers a herd of wild horses. She tries to rescue a mare from a mudhole, and herself gets trapped. Both are rescued by an old woman, Annie, who lives alone in a shack, and tells Beatriz that the horse she found is special, and shows Beatriz the diary of a Spanish girl who came to the island as an exile with Columbus on his second voyage, bringing horses.
Telling the story through diary entries is rather unconvincing, as there is almost no difference between the style of the diary entries and that of the rest of the text. The circumstances of the voyage would have made it impossible for a girl, disguised as a boy, to carry a quill pen and ink on board ship and write a private diary in the company of rough sailors, but it doesn't matter much, and probably wouldn't to a child reader who was interested in horses, which is the kind of reader the book was written for.
Telling the story through diary entries is rather unconvincing, as there is almost no difference between the style of the diary entries and that of the rest of the text. The circumstances of the voyage would have made it impossible for a girl, disguised as a boy, to carry a quill pen and ink on board ship and write a private diary in the company of rough sailors, but it doesn't matter much, and probably wouldn't to a child reader who was interested in horses, which is the kind of reader the book was written for.
August 3, 2024
Definetly would recommend for girls in early teens (11-14). I am usually the type to cringe at horse books and i dont get why most girls love them, but i had no problems with this one. I absolutely adore it. I would be careful about the age of the reader because there are parts of the book when the main character almost dies, which some parents don't want their kids to read. Otherwise it's really good, i reread it atleast 5 times already.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2020
My daughter and I enjoyed reading our second Stacey Gregg book. As with The Girl Who Rode the Wind, you learn about historically interesting things, in this case, The Black Death, Christopher Colombus' journey to discover new lands and what it was like in 15th Century Spain. These narratives blend and weave well with the main narrative set in the 21st century.
March 5, 2016
I read this book because I found it in the library and I enjoy reading Stacy Gregg books.
I liked how this book kept going from what's in the diary 100's of years ago to the time that the girl was reading the diary. I enjoyed listening about the island of lost horses and how they got there, on Christofer Columbus's 1st voyage to America. This book told a lot about history and how something so smile like a pack of horses on an island can bring two completely different times together.
I thought that Felipa was a really interesting character how she was willing to follow her horse on a trip across the world so that she could stay with her. Felipa pretended to be part of the crew on the ship and managed to carter all the horses to an island that is found 100's of years later by another girl.
I liked how this book kept going from what's in the diary 100's of years ago to the time that the girl was reading the diary. I enjoyed listening about the island of lost horses and how they got there, on Christofer Columbus's 1st voyage to America. This book told a lot about history and how something so smile like a pack of horses on an island can bring two completely different times together.
I thought that Felipa was a really interesting character how she was willing to follow her horse on a trip across the world so that she could stay with her. Felipa pretended to be part of the crew on the ship and managed to carter all the horses to an island that is found 100's of years later by another girl.
June 9, 2020
If you’re in the mood for casual racist caricatures (a ‘coffee coloured’ witch/spiritual guide living in the forest), selfishness, and horse, but not for boys / boy do I have a book for you!
February 23, 2025
On a remote tropical island, twelve-year-old Beatriz is about to start on an epic journey, through hurricanes and across the high seas and back to the time of Christopher Columbus. When Beatriz stumbles across a wild mare with strange markings in the jungle she can't believe it is real. Yet from that moment on the strongest connection grows between them, and she begins to uncover an incredible history. Centuries ago, Felipa and her horse, Cara Blanca, were running for their lives. As the fates of Beatriz, Felipa and their horses become entwined, Beatriz realises that the future of the world's rarest horses depends on her. Based on the true story of the Abaco Barb, a real-life mystery that has remained unsolved for over five hundred years.
Beatriz's mom uproots her from the US and takes her to the Caribbean (Great Abaco) to study jellyfish. Beatriz, obviously, isn't fond of being there at first and is really upset with her mother. However, she finds a wild horse in the jungle and instantly becomes more interested in the island. Along the way, she meets Annie, and Annie gives her an old diary from 1492-1493 that belonged to a young girl named Felipa. The two timelines merge as we learn more and more about Felipa and the horses she's trying to steal from Christopher Columbus, all while Beatriz and Annie are trying to save the wild horses from the elements.
I would give this book 5 stars because it kept readers on the edge of their seats. It was really good and engaging. I would recommend this to anyone aged 12 or over and it’s great to read alone or as a family but there are some emotional parts. There are also parts of the book when the main character almost dies, and some parents don’t want their kids reading that. Apart from that it’s a great book
Beatriz's mom uproots her from the US and takes her to the Caribbean (Great Abaco) to study jellyfish. Beatriz, obviously, isn't fond of being there at first and is really upset with her mother. However, she finds a wild horse in the jungle and instantly becomes more interested in the island. Along the way, she meets Annie, and Annie gives her an old diary from 1492-1493 that belonged to a young girl named Felipa. The two timelines merge as we learn more and more about Felipa and the horses she's trying to steal from Christopher Columbus, all while Beatriz and Annie are trying to save the wild horses from the elements.
I would give this book 5 stars because it kept readers on the edge of their seats. It was really good and engaging. I would recommend this to anyone aged 12 or over and it’s great to read alone or as a family but there are some emotional parts. There are also parts of the book when the main character almost dies, and some parents don’t want their kids reading that. Apart from that it’s a great book
February 1, 2024
Beatriz's mom uproots her from the US and takes her to the Caribbean (Great Abaco) in order to study jellyfish. Beatriz, obviously, isn't exactly fond of being there at first and is really upset with her mother. However, she finds a wild horse in the jungle and instantly becomes more interested in the island. Along the way, she meets Annie, and Annie gives her an old diary from 1492-1493 that belonged to a young girl named Felipa. The two timelines merge as we learn more and more about Felipa and the horses she's trying to steal from Christopher Columbus, all while Beatriz and Annie are trying to save the wild horses from the elements (a hurricane is coming!).
It it an adventurous, shorter story that would be great for young readers who are interested in horses, historical fiction, strong female characters, and 'based on a true story' books. There actually were Abaco Barb horses on this island up until 2015 (I don't advise you to go looking for more information on the extinction of these horses unless you want to be sad, its a sad ending for them). And, potentially, they were the offspring of horses lost at sea by Columbus during a shipwreck. All pretty cool stuff. This fiction book ends happy. The real story, not so much, be forewarned.
It it an adventurous, shorter story that would be great for young readers who are interested in horses, historical fiction, strong female characters, and 'based on a true story' books. There actually were Abaco Barb horses on this island up until 2015 (I don't advise you to go looking for more information on the extinction of these horses unless you want to be sad, its a sad ending for them). And, potentially, they were the offspring of horses lost at sea by Columbus during a shipwreck. All pretty cool stuff. This fiction book ends happy. The real story, not so much, be forewarned.
February 27, 2022
Beatriz lives on a shrimp trawler with her mother, a scientist studying jellyfish in the Caribbean islands. When they are at the island of Abaco, Beatriz runs away into the jungle, finding a blue-eyed, pinto horse that somehow seems to recognize her. And when she, and Annie, a Caribbean woman who lives by herself in the depths of the island, rescue this horse from death, Beatriz has a vision/memory - of being a girl at the time of Christopher Columbus, before he sailed away from Spain to "discover" the Americas.
Half-current adventure story, half-historical fiction, the novel explains a possible way pure Spanish Barb horses arrived at the Caribbean island, and how dangerous it can be for them to live there.
A great story for horse-crazy pre- to middle-teens.
Half-current adventure story, half-historical fiction, the novel explains a possible way pure Spanish Barb horses arrived at the Caribbean island, and how dangerous it can be for them to live there.
A great story for horse-crazy pre- to middle-teens.
December 28, 2022
Beatriz would rather live with her father in Florida than on a boat, home-schooled and sharing one bedroom with her mother, but life doesn’t always give us what we want.
Beatriz explores a small island where her mother is researching jellyfish. She thinks she sees and horse and returns the next day to check. The horse is stuck in the mud, and Beatriz tries to rescue her but becomes stuck herself. They are rescued by Annie, a dreadlocked older woman who lives alone on the island. What does Annie give Beatriz that changes her, her mother, and the horses’ lives?
I enjoyed the mystery of the horses.
Beatriz explores a small island where her mother is researching jellyfish. She thinks she sees and horse and returns the next day to check. The horse is stuck in the mud, and Beatriz tries to rescue her but becomes stuck herself. They are rescued by Annie, a dreadlocked older woman who lives alone on the island. What does Annie give Beatriz that changes her, her mother, and the horses’ lives?
I enjoyed the mystery of the horses.
May 14, 2023
3.5 stars
Stacy Gregg obviously has an affinity with horses and this clearly comes through in her writing. While I enjoyed this novel, I preferred The Forever Horse which I read earlier this year. However, I still found The Island of the Lost Horses an entertaining read. I enjoyed the modern story of Beatriz but it was the historical story of Felipe that I found fascinating as she was alive during the Spanish Inquisition.
Stacy Gregg obviously has an affinity with horses and this clearly comes through in her writing. While I enjoyed this novel, I preferred The Forever Horse which I read earlier this year. However, I still found The Island of the Lost Horses an entertaining read. I enjoyed the modern story of Beatriz but it was the historical story of Felipe that I found fascinating as she was alive during the Spanish Inquisition.
January 5, 2024
When I was a little girl, my mother would read me the Stacy Gregg novels. I could see the story from my own two eyes, I loved it. I haven't read these in a while but I always get such heart warming memories with these books. I really recommend her stories for young ones who love horses. Although I've only read this once, it's the kind of story that stays engraved in your mind, especially as a little girl 💖
July 15, 2025
i feel like reading stacy gregg is a rite of passage for a horse girl lol but didn’t love this as much as i hoped - i think it was just for a younger audience than i expected. i still enjoyed it though - particularly the historical fiction aspect - learning about the spanish history, jews being expelled etc. and the love beatriz for the horses. would have loved to know more about annie though!! interested to learn more about the abaco barb (apparently the last one died in 2015 :((( 3)
Read
June 5, 2019SO, Its about 2 girls, one girl lived the plauge and tried to hide on a boat with men, trying to escape with her horse from England.
The other girl is in based in 2017, that found a desendant of the horse that escaped all those years ago, and found the girls diary, reading she discovered the secret of that lost "magic" horse. Soon after their was a storm where they had to resuce the horses.
The other girl is in based in 2017, that found a desendant of the horse that escaped all those years ago, and found the girls diary, reading she discovered the secret of that lost "magic" horse. Soon after their was a storm where they had to resuce the horses.
May 21, 2020
A pesar de que este libro está escrito para lectores que van desde los 9 hasta los 12, lo tenía en mi librería desde hace años y he decidido darle una oportunidad. Me ha gustado bastante, y además, me ha sorprendido porque no esperaba mucho de él y me ha descubierto cosas fascinantes sobre el posible origen de los caballos salvajes que vivían en América Central.
June 24, 2022
I loved this little book. I love it when fiction and real historical facts meet- so this is a great story because of that. I loved the protagonists and I loved how simple but beautiful the story was. It's a rather short read and there are some surprisingly shocking and dark elements I didn't quite expect in a book aimed at young kids, but it's still a really amazing book.
November 17, 2022
Welcome to Teen Rates Books!
Today I'm reviewing this 👆
Age: 13+
Cursing: 0
Spicy: 0
It's definitely more a younger read but Stacy Gregg's book is aimed for 13+ and up readers. I injoyed it as an easy pick up 🙂
Today I'm reviewing this 👆
Age: 13+
Cursing: 0
Spicy: 0
It's definitely more a younger read but Stacy Gregg's book is aimed for 13+ and up readers. I injoyed it as an easy pick up 🙂
September 3, 2023
I read this book in primary school, so I don't remember it much, but I remember being really interested in it. The story involves the black death, which I found a little bit confronting at first. However, looking back on it now, the book was quite informational, and a cute story.
June 21, 2025
This book was so good, such an amazing palette cleanser in between two high fantasies. I loved how it was split between Felipa’s and Beatriz diaries. Overall really enjoyed this book and read it in 3 days❤️❤️❤️
June 7, 2018
Amazing book about horses and love the lost book Anna found. Also one of my favourite books I have read this year.
December 21, 2018
stacy gregg never falls to amzes me this books is sooo wonderful you fell you are there with the horses and the girls once you pick it up you wont be abule to put it done thankyou stacy gregg
December 20, 2019
It was really good!
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April 3, 2020This book is amazing I love it soo much, it’s such a mystery. I’m not going to do any spoilers but it just amazing ❤️
January 28, 2021
A beautiful and lovely historic fiction with the mighty horses as the main characters. Love the relationship built and the beautiful description
December 25, 2021
amazing adventure and mystery book with lots of horses 🐴
June 6, 2023
I love this book with all my heart and I love the different timeliness would definitely recommend.
July 31, 2023
Don't ask me what drew me so irresistibly to historical crossdressing tales back in my tweens (although perhaps the characters actually having a chest to bind was an enviable allure...)
September 10, 2023
This book was cute, and I only read it because there was nothing else. Very nostalgic, and even though the writing style was very basic, I thouroughly enjoyed taking a trip down memory lane.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews