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Phoenix
A fresh, unexpected horse-kid series from an unexpected horse-kid herself, Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, award-winning and #1 New York Times -bestselling author of The War That Saved My Life and Fighting Words
Harper’s life just exploded. Her parents are getting a divorce. And she suspects her best friend, Cat, may have known the reason for it long before she did. Now Harper and her mom are starting over in a cramped house, in a new town, where everything feels unfamiliar, including the riding barn next door. There, Harper watches the kids she avoids at her new school take lessons. Harper’s never been around horses before. And no, she does not want to learn to ride. Then with no warning, a truck dumps a starved and neglected horse right in Harper's yard. She has no idea what to do with a live horse let alone a nearly dead one. But one look at the horse’s huge eyes and his skinny body, and something inside Harper unlocks. The horse is named Phoenix, she decides. And she will not give up on him. Neither, it turns out, will Phoenix give up on her. She doesn’t know it yet, but this is Harper’s first step—toward new friends, new challenges, new adventures. Toward riding.
Harper’s life just exploded. Her parents are getting a divorce. And she suspects her best friend, Cat, may have known the reason for it long before she did. Now Harper and her mom are starting over in a cramped house, in a new town, where everything feels unfamiliar, including the riding barn next door. There, Harper watches the kids she avoids at her new school take lessons. Harper’s never been around horses before. And no, she does not want to learn to ride. Then with no warning, a truck dumps a starved and neglected horse right in Harper's yard. She has no idea what to do with a live horse let alone a nearly dead one. But one look at the horse’s huge eyes and his skinny body, and something inside Harper unlocks. The horse is named Phoenix, she decides. And she will not give up on him. Neither, it turns out, will Phoenix give up on her. She doesn’t know it yet, but this is Harper’s first step—toward new friends, new challenges, new adventures. Toward riding.
176 pages, Hardcover
First published March 3, 2026
31 people are currently reading
3264 people want to read
About the author
Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
28 books2,913 followersKimberly Brubaker Bradley's next book, The Night War, will be published April 9, 2024. She is the author of nineteen previous books, including the Newbery Honor winners Fighting Words and The War that Saved My Life. The sequel to the latter, The War I Finally Won, appeared on many state-award and best-books lists and was described as “stunning” by The Washington Post and “honest” and “daring” by The New York Times. She is also the acclaimed author of She Persisted: Rosalind Franklin. Kimberly and her husband have two grown children and live with their dogs, two highly opinionated mares, and a surplus of cats on a fifty-two-acre farm in Bristol, Tennessee. Visit her at kimberlybrubakerbradley.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
October 16, 2025
Phoenix is the first installment of a horse series designed for readers in grades 3-5, but with its absence of profanity or sexual content and no mature themes, strong readers even younger will enjoy this one. Gifted writer Kimberly Brubaker Bradley calls this the horse series of her heart and her love of horses and horsemanship is readily apparent in her writing.
Harper and her parents are comfortably settled in Knoxville with good jobs, in a great school and all with positive connections to the community when a Big Bomb drops and the affair between the mom of Harper’s best friend and her dad. The news gets out at school, the two girls stop speaking and Harper moves with her mom to a tiny house on a large piece of property that includes a horse barn and multiple arenas, paddocks and grazing areas. Never being a horse person and still reeling from the impending divorce and the brokenness of her friendship with Cat, Harper is struggling to find any spark of happiness when an equally broken horse is practically dropped on her doorstep and everything changes. Determined to nurse this abused and nearly starved horse back to health, Harper finds a purpose and then finds she is able to open her heart to a new place and new friends.
Harper’s reactions to such an abrupt end to her parents’ marriage run the gamut including sadness, anger and confusion and are shared realistically. Her stubbornness over keeping the abandoned and abused horse is also clear and will further cause readers to connect with her mixed up and battered heart and then cheer at the end when healing begins between Harper and Cat and even her philandering father. Harper’s surprised pleasure in riding a horse is expressed clearly in Bradley’s excellent writing and her hope of someday riding Phoenix is just as aptly described when the still-skinny and not yet recovered enough to ride horse takes off in a burst of freedom and joy. The direction of subsequent installments in the new series is clear: further recovery of Phoenix and some way for Harper to keep her; continued healing of Harper’s broken relationships; and growth in riding skills by 8 yr old Emma and 6th graders Harper, Dante, Night, and Carine.
Text is free of profanity. The violence against Phoenix is not detailed and while the affair between Harper’s dad and Cat’s mom is understood, Bradley is careful in how it is described and skirts around the sexual aspect very discreetly. Representation: Harper and her parents present as Caucasian; Miss Chelsea, the owner/instruction of the horse ranch is Black and in two places there is a brief reference to her wife Jessie; Emma is likely also Black and is described as brown-skinned, with multiple beaded braids; Dante has Puerto Rican heritage and his skin is noted as lighter than Emma’s; Night uses they/them pronouns and at first meeting, Dante introduces himself with name and his pronouns of he/him, indicates Night’s choice and while Harper fumbles a bit with hers, she follows suit; Carine and her mother are Caucasian and it becomes clear at the first introduction of the pair that this mom has developed strong biases and prejudices and while Carine seems embarrassed by her mother’s blatant and sometimes more subtle stereotyping, she has some trouble with the clear mix of racial heritage and economic levels of those at the new stables where she boards her horse and takes lessons. Certainly there is more coming with Carine’s strained relationship with her demanding, rude and pushy mother.
Recommended highly for those with horse-loving readers, especially ones who need less than 200 pages. No illustrations included.
Thanks for the eARC, NetGalley.
Harper and her parents are comfortably settled in Knoxville with good jobs, in a great school and all with positive connections to the community when a Big Bomb drops and the affair between the mom of Harper’s best friend and her dad. The news gets out at school, the two girls stop speaking and Harper moves with her mom to a tiny house on a large piece of property that includes a horse barn and multiple arenas, paddocks and grazing areas. Never being a horse person and still reeling from the impending divorce and the brokenness of her friendship with Cat, Harper is struggling to find any spark of happiness when an equally broken horse is practically dropped on her doorstep and everything changes. Determined to nurse this abused and nearly starved horse back to health, Harper finds a purpose and then finds she is able to open her heart to a new place and new friends.
Harper’s reactions to such an abrupt end to her parents’ marriage run the gamut including sadness, anger and confusion and are shared realistically. Her stubbornness over keeping the abandoned and abused horse is also clear and will further cause readers to connect with her mixed up and battered heart and then cheer at the end when healing begins between Harper and Cat and even her philandering father. Harper’s surprised pleasure in riding a horse is expressed clearly in Bradley’s excellent writing and her hope of someday riding Phoenix is just as aptly described when the still-skinny and not yet recovered enough to ride horse takes off in a burst of freedom and joy. The direction of subsequent installments in the new series is clear: further recovery of Phoenix and some way for Harper to keep her; continued healing of Harper’s broken relationships; and growth in riding skills by 8 yr old Emma and 6th graders Harper, Dante, Night, and Carine.
Text is free of profanity. The violence against Phoenix is not detailed and while the affair between Harper’s dad and Cat’s mom is understood, Bradley is careful in how it is described and skirts around the sexual aspect very discreetly. Representation: Harper and her parents present as Caucasian; Miss Chelsea, the owner/instruction of the horse ranch is Black and in two places there is a brief reference to her wife Jessie; Emma is likely also Black and is described as brown-skinned, with multiple beaded braids; Dante has Puerto Rican heritage and his skin is noted as lighter than Emma’s; Night uses they/them pronouns and at first meeting, Dante introduces himself with name and his pronouns of he/him, indicates Night’s choice and while Harper fumbles a bit with hers, she follows suit; Carine and her mother are Caucasian and it becomes clear at the first introduction of the pair that this mom has developed strong biases and prejudices and while Carine seems embarrassed by her mother’s blatant and sometimes more subtle stereotyping, she has some trouble with the clear mix of racial heritage and economic levels of those at the new stables where she boards her horse and takes lessons. Certainly there is more coming with Carine’s strained relationship with her demanding, rude and pushy mother.
Recommended highly for those with horse-loving readers, especially ones who need less than 200 pages. No illustrations included.
Thanks for the eARC, NetGalley.
March 15, 2026
Harper and her mother have suddenly up and moved away to a new home. A very tiny home next to a horse barn. They left after Harper’s father became the scandal of the school with her best friend’s mother. Harper is sad, and angry and lonely, until a mostly dead horse shows up in her life.
I like the horse stuff and I have absolutely loved books by Bradley in the past. I think my unease with this book is personal. Every word and phrase is so measured to deliver the highest emotional-social impact. Everyone, who was on the side of right, chose the exact correct phrases and words. Ones I’ve only ever heard from adults schooling the world on proper sensitive behavior. Maybe I’m reading too many adult books these days to enjoy this sort of pedantry directed at kids.
I like the horse stuff and I have absolutely loved books by Bradley in the past. I think my unease with this book is personal. Every word and phrase is so measured to deliver the highest emotional-social impact. Everyone, who was on the side of right, chose the exact correct phrases and words. Ones I’ve only ever heard from adults schooling the world on proper sensitive behavior. Maybe I’m reading too many adult books these days to enjoy this sort of pedantry directed at kids.
March 6, 2026
This is a sweet younger middle grade story that would be wonderful for readers looking for an entertaining book that also gently explores heavier topics such as divorce, depression, anxiety, and starting at a new school.
Even as an adult, I found it both engaging and enjoyable. Kids who love horses will especially appreciate the relationship that develops here—it’s heartfelt and adds a lot of emotional depth to the story.
I also appreciated the way the mother supports her child throughout the book. While it might not be exactly how I would approach parenting, her encouragement and presence felt genuine and caring, which added another layer to the narrative.
This would be a great addition to a classroom or school library, especially for students who need a book for a report or discussion. While it’s certainly entertaining, it also offers meaningful themes and emotional depth that give readers plenty to think about beyond the story itself.
I am thankful to have received a complimentary ALC from Penguin Random House Audio via their influencer program which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.
Even as an adult, I found it both engaging and enjoyable. Kids who love horses will especially appreciate the relationship that develops here—it’s heartfelt and adds a lot of emotional depth to the story.
I also appreciated the way the mother supports her child throughout the book. While it might not be exactly how I would approach parenting, her encouragement and presence felt genuine and caring, which added another layer to the narrative.
This would be a great addition to a classroom or school library, especially for students who need a book for a report or discussion. While it’s certainly entertaining, it also offers meaningful themes and emotional depth that give readers plenty to think about beyond the story itself.
I am thankful to have received a complimentary ALC from Penguin Random House Audio via their influencer program which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
E ARC provided by Netgalley
Harper and her mother Beth move suddenly from Knoxville, Tennessee to Sommer Springs after Harper's father has an affair with the mother of Harper's best friend Cat, who lives across the street. Unwilling to put up with the gossip, Beth finds another nursing job and a very small house to rent where their Great Pyrenees dog, Harvey, is welcome. The rural community is very different; on the way into town, Harper sees dead chickens strung up on a clothesline, and the home they are renting is right next to a horse stable. This is run by Miss Chelsea, whose wife is a doctor. Several children from Harper's 6th grade class ride at the stables, and she meets Dante, Night (who uses they/them pronouns), and Emma. Harper is very angry about the reasons for moving, and has fallen out with Cat, so feels very isolated. She spends a lot of time watching the others ride, and talks to them briefly on the bus. Dante knows that Harper isn't talking because she is sad, and doesn't push her. When a "kill truck" shows up at the stables when everyone is done, Harper ends up with a very sick horse given to her! She and her mother do an internet search for how to properly care for the ailing animal, and end up feeding it tiny bits of hay around the clock. Miss Chelsea agrees to help with the horse, although she wants to buy it from Harper, who refuses to sell it. Harper equates the horses experience of being "thrown away" with her own father's dismissal of her. There is a lot of concern about the cost of owning a horse, which is considerable, but Harper is adamant that she be allowed to keep the horse, whom she names Phoenix, although her mother inquires about perhaps turning the animal over to a horse rescue. Harper ends up working at the stable in the morning to help pay for Phoenix's upkeep. When she returns from a tense weekend at her father's, she sees a woman, Ms. Rawlings, who is attempting to feed Phoenix and has called the police about what she considers an abused animal. There is a tense standoff, complete with nasty microaggressions where Ms. Rawlings assumes Dante is a stable groom because he is Latine. Carine Rawlings and her horse start participating in the lessons and practices, but it takes a while for her to fit in. Phoenix continues to improve, although the path is rocky. This is the first book in a purported series.
I'm always looking for books for readers who would love to own their own horses, but I'm debating this one. While there are good details about caring for an ailing horse, as well as about riding and stable life, there is a lot of discussion about the father's affair, even though Bradley is so circumspect in her treatment of the topic that younger readers won't even understand that an affair occurred. Harper is 11, and there is talk about her attending therapy, but she doesn't manage to get to a therapist even though she is having a very difficult time. Readers who like horses will have to make it far enough into the book, and they may not, since Harper is afraid of horses at the beginning, and doesn't really want anything to do with the stables.
The fact that this starts with the description of the dead chickens and Harper's reaction to them doesn't do this book any favors. I usually enjoy Bradley's books, but this was far more like Fighting Words than her popular historical titles like The War That Saved My Life.
Harper and her mother Beth move suddenly from Knoxville, Tennessee to Sommer Springs after Harper's father has an affair with the mother of Harper's best friend Cat, who lives across the street. Unwilling to put up with the gossip, Beth finds another nursing job and a very small house to rent where their Great Pyrenees dog, Harvey, is welcome. The rural community is very different; on the way into town, Harper sees dead chickens strung up on a clothesline, and the home they are renting is right next to a horse stable. This is run by Miss Chelsea, whose wife is a doctor. Several children from Harper's 6th grade class ride at the stables, and she meets Dante, Night (who uses they/them pronouns), and Emma. Harper is very angry about the reasons for moving, and has fallen out with Cat, so feels very isolated. She spends a lot of time watching the others ride, and talks to them briefly on the bus. Dante knows that Harper isn't talking because she is sad, and doesn't push her. When a "kill truck" shows up at the stables when everyone is done, Harper ends up with a very sick horse given to her! She and her mother do an internet search for how to properly care for the ailing animal, and end up feeding it tiny bits of hay around the clock. Miss Chelsea agrees to help with the horse, although she wants to buy it from Harper, who refuses to sell it. Harper equates the horses experience of being "thrown away" with her own father's dismissal of her. There is a lot of concern about the cost of owning a horse, which is considerable, but Harper is adamant that she be allowed to keep the horse, whom she names Phoenix, although her mother inquires about perhaps turning the animal over to a horse rescue. Harper ends up working at the stable in the morning to help pay for Phoenix's upkeep. When she returns from a tense weekend at her father's, she sees a woman, Ms. Rawlings, who is attempting to feed Phoenix and has called the police about what she considers an abused animal. There is a tense standoff, complete with nasty microaggressions where Ms. Rawlings assumes Dante is a stable groom because he is Latine. Carine Rawlings and her horse start participating in the lessons and practices, but it takes a while for her to fit in. Phoenix continues to improve, although the path is rocky. This is the first book in a purported series.
I'm always looking for books for readers who would love to own their own horses, but I'm debating this one. While there are good details about caring for an ailing horse, as well as about riding and stable life, there is a lot of discussion about the father's affair, even though Bradley is so circumspect in her treatment of the topic that younger readers won't even understand that an affair occurred. Harper is 11, and there is talk about her attending therapy, but she doesn't manage to get to a therapist even though she is having a very difficult time. Readers who like horses will have to make it far enough into the book, and they may not, since Harper is afraid of horses at the beginning, and doesn't really want anything to do with the stables.
The fact that this starts with the description of the dead chickens and Harper's reaction to them doesn't do this book any favors. I usually enjoy Bradley's books, but this was far more like Fighting Words than her popular historical titles like The War That Saved My Life.
March 21, 2026
Short and satisfying! I loved it and I have never in my life been the slightest bit interested in horses. 🤷
March 27, 2026
So disappointed! I love this author and was excited to see this new offering in junior fiction. The horse information was good but too much. I know it's the first in a series but I was left with too much unresolved sadness. The parents are lacking and failing their daughter. And other kids are so messed up in the story, too. To top it off 11-year olds are talking about microaggressions at the lunch table. Say what?!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I'm grateful to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book from a favorite author.
The story was very good, following a young female main character who moves to a small town after her family experiences a major trauma.
I think the plot was compelling with some relatable points for middle grade radersand it had excellent pacing for the most part, but it ended abruptly and with quite a few unresolved story lines. I know it's part of a series but it needed more.
I also think this should have been for older teens. There were quite a few mature themes that I struggle thinking are appropriate for the young middle grade age it's aimed towards (the main character is 11)- parental infidelity, abandonment, racism, non-binary gender, animal abuse. I could see these being much more emotionally challenging than the reader it's geared towards might be able to handle or understand. It felt like a lot to address in a short book and I wish it had focused on any one of the issues so that as a parent there could be deeper more specific conversations on one heavy topic instead of the emotional whiplash I was left with at the end.
Because of that, I can't recommend it to anyone younger than 13 at the very youngest and would definitely advise parents to preread first.
The story was very good, following a young female main character who moves to a small town after her family experiences a major trauma.
I think the plot was compelling with some relatable points for middle grade radersand it had excellent pacing for the most part, but it ended abruptly and with quite a few unresolved story lines. I know it's part of a series but it needed more.
I also think this should have been for older teens. There were quite a few mature themes that I struggle thinking are appropriate for the young middle grade age it's aimed towards (the main character is 11)- parental infidelity, abandonment, racism, non-binary gender, animal abuse. I could see these being much more emotionally challenging than the reader it's geared towards might be able to handle or understand. It felt like a lot to address in a short book and I wish it had focused on any one of the issues so that as a parent there could be deeper more specific conversations on one heavy topic instead of the emotional whiplash I was left with at the end.
Because of that, I can't recommend it to anyone younger than 13 at the very youngest and would definitely advise parents to preread first.
March 8, 2026
Phoenix tells the story of Harper, a girl whose life is upended by what she calls "The Bomb." The bomb being her parents' divorce due to her father's infidelity with her best friend's mom.
Harper and her mom move to a new town, in a tiny home owned by Ms. Chelsea, a woman who is married to a doctor and also owns a riding stable.
One day, a kill truck stops by the stable, and Harper makes a bold decision to save a dying horse that she names Phoenix. As she cares for this neglected and abused animal, she starts to open herself up to the people around her and begins to heal from her own hurt and trauma.
Overall, I thought this was an okay book, but I do think it would appeal to middle schoolers, especially animal lovers. I did think it was interesting that the author chose to include infidelity, but it's so subtly mentioned that I think it would be hard for younger readers to catch. I wasn't a huge fan of Harper, although you could feel her sadness and depression through the pages. There are also mentions of racism, and a main non-binary character.
I'm curious to see how this series unfolds!
Harper and her mom move to a new town, in a tiny home owned by Ms. Chelsea, a woman who is married to a doctor and also owns a riding stable.
One day, a kill truck stops by the stable, and Harper makes a bold decision to save a dying horse that she names Phoenix. As she cares for this neglected and abused animal, she starts to open herself up to the people around her and begins to heal from her own hurt and trauma.
Overall, I thought this was an okay book, but I do think it would appeal to middle schoolers, especially animal lovers. I did think it was interesting that the author chose to include infidelity, but it's so subtly mentioned that I think it would be hard for younger readers to catch. I wasn't a huge fan of Harper, although you could feel her sadness and depression through the pages. There are also mentions of racism, and a main non-binary character.
I'm curious to see how this series unfolds!
March 10, 2026
Harper’s life is turned upside down by the bomb that her father drops on their family. This book deals with some pretty big things (her father’s affair), but also shows how healing animals can be. I like that Harper is real with how she feels and her character seems realistic. Harper’s mom feels less realistic to me. If you had just found out your husband was having an affair and now you’re filing for divorce, wouldn’t you be more of a mess? She’s always understanding of whatever Harper wants to do. She seemed to be more of a supporting character to Harper instead of someone this actually happened to. (The biggest instance of this is when they’re driving home from visiting Cat, and her mom is singing in the car on the way home. Really?! You just visited the house of your husband’s lover and you’re singing? Nope.) The character of Phoenix is lovely. He was beautifully written. I’m eager to see what the next book holds in store for those two. Knight’s gender identity seems a little forced.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 stars
I'm here for the horse parts of the story, which were more or less well done. (Not sure how Dante got the halter over Katara's nose while her face was stuffed in a bucket for example.)
The qualms I have are all character based. The pre-teen angst is a bit different from my Saddle Club reading days. The characters all seem to vacillate between mild brattiness (I'm being generous in Harper's case here) and unrealistically mature opinions on certain things that seemed a bit much for 11.
I'm here for the horse parts of the story, which were more or less well done. (Not sure how Dante got the halter over Katara's nose while her face was stuffed in a bucket for example.)
The qualms I have are all character based. The pre-teen angst is a bit different from my Saddle Club reading days. The characters all seem to vacillate between mild brattiness (I'm being generous in Harper's case here) and unrealistically mature opinions on certain things that seemed a bit much for 11.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I liked learning about the various characters. How soon until the next book in the series is out? I have plenty of students who'd be interested in this title.
March 19, 2026
Darn. I have loved her other books but this one was a clunker for me. The precipitating crisis is very adult. Also, kids who hang out on a farm and then meet on bus and introduce themselves with their pronouns? A jarring note that distracted from the story.
March 11, 2026
I fell in love with Kimberly Brubaker Bradley’s writing while listening to The War That Saved My Life with my young son, throwing our hearts into the story of a girl who is “tempest tossed” into a new home after a life of abuse and neglect and who begins to learn to love and trust through the relationship with a pony. We have re-read it and its sequel countless times now.
In many ways Phoenix felt joyfully familiar, albeit set in a different continent and different century, but again featuring a “tempest tossed” girl reeling from trauma, feeling abandoned, who despite having no previous love of horses finds connection and purpose through a relationship with a horse who had literally been thrown off a kill truck to die. Though Phoenix is firmly set in 2026, with very real 2026 scenarios including parental infidelity, the heart of both books is unmistakably the author’s love of horses and deep understanding that, as a character says in The War I Finally Won: horses help.
The audiobook felt very short to me, being used to the length and pacing of the author’s other novels, but I know my horse-loving readers will devour this and future books in the planned Ride On series.
The trauma of parental infidelity and unexpected divorce felt appropriately disorienting, and the author does an amazing job of creating a likeable main character whose communication and friend-making skills are relatably flawed and awkward.
The one element that felt a bit forced was the introduction of the delightful nonbinary character, Night. My now-12 year old son paused the audiobook just after the kids first introduced themselves with their pronouns to say bluntly, “Mom. I love her [meaning Kimberly Brubaker Bradley] but low key for real NO ONE in middle school says their pronouns. And like mostly everyone would be chill about a nonbinary kid on the bus but it would still, like, be unusual. So like, they wouldn’t just like, be like, hey, I’m they/them and like everyone else just say pronouns like its just how middle school kids now introduce themselves. It’s not like that. Kids don’t talk like that. We might be like, “oh, you’re nonbinary?” And like talk about it, openly. But not introduce with pronouns like it’s just what middle school normal is.”
That said…that’s only a small critique from a 7th grader very sensitive to how his generation is depicted. He was into the book otherwise, though its target readers are younger.
I loved the diversity of representation, including economic diversity. And I can’t wait for the next installment.
Highly recommended for elementary school libraries.
In many ways Phoenix felt joyfully familiar, albeit set in a different continent and different century, but again featuring a “tempest tossed” girl reeling from trauma, feeling abandoned, who despite having no previous love of horses finds connection and purpose through a relationship with a horse who had literally been thrown off a kill truck to die. Though Phoenix is firmly set in 2026, with very real 2026 scenarios including parental infidelity, the heart of both books is unmistakably the author’s love of horses and deep understanding that, as a character says in The War I Finally Won: horses help.
The audiobook felt very short to me, being used to the length and pacing of the author’s other novels, but I know my horse-loving readers will devour this and future books in the planned Ride On series.
The trauma of parental infidelity and unexpected divorce felt appropriately disorienting, and the author does an amazing job of creating a likeable main character whose communication and friend-making skills are relatably flawed and awkward.
The one element that felt a bit forced was the introduction of the delightful nonbinary character, Night. My now-12 year old son paused the audiobook just after the kids first introduced themselves with their pronouns to say bluntly, “Mom. I love her [meaning Kimberly Brubaker Bradley] but low key for real NO ONE in middle school says their pronouns. And like mostly everyone would be chill about a nonbinary kid on the bus but it would still, like, be unusual. So like, they wouldn’t just like, be like, hey, I’m they/them and like everyone else just say pronouns like its just how middle school kids now introduce themselves. It’s not like that. Kids don’t talk like that. We might be like, “oh, you’re nonbinary?” And like talk about it, openly. But not introduce with pronouns like it’s just what middle school normal is.”
That said…that’s only a small critique from a 7th grader very sensitive to how his generation is depicted. He was into the book otherwise, though its target readers are younger.
I loved the diversity of representation, including economic diversity. And I can’t wait for the next installment.
Highly recommended for elementary school libraries.
April 2, 2026
I have had to replace my copies of The War that Saved My Life and The War I Finally Won over and over because they are so well-read and loved. I have hosted Kim Bradley at my school and sought her out at conventions and festivals to listen to her speak. I respect her work and her politics. I was thrilled that she was publishing a new series about horses because I remember her speaking so fondly of her horses to my students when she visited. And every middle school librarian out there has their horse readers, IYKYK.
*However*, Phoenix was a miss for me. I will not be handing it to every kid (horse fan or not), imploring, YOU HAVE TO READ THIS!
Harper is dealing with a lot when she finds refuge in an abused horse. The imagery (based on true events) of the kill truck and the dying horse dropped at Harper's feet is really upsetting. It could be compared to books where the dog dies, but usually the dog hasn't been starved to death. Harper and her support characters make it their mission to heal the horse, christened Phoenix, and the reader will find comfort in his convalescence, but daaaang girl. Ten-year-olds are supposed to read about a skeletal horse that can barely open its eyes and is struggling to breathe?
Parental infidelity is a constant theme in the book and the source of Harper's grief. She feels abandoned because her father was having an affair with her best friend's mother. Bradley handles this plot point carefully, but there is no question why Harper and her mother have moved two hours away from her dad, Harper's school, and her friends. There is a lot of typical divorce-splaining about this being between her parents and not anything for Harper to worry about. But Harper and the reader know the whole time Dad dropped "a Bomb" when Harper's mother discovered his relationship with the neighbor/best-friend's mom. So Harper loses her dad and her best friend in one fell swoop. It's tough.
Finally, Bradley's politics make this book an issue book. She addresses gender and racism quickly and firmly. One of the sixth-graders identifies as non-binary. In one of the scenes, Harper points out to her friends that a "microaggression" was exhibited by an adult. I have worked with middle schoolers and specifically sixth graders for thirty-two years, and not once have I ever heard a student use a term like "microaggression" correctly in context. I respect Bradley's views, but am surprised she is using her middle-grade books as a platform.
I don't know. Maybe her historical fiction novels are her bread and butter.
*However*, Phoenix was a miss for me. I will not be handing it to every kid (horse fan or not), imploring, YOU HAVE TO READ THIS!
Harper is dealing with a lot when she finds refuge in an abused horse. The imagery (based on true events) of the kill truck and the dying horse dropped at Harper's feet is really upsetting. It could be compared to books where the dog dies, but usually the dog hasn't been starved to death. Harper and her support characters make it their mission to heal the horse, christened Phoenix, and the reader will find comfort in his convalescence, but daaaang girl. Ten-year-olds are supposed to read about a skeletal horse that can barely open its eyes and is struggling to breathe?
Parental infidelity is a constant theme in the book and the source of Harper's grief. She feels abandoned because her father was having an affair with her best friend's mother. Bradley handles this plot point carefully, but there is no question why Harper and her mother have moved two hours away from her dad, Harper's school, and her friends. There is a lot of typical divorce-splaining about this being between her parents and not anything for Harper to worry about. But Harper and the reader know the whole time Dad dropped "a Bomb" when Harper's mother discovered his relationship with the neighbor/best-friend's mom. So Harper loses her dad and her best friend in one fell swoop. It's tough.
Finally, Bradley's politics make this book an issue book. She addresses gender and racism quickly and firmly. One of the sixth-graders identifies as non-binary. In one of the scenes, Harper points out to her friends that a "microaggression" was exhibited by an adult. I have worked with middle schoolers and specifically sixth graders for thirty-two years, and not once have I ever heard a student use a term like "microaggression" correctly in context. I respect Bradley's views, but am surprised she is using her middle-grade books as a platform.
I don't know. Maybe her historical fiction novels are her bread and butter.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This first book of a new series is obviously meant to hook horse lovers and it will. Readers have to first find out how Harper, the main character, ends up being around horses. She is horrified one day at school that people are looking at her and talking about her family. Her best friend looks guilty. This is how Harper discovers that her father and her best friend's mother are more than neighbors. Harper and her mother pack up and leave quickly. They end up on a horse farm in a tiny home with Harper's Great White Pyrenees. Harper has to start a new school, connect with new kids without them learning the horror story of her life at the moment, and find a way to stop being so angry about her life circumstances. Her Mom makes her keep talking to her Dad, but they don't talk about the real issue much. Harper notices a truck pull up next door one day while the barn folks are off at a horse show. The people driving the truck want to leave a horse that collapsed. Harper knows nothing about horses, but she does not trust these guys (nor does her loyal dog). After they drag the downed horse to a paddock next to her house, Harper tries to help the horse. Her Mom gets back and tells her the starving horse cannot be fed just anything. Immediately her Mom supports her decision to try to help the horse and seems to convince the owner of stable, as well. Most of the rest of the story is about the horse, but the story about what happened to her family and reconnecting with her old best friend is also there. No great conclusions on that front, but readers will love the last scene with Harper and her horse as offers good opportunities for them in the next book. I am grateful to Netgalley for allowing me to read the book before the publication date.
I read this book virtually before its publication, so changes may have been made once published.
I really have a great deal of respect for Kimberly Brubaker Bradley and I am impressed with her horse knowledge in this book. I was unsettled by the school scene where Harper and other students stand at lunch. It just felt so very wrong. I was not very comfortable with the school night out of the blue need to talk to her old best friend one night. With the focus on the horse that needed fed every 3 hours, it felt off. Those are minimal issues, though, if my avid horse fans have the opportunity for a great horse series that could be the next Heartland craze.
I read this book virtually before its publication, so changes may have been made once published.
I really have a great deal of respect for Kimberly Brubaker Bradley and I am impressed with her horse knowledge in this book. I was unsettled by the school scene where Harper and other students stand at lunch. It just felt so very wrong. I was not very comfortable with the school night out of the blue need to talk to her old best friend one night. With the focus on the horse that needed fed every 3 hours, it felt off. Those are minimal issues, though, if my avid horse fans have the opportunity for a great horse series that could be the next Heartland craze.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Phoenix is the story of a girl named Harper that has to move due to her parent’s divorce. She acquires a horse and learns to take care of and ride horses. I thought the story was mediocre. I am usually a huge fan of Kimberly Brubaker Bradley’s books, but this one fell flat for me. The storyline was fine, but I found myself not liking the characters making it hard to have any emotion toward the book. This book also has a non-binary character. Typically when people speak of nonbinary characters in a way that others don’t like, it is deemed as intolerant and evil, so I will preface this with saying that it comes out of a place of love and respect for all people, though that likely does little good to appease people that disagree. Nonbinary people have the body of a male or female, but don’t feel like they are either. The pain and trauma suffered by people with gender confusion is real, and all people have dignity and deserve respect. Part of loving a person requires us to speak the truth. The truth is that gender is not fluid and sex reassignment surgeries damage the body. This book is written for lower middle grade readers as the target audience which makes this character and the pronouns confusing for young kids. Kids at this age may just be beginning to read chapter books and learning about pronouns. In this book, the nonbinary character is referred to as they, and multiple people together are also referred to as they in sentences close together which can be very confusing, especially for 9 year old readers. It also teaches kids that they can change their gender based on how they feel. We are so much more than our preferred activities, and do not need kids to decide they are the opposite gender just because they like activities that don’t fit the traditional gender roles of our society. Nonbinary characters do not belong in middle grade novels. That being said, I do think the book had some strengths. The storyline of Harper’s relationships with other characters and her horse would appeal to many young readers. The book was compelling enough to hold my interest through it, and I thought it was a quick read which would be a good introduction to build stamina when beginning to transition to longer chapter books. I was excited to read a new book by one of my favorite authors. I am thankful to NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of this book. I give it 3 stars.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
11-year-old Harper is dealing with too much change in her life. Her parents are getting a divorce after her father was caught with her best friend's mom doing something jerkish that he really, really shouldn't be doing. What's worse, everyone at school seems to know about it and Harper is just positive that her best friend Cat is responsible for the rumor getting out. Harper and her mom need a fresh start, so they move from Knoxville to a small Tennessee town to live in a cottage on a ranch. Harper isn't sure about their new town, the kids are nice enough, but life is different. Most of the friendly kids take horse riding lessons at the ranch where Harper lives, but Harper has never ridden a horse, nor has she shown an interest in horses. Until one day when some men in a horse trailer stop at the ranch with a near death horse they want to drop off. Harper is the only one around, so she agrees to let them drop the horse if they will give it to her. Harper doesn't know the first thing about saving and rehabbing a horse, but she is determined to learn. Naming her new horse Phoenix, Harper is sure the horse will help her rise from her own flames.
I love Kimberly Brubaker Bradley for her strong, smart characters working through difficult situations, and this book falls firmly in that camp. As a distinctly non-horse girlie, I can honestly take or leave the horse content. That being said, if someone is interested in reading this book only because there's a horse, there are many "horse" books I would probably recommend first. What this book does really well is show how animals (and caring for someone other than yourself) can help us to process and work through difficult situations. Phoenix allows Harper to make friends and start to feel like herself again after her world went reeling. Harper's dad's affair is not glossed over, but it is also deftly handled in a way that is not too graphic for young readers. The reality is that children as young as Harper have parents who engage in affairs and unfortunately kids need to know how to navigate that. As a child I watched the movie Hope Floats wayyy too many times (they re-ran it a lot on ABC Family) so nothing in this book really struck me as too advance for a regular middle grade reader. That being said, as always, adults can decide what works for their own readers.
A big thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for an early copy of this book.
I love Kimberly Brubaker Bradley for her strong, smart characters working through difficult situations, and this book falls firmly in that camp. As a distinctly non-horse girlie, I can honestly take or leave the horse content. That being said, if someone is interested in reading this book only because there's a horse, there are many "horse" books I would probably recommend first. What this book does really well is show how animals (and caring for someone other than yourself) can help us to process and work through difficult situations. Phoenix allows Harper to make friends and start to feel like herself again after her world went reeling. Harper's dad's affair is not glossed over, but it is also deftly handled in a way that is not too graphic for young readers. The reality is that children as young as Harper have parents who engage in affairs and unfortunately kids need to know how to navigate that. As a child I watched the movie Hope Floats wayyy too many times (they re-ran it a lot on ABC Family) so nothing in this book really struck me as too advance for a regular middle grade reader. That being said, as always, adults can decide what works for their own readers.
A big thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for an early copy of this book.
March 9, 2026
Harper's life just went pear-shaped. All of a sudden, her parents are divorcing. Then there are rumors at school that Harper's dad had an affair with Cat's mom--and Cat is Harper's best friend and neighbor. Did Cat know? Did she spread the rumors? Why did she look guilty and run away when Harper saw her at school? Soon Harper and her mom have moved two hours away to a tiny house in a small town, and Harper has to go to a new school, and she doesn't want any of it. Their house abuts a horse farm, and Harper can watch riding lessons from her back porch, but she's never been on a horse and has no interest in trying. She sees kids from school taking lessons, and a couple of them are in her class and seem...you know, nice, but Harper's in a bad place for making friends, so it takes a while to stick. And that's before the kill truck. Before a truck full of doomed horses stops by the farm when everyone is away at a show, and asks if they can leave a horse behind--one who collapsed on the truck. Harper says yes. And then she falls in love with the scrawny, starved horse, and is determined to do everything she can to save him.
Bradley is an excellent writer so no surprise that this was really well done. It all felt so organic and believable and completely messy because that's life. Harper struggles with friendships and makes mistakes, both with Cat (making assumptions and not confirming them) and with new friend Dante, who is Latine (taking on a microagressor when she should have let Dante react the way he wanted--it's not her fight). But she always tries, and stands up for herself, and especially stands up for Phoenix, the horse. I loved that everyone (but Harper) was completely realistic about the cost of owning a horse, and caring for a horse, because I think that's really important for horse-loving kids to know. Owning a horse is definitely not for everyone! I also loved that Knight, one of Harper's new friends, is nonbinary. Just so much about this to love! Thanks to Libro.FM for a free educator's copy of the audiobook.
Bradley is an excellent writer so no surprise that this was really well done. It all felt so organic and believable and completely messy because that's life. Harper struggles with friendships and makes mistakes, both with Cat (making assumptions and not confirming them) and with new friend Dante, who is Latine (taking on a microagressor when she should have let Dante react the way he wanted--it's not her fight). But she always tries, and stands up for herself, and especially stands up for Phoenix, the horse. I loved that everyone (but Harper) was completely realistic about the cost of owning a horse, and caring for a horse, because I think that's really important for horse-loving kids to know. Owning a horse is definitely not for everyone! I also loved that Knight, one of Harper's new friends, is nonbinary. Just so much about this to love! Thanks to Libro.FM for a free educator's copy of the audiobook.
March 24, 2026
Thank you to PRH Audio for the audiobook, and Dial Books for Young Readers for the early advanced reader's copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Having not read any of this award-winning author's other books, I may have gone into this one with too high of expectations. I knew Kimberly Brubaker Bradley had amazing middle grade historical fiction, but this contemporary realistic fiction (Phoenix) left me underwhelmed.
The main character is 11 year old Harper, whose parents just split up (an event she always refers to as "the bomb"). She and her mom have moved away, and are now living next to a horse farm. The marriage fell apart because dad had an affair with Cat's mom (Cat being Harper's best friend), so that friendship has taken a huge hit. Harper is fearful of horses, but when a neglected horse is dropped in her yard, Harper knows she has to care for him and help him heal (and in doing so, begin to heal herself).
I struggled with this book because I can't decide who is the appropriate audience. The subject matter and big feelings Harper has skew toward older middle grade readers. But the writing style, vocabulary, and feel of much of the story leans younger. The publisher suggest ages 10-14, which I think is a good guideline, with the added benefit maybe that even struggling readers in that age range should be able to read this fairly easily. (In other words, an average or below average 12 year old could related to a lot of the content and maturity of the topics, and feel like the writing, book length, story complexity is accessible.)
The book is the first of a series, so a lot of it is introducing characters, framing the Pony club and horse world, and setting up future stories. The ending definitely felt abrupt. Not like a cliffhanger, but just that there was a lot more I wanted of Harper's and Phoenix's stories, that will probably be covered in future books.
The narrator's voice is very pleasing to listen to, so kid readers would probably enjoy the audiobook as well.
Having not read any of this award-winning author's other books, I may have gone into this one with too high of expectations. I knew Kimberly Brubaker Bradley had amazing middle grade historical fiction, but this contemporary realistic fiction (Phoenix) left me underwhelmed.
The main character is 11 year old Harper, whose parents just split up (an event she always refers to as "the bomb"). She and her mom have moved away, and are now living next to a horse farm. The marriage fell apart because dad had an affair with Cat's mom (Cat being Harper's best friend), so that friendship has taken a huge hit. Harper is fearful of horses, but when a neglected horse is dropped in her yard, Harper knows she has to care for him and help him heal (and in doing so, begin to heal herself).
I struggled with this book because I can't decide who is the appropriate audience. The subject matter and big feelings Harper has skew toward older middle grade readers. But the writing style, vocabulary, and feel of much of the story leans younger. The publisher suggest ages 10-14, which I think is a good guideline, with the added benefit maybe that even struggling readers in that age range should be able to read this fairly easily. (In other words, an average or below average 12 year old could related to a lot of the content and maturity of the topics, and feel like the writing, book length, story complexity is accessible.)
The book is the first of a series, so a lot of it is introducing characters, framing the Pony club and horse world, and setting up future stories. The ending definitely felt abrupt. Not like a cliffhanger, but just that there was a lot more I wanted of Harper's and Phoenix's stories, that will probably be covered in future books.
The narrator's voice is very pleasing to listen to, so kid readers would probably enjoy the audiobook as well.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I had high expectations for Phoenix, due to author acclaim. Kimberly Brubaker Bradley met those expectations, delivering a solid middle grade horse book with a lot of heart and nuance. This is absolutely a book for all the horse-obsessed kids out there, and it checks off all the desirable horse-book points: knowledgeable author, lovely horses, special relationships between animals and humans, competition and/or redemption arcs. I am less fond of the brief appearance of a couple of horse-book tropes (I am not a fan of instantaneously skilled riders, and the stuck up horse kid and overly intense parent are over used tropes imo), but KBB does some interesting things with the tropes (briefly flipping the rich horse owner trope upside down by showing that wealth and importance aren't always on display, and the showiest people aren't always the wealthiest or most skilled).
As essential as the horses are to the story, I think the conversation they facilitate is the true heart of Phoenix: that no one, horse or child, ever deserves to be thrown away. I love the clear communication that even a "bad" horse doesn't deserve the neglect and starvation that Phoenix experienced, and the vivid understanding that Harper communicates, that she also feels like she was thrown away. And I was deeply satisfied with the message that even though what she wants to convince her dad of is that she wasn't a bad kid and shouldn't have been thrown away, that the adults in her life surpassed her needed communication: they knew that no kid, good, bad, or terrible, deserves to be thrown away.
This heartfelt message, skillfully communicated, is what lifts Phoenix beyond the "horse-book for horse crazy kids" category and into the "book for all the kids who are hurting and need comfort and redemption" category. And since that's pretty much all kids some of the time, this is a book with wide appeal. I highly recommend it.
As essential as the horses are to the story, I think the conversation they facilitate is the true heart of Phoenix: that no one, horse or child, ever deserves to be thrown away. I love the clear communication that even a "bad" horse doesn't deserve the neglect and starvation that Phoenix experienced, and the vivid understanding that Harper communicates, that she also feels like she was thrown away. And I was deeply satisfied with the message that even though what she wants to convince her dad of is that she wasn't a bad kid and shouldn't have been thrown away, that the adults in her life surpassed her needed communication: they knew that no kid, good, bad, or terrible, deserves to be thrown away.
This heartfelt message, skillfully communicated, is what lifts Phoenix beyond the "horse-book for horse crazy kids" category and into the "book for all the kids who are hurting and need comfort and redemption" category. And since that's pretty much all kids some of the time, this is a book with wide appeal. I highly recommend it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Phoenix is a great girls book! Great for any horse-loving, horse owning, horse-crazy girl! Harper's life has been turned upside-down, new place, new life and then she quickly discovers the world of horses when a horse is dropped off at the farm when no one else is around. Her world has changed when she did not ask it to, new house, new school, new people, she has no real interest in horses but living on a horse farm, she is upset by the injustices of others and always wants to do something about them, and she is, trying to accept a lot of things she did not ask for. She went from her big house with her best friend across the street to a tiny house, watching riding lessons from her porch, alone, after school with no friends. Little does she know how much a horse, Pheonix, will help her understand these parts of life she cannot change or do anything about (horses can sometimes do these things for us). That there are things we cannot control, there are a lot of things in life that are not right, unfair and unjust, but we can only accept them and figure out what we can do, and sometimes that means doing nothing. And sometimes we make mistakes and have to apologize or have difficult conversations.
This is a great girl-read! Any girl looking for a great animal/horse story, this is one to read! Well written and fun to read, a good horse-crazy girl read. It is a good length for the avid or not-so-avid reader to enjoy the book. I was a horse-crazy girl in my youth (and now a horse-crazy adult) and this would have been a favorite book of mine had it been written when I was the age these books were written for. I read it in two sittings. It is an excellent read with some under-laying good lessons about life.
The book is very well written and the characters relatable with a very inclusive side to the book. Pronouns and lifestyle choices are included in the read so this is very much of book of this time.
This is a great girl-read! Any girl looking for a great animal/horse story, this is one to read! Well written and fun to read, a good horse-crazy girl read. It is a good length for the avid or not-so-avid reader to enjoy the book. I was a horse-crazy girl in my youth (and now a horse-crazy adult) and this would have been a favorite book of mine had it been written when I was the age these books were written for. I read it in two sittings. It is an excellent read with some under-laying good lessons about life.
The book is very well written and the characters relatable with a very inclusive side to the book. Pronouns and lifestyle choices are included in the read so this is very much of book of this time.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5/5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for providing me with this ARC.
Harper's life has gone off the rails with what she refers to as "the bomb." Her dad's extramarital affair has sent her away from her school and best friend, Cat, to make a new home in small town Kentucky with her mom. Their new home is not a "cute" tiny house, just really tiny. She feels heartbroken, insecure, and "thrown away" by her dad.
Fortunately, the tiny house sits adjacent to a stable. Harper has never had an especial interest in horses, but she finds herself taking an interest in the lessons she can watch from her porch. Then another bomb (this time a good one) is dropped into her life: a young horse is dumped at the stable by a truck on the way to the kill pen. He is near death, skeletal, and covered in small cuts. Harper takes one look and falls in love. She decides to devote her life to "her" horse, whom she aptly names Phoenix.
Stories of people saved by the act of caring for another creature are nothing new, but this is a sweet and fresh take on the trope. As a former horse girl myself, I loved being immersed in this story, which is basically a childhood dream of mine come true (minus the implied animal abuse). As Harper navigates caring for a very sick animal and winning his trust, she begins to heal a bit from the wounds she is carrying in parallel to Phoenix. Near the end of the book she is at last able to face some of the pain she has avoided confronting back at her dad's.
This is the first installment of the new Ride On series for middle grade readers. I assume subsequent volumes will explore the stories of Harper's new friends at the stable. It's a winner and just slightly off of the five star mark for me, in part because the side characters are just a bit too unfailingly jovial and mature to ring entirely true.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for providing me with this ARC.
Harper's life has gone off the rails with what she refers to as "the bomb." Her dad's extramarital affair has sent her away from her school and best friend, Cat, to make a new home in small town Kentucky with her mom. Their new home is not a "cute" tiny house, just really tiny. She feels heartbroken, insecure, and "thrown away" by her dad.
Fortunately, the tiny house sits adjacent to a stable. Harper has never had an especial interest in horses, but she finds herself taking an interest in the lessons she can watch from her porch. Then another bomb (this time a good one) is dropped into her life: a young horse is dumped at the stable by a truck on the way to the kill pen. He is near death, skeletal, and covered in small cuts. Harper takes one look and falls in love. She decides to devote her life to "her" horse, whom she aptly names Phoenix.
Stories of people saved by the act of caring for another creature are nothing new, but this is a sweet and fresh take on the trope. As a former horse girl myself, I loved being immersed in this story, which is basically a childhood dream of mine come true (minus the implied animal abuse). As Harper navigates caring for a very sick animal and winning his trust, she begins to heal a bit from the wounds she is carrying in parallel to Phoenix. Near the end of the book she is at last able to face some of the pain she has avoided confronting back at her dad's.
This is the first installment of the new Ride On series for middle grade readers. I assume subsequent volumes will explore the stories of Harper's new friends at the stable. It's a winner and just slightly off of the five star mark for me, in part because the side characters are just a bit too unfailingly jovial and mature to ring entirely true.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4 stars
Having loved previous books by this author, particularly historical fiction, I could not wait to get into this contemporary realistic middle grade world. I'm not an incoming horse girl, but I'm here for it, and I'll root for Harper ALL the way through this charming series.
Harper is an only child, but she does have a best friend, Cat, who lives right across the street. These two make all kinds of plans together and are packed with meaningful memories. Unfortunately, they've recently made a new memory that is sure to be fodder for their respective therapists' couches through the rest of their childhoods, if they're lucky, and definitely into adulthood. The immediate result is swifter than years of processing. Harper is making a big move with her mom away from her dad, Cat, and the life she has known.
Now a country gal, Harper is struggling with aspects of her new life, but the influx of characters - some great new friends (peers and beyond) and animals - make it hard for her to feel so alone for the long haul. There's a lot of sadness, uncertainty, and frustration to manage, but there is also a lot of hope to enjoy. Like all good middle grade works, readers cannot miss the symbolism running throughout, so the important messages come across clearly. Readers also get to be present for some tough, real conversations, and I know those will support readers going through related scenarios or watching their friends do the same.
I really enjoyed this newest middle grade work from Bradley, and I am thrilled it appears to be the start of a series. I'll be anxiously awaiting updates on Harper's antics!
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Dial Books for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Having loved previous books by this author, particularly historical fiction, I could not wait to get into this contemporary realistic middle grade world. I'm not an incoming horse girl, but I'm here for it, and I'll root for Harper ALL the way through this charming series.
Harper is an only child, but she does have a best friend, Cat, who lives right across the street. These two make all kinds of plans together and are packed with meaningful memories. Unfortunately, they've recently made a new memory that is sure to be fodder for their respective therapists' couches through the rest of their childhoods, if they're lucky, and definitely into adulthood. The immediate result is swifter than years of processing. Harper is making a big move with her mom away from her dad, Cat, and the life she has known.
Now a country gal, Harper is struggling with aspects of her new life, but the influx of characters - some great new friends (peers and beyond) and animals - make it hard for her to feel so alone for the long haul. There's a lot of sadness, uncertainty, and frustration to manage, but there is also a lot of hope to enjoy. Like all good middle grade works, readers cannot miss the symbolism running throughout, so the important messages come across clearly. Readers also get to be present for some tough, real conversations, and I know those will support readers going through related scenarios or watching their friends do the same.
I really enjoyed this newest middle grade work from Bradley, and I am thrilled it appears to be the start of a series. I'll be anxiously awaiting updates on Harper's antics!
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Dial Books for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
March 24, 2026
Eleven year old Harper is new to her small house on the edge of a horse farm. She is there because her life exploded when it became known that her dad was having an affair with the mother of her best friend and next door neighbor. Rather than face the school gossip and bullying and the loss of her best friend, she and her mom relocate to a small rural town. Harper has never thought she was a horse girl, in fact, she thought she was afraid of them. But when a horse transporter dumps off a near death horse on a day that she is the only one home, she realizes that she really wants this horse to live. She makes the men sign a document saying that the horse belonged to her. When the farm owner returns, Harper learns just how much will be involved in saving his life. She calls him Phoenix because she is determined that not only will he live but he will thrive. And he soon proves her right.
The relationship between animals and humans has been proven to be a healing one—physically and emotionally. This book tells the story of just how that relationship can do that. Both Harper and Phoenix need to heal emotionally and his need for her love and care creates a bridge they can cross together to learn to trust someone again. This book is targeted to a middle grade/YA audience but the message is one that all ages need. It is an excellent portrayal of friendship—both human and animal. Recommend to readers of middle grade/YA fiction, books about divorce, animals, horses, friendship and contemporary fiction.
The relationship between animals and humans has been proven to be a healing one—physically and emotionally. This book tells the story of just how that relationship can do that. Both Harper and Phoenix need to heal emotionally and his need for her love and care creates a bridge they can cross together to learn to trust someone again. This book is targeted to a middle grade/YA audience but the message is one that all ages need. It is an excellent portrayal of friendship—both human and animal. Recommend to readers of middle grade/YA fiction, books about divorce, animals, horses, friendship and contemporary fiction.
March 12, 2026
Middle grade contemporary realistic fiction. Harper and her mom are leaving the house and neighborhood she grew up in. She's leaving behind her Dad, her house, her school, and her best friend Kat. Her mom found a small house next door to a horse farm, where their dog Harvey is welcome. Harper finds herself watching the goings-on of the stable. One day a truck stops and wants to offload a skinny sickly horse because it can't stand on its own. With no adults around, Harper decides they can leave the horse as long as they give her written confirmation that the horse is now hers. When her mom gets home from work, together they work to safely care for the horse. Soon the farm's owner Ms. Chelsea returns. She agrees to board the horse for the foreseeable future if Harper helps out around the barn.
Harper names the horse Phoenix, determined that the horse will regain its health. She starts working both before and after school. Eventually she decides she want to ride as well, though Phoenix is not quite ready for that. As Harper tries to figure out who she is without those she built her old life around, the people and horses of the farm become her new safe place. This is a beautiful story about the healing bond one can have with animals, the power of friendship, and just keeping on when every day seems a challenge. I look forward to more of these characters as the series continues.
Harper names the horse Phoenix, determined that the horse will regain its health. She starts working both before and after school. Eventually she decides she want to ride as well, though Phoenix is not quite ready for that. As Harper tries to figure out who she is without those she built her old life around, the people and horses of the farm become her new safe place. This is a beautiful story about the healing bond one can have with animals, the power of friendship, and just keeping on when every day seems a challenge. I look forward to more of these characters as the series continues.
March 17, 2026
Harper's life gets really complicated, really fast. Her dad has an affair with her best friend's mom, and suddenly, somehow, the whole school knows about it. Harper and her mom escape to a tiny house next to a boarding stable in a little town that's two hours away from where they used to live. Harper doesn't really feel any particular way about horses, but all of that changes one day when an abused and starving horse is dumped at the stable, and she's the only one around. Harper takes ownership, and she and her mom quickly research how to care for the starved horse, whom she names Phoenix. But all the care in the world may not be enough to save him. Is Phoenix too far gone to recover?
I love the way Kimberly Brubaker Bradley writes the emotion into a book, and this is a perfect example of her skill in that regard. What looks like a standard horse girl book is all about Harper dealing with her emotions about her parents' separation, making new friends in a new school, and experiencing a sharp break in the relationship with her former best friend. (But if you like horses, there's plenty of horse stuff, too!) Recommended to anyone who enjoys reading kids' books with some emotional heft.
I love the way Kimberly Brubaker Bradley writes the emotion into a book, and this is a perfect example of her skill in that regard. What looks like a standard horse girl book is all about Harper dealing with her emotions about her parents' separation, making new friends in a new school, and experiencing a sharp break in the relationship with her former best friend. (But if you like horses, there's plenty of horse stuff, too!) Recommended to anyone who enjoys reading kids' books with some emotional heft.
December 5, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley for the arc.
Kimberly Brubaker Bradley’s books are auto-reads for me. In fact, this book is the whole reason I started using NetGalley: to hopefully read it early.
I will admit I am not a horse person and never have been. Horses are beautiful but like most big animals they scare me and the few times I’ve been around them I’ve made sure there was a fence between us. But I do love reading about them. You can tell from the author’s writing how much she loves and cares for horses and I’m sure this book will delight horse lovers of every age.
I liked how Harper’s struggles with her parents’ divorce, and the reason for it, were written. It felt very realistic to how a child would react, particularly when it was such a sudden event.
I have a fondness for books where animals help humans heal or humans and animals heal together. Harper’s insistence that Phoenix is a good horse who didn’t deserve to be thrown away echoed her own complicated feelings about her dad and what he had done and helped her believe that she didn’t deserve to be abandoned either. Harper’s longing to save Phoenix helps her find her own bravery within herself when she at first thought she wasn’t very brave at all.
I’ll be waiting eagerly for the next book in this series.
Kimberly Brubaker Bradley’s books are auto-reads for me. In fact, this book is the whole reason I started using NetGalley: to hopefully read it early.
I will admit I am not a horse person and never have been. Horses are beautiful but like most big animals they scare me and the few times I’ve been around them I’ve made sure there was a fence between us. But I do love reading about them. You can tell from the author’s writing how much she loves and cares for horses and I’m sure this book will delight horse lovers of every age.
I liked how Harper’s struggles with her parents’ divorce, and the reason for it, were written. It felt very realistic to how a child would react, particularly when it was such a sudden event.
I have a fondness for books where animals help humans heal or humans and animals heal together. Harper’s insistence that Phoenix is a good horse who didn’t deserve to be thrown away echoed her own complicated feelings about her dad and what he had done and helped her believe that she didn’t deserve to be abandoned either. Harper’s longing to save Phoenix helps her find her own bravery within herself when she at first thought she wasn’t very brave at all.
I’ll be waiting eagerly for the next book in this series.
March 7, 2026
11-year-old Harper and her mom have just moved from Knoxville to a more rural area of Tennessee after her parents' divorce. Harper is missing her best friend, Cat, but she is also angry with her because she feels that Cat knew that Harper's dad was having an affair with Cat's mom. At first, Harper has a hard time making friends at school. Her new home is next to a horse-boarding and riding barn, and a few of her classmates take lessons there. She watches them during their lessons, but doesn't have too much interest in horses. One day, an abused and dying horse is dropped off at the riding facility by men taking a load of horses to slaughter. Harper decides this is now her horse. She is determined to nurse him back to health and learn to ride him. Her new horse, Phoenix, helps foster friendships with her horse-riding classmates.
Horse-loving middle-grade readers will probably enjoy this book. It was just okay for me. I'm a HUGE fan of inclusivity, especially in children's books, but I think the author tried too hard in this one. There is a nonbinary character and several side characters of color, but it just felt like it was forced diversity rather than genuine inclusivity. There were a few grammatical annoyances that I hope are corrected in the final version as well
Horse-loving middle-grade readers will probably enjoy this book. It was just okay for me. I'm a HUGE fan of inclusivity, especially in children's books, but I think the author tried too hard in this one. There is a nonbinary character and several side characters of color, but it just felt like it was forced diversity rather than genuine inclusivity. There were a few grammatical annoyances that I hope are corrected in the final version as well
March 10, 2026
The publisher recommends this book for ages 10-14. At the beginning of this book, the main character, 11-year-old Harper, lives with her mom and dad. I was shocked when this book started out with Harper’s mom coming home from work early to find her husband cheating on her with the neighbor across the street. In addition to infidelity, the mature themes of abandonment, racism, non-binary gender, and animal abuse is a lot to emotionally unpack for young readers, in my opinion. Maybe if the author focused more on just one of these mature themes, kids and their grownups could have some great conversations about some of the tough stuff that goes on in this book, but I think young readers might have emotional whiplash at the end of this one.
I do think that older teens, especially horse-lovers, might like this one, but the writing style is definitely geared toward younger readers.
Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Penguin Young Readers and NetGalley for this gifted eARC.
I do think that older teens, especially horse-lovers, might like this one, but the writing style is definitely geared toward younger readers.
Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Penguin Young Readers and NetGalley for this gifted eARC.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Harper’s life turns upside down in an instant. Her mom comes home from work during the day to find her husband is involved with the woman across the street who is the mom of Cat, Harper’s best friend. Within just a few weeks, Harper’s folks are divorcing and she and her mom have moved into a small house next door to a riding stable two hours away. Harper likes watching the horses and the kids who come for riding lessons when she’s home by herself, resting up from starting a new school and waiting for her mom to come home from work. When a “kill truck” full of horses headed for slaughter stops by the stable and off-loads a horse that is near death, Harper’s life is transformed again as she is determined to nurse the horse, Phoenix, back to health and to learn to be a rider. Plenty to enjoy for horse lovers plus Bradley’s intriguing, well-drawn characters. The first book in what is sure to be a popular series. EARC from Edelweiss.
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