Luna

Horse Diaries #12

by Catherine Hapka, Ruth Sanderson (Illustrator)

For all lovers of horses and history, the beloved Horse Diaries series is heading to the circus!
 
A beautiful Friesian horse and the younger sister of a circus star develop a heartwarming friendship in this sweet and lively story told straight from the horse’s mouth.
 
The Netherlands, 1855
Luna is a black Friesian mare with one small white crescent- moon marking on her forehead. She lives a quiet life on a farm . . . until the circus comes to town! Luna bonds with a girl named May, who dreams of starring in the show, just like her older sister. And together, Luna and May just might be able to shine. Here is Luna’s story . . . in her own words.

Genres: Horses, Middle Grade, Fiction, Childrens, Historical, Animals, Young Adult

160 pages, Paperback

First published August 4, 2015

About the author

Catherine (Cathy) Hapka has written more than one hundred books for children and adults, as a ghostwriter for series as well as original titles, including the Romantic Comedies Something Borrowed, The Twelve Date of Christmas, and Love on Cue. She lives in Pennsylvania.

Reviews

[tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

i really liked the idea of the life of a circus horse in this book and the jealousy/wanting to be a star. May bonds with Luna in this book and they work together to overcome people's skepticism of them becoming part of the circus. Luna is also so pretty <3

[Julia Hollon · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was a child, Horse Diaries was my favorite series for years. Like many little girls, I adored the ideas of horses, and this series allowed me to feel like I had some kind of connection to their lives throughout history.

This is the first book I have read from the series in about twelve years. I am definitely older than I was when I first loved this series, but Luna brought back the wonder and love I felt as a child reading these books. Thank you for bringing me back to my childhood for an afternoon ❤️ I can’t wait to go ahead and read the rest of the series now.

[Chloe Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!!

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a really good book. If you like horses you will like this book.

[Gerri Leen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another charmer, especially interesting for me because my father was Frisian. Hapka is far and away my favorite writer in this series.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

See the first book in the series for a full review.

[AetherDragons · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book wasn’t as great as some of them but the little girl May I personally related to the most! Luna is a sweet portrayal of the circus life in the Netherlands, great fun book!!!!

[Shadoe Hare · Rating 3 out of 5]

Defiantly for tweens, but not a bad story line and the illustrations were good. I wouldn't mind reading the rest of the series.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet little book about a horse and the small, crippled girl who loved her.

Perfect fit for your reader who loves horses!

[Lily Scarlet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Luna has an interesting story and it’s very fun to read about. What a beautiful Friesian!

[Jtimko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Luna is a Friesian mare living on a farm in the Netherlands in 1855. Everything is quiet until the circus comes to town and May, a dis-abled member of the circus troupe, meet and form a bond with Luna. Together they learn to perform a horseback routine and become real member of the circus troupe.
This is the twelfth story in the Horse Diaries series. Told from the horse’s point of view, the reader will discover just what it takes to bond with a human. There is plenty of emotion in the story along with the suspense of a robbery and fire. The small format of the book will not intimidate the young reader. The black and white illustrations add interest to the story. Readers of horse stories will enjoy this installment of the Horse Diaries series. Recommended for grades 2 through 5.

[Deloomey · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was short. I thought it could have been ever so slightly longer! A big Friesian mare is adopted and loved by a young girl, who is staying at the farm where she lives because the girl is in the circus, which is at the farm. Then Luna and the girl work together in a crisis and learn friendship.
It was okay. Short and simple, I suppose.

[Sofie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked Luna. Granted, the Horse Diaries books are all good, in my opinion, but Luna is better than a few

[Keely · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a light, easy, 30 min read, this was great. I like how this is form the horse's point of view. Easy and light for anyone who wants a feel good story.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like how May shows everyone she can do anything.

[SFrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally at the very end, May gets her wish. Its seemed most of the way through, that was not going to happen.