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The Night Ride
The Black Stallion meets Tamora Pierce in this adventure-filled middle grade novel about a young stable girl who discovers a secret that endangers her beloved horse and threatens her future.
Sonnia loves horses more than anything. She works at her family’s struggling pony ride business but dreams of the beautiful steeds in the royal stables, especially Ricochet, who she’s been slowly saving money to buy—even though she knows people from her impoverished neighborhood are rarely so lucky.
Then Ricochet is moved to the racetrack across town, and Sonnia lands a job there. Now, she can see Ricochet every day and earn enough money to buy him in no time—all while helping her family with her new wages! She even joins the junior racing cadre to train to become a jockey. But then she uncovers their secret competing in the Night Ride, a dangerous and highly illegal race in the darkest hours before dawn. Every race puts the horses at risk.
Sonnia wants to protect the horses she’s grown to care for, but she’s only a kid from the poor side of town—considered expendable, just like the horses. If she just keeps her head down, soon she can buy Ricochet and get him out of there—and keep supporting her family. But would she be able to live with herself?
Sonnia loves horses more than anything. She works at her family’s struggling pony ride business but dreams of the beautiful steeds in the royal stables, especially Ricochet, who she’s been slowly saving money to buy—even though she knows people from her impoverished neighborhood are rarely so lucky.
Then Ricochet is moved to the racetrack across town, and Sonnia lands a job there. Now, she can see Ricochet every day and earn enough money to buy him in no time—all while helping her family with her new wages! She even joins the junior racing cadre to train to become a jockey. But then she uncovers their secret competing in the Night Ride, a dangerous and highly illegal race in the darkest hours before dawn. Every race puts the horses at risk.
Sonnia wants to protect the horses she’s grown to care for, but she’s only a kid from the poor side of town—considered expendable, just like the horses. If she just keeps her head down, soon she can buy Ricochet and get him out of there—and keep supporting her family. But would she be able to live with herself?
224 pages, Hardcover
First published October 12, 2021
13 people are currently reading
221 people want to read
About the author
J. Anderson Coats
12 books202 followersJ. Anderson Coats has received five Junior Library Guild selections, two Washington State Book Awards, and earned starred reviews from Kirkus, School Library Journal, the Horn Book Review, and Shelf Awareness. Her newest book is The Loss of the Burying Ground, a YA action-adventure about two warring nations, one fragile peace treaty, a ruinous storm, and two girls who are just starting to realize who the enemy really is. Her next middle grade historical, The Unexpected Lives of Ordinary Girls, is forthcoming from Atheneum Books for Young Readers in 2025.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 21, 2022
It was an decent read as I was reading it but after finishing this a few days ago I almost completely forgot what this was about or what I've read. So it was an okay read but not very memorable for me
August 21, 2022
4 stars is not really enough for this excellent horse-centered MG novel, but I generally save 5 stars for books that leave me feeling changed in some way! Regardless of 4 stars or 5, readers who love horses and books set in the times of kings, apprenticeships and very clear castes will absolutely love the fast-paced racing action and the realistic portrayal of jockeys and the care & feeding of our four legged friends. Sonnia is from a family of five who work hard for every copper they earn and have little hope for much more than scraping by. Sonnia and Greta give pony rides to little girls from higher class households to help their family, and both yearn for something better. When Sonnia gets a job as a stable hand for the king’s horses, she believes that her favorite horse Richochet will soon be hers. But trouble is afoot, horses are at risk and Sonnia must make hard choices. J. Anderson Coats keeps this wonderful book free of profanity, violence and sexual content which means that libraries serving grades 4-6 can add it to their collections with no reservations. Thanks for sharing the ARC with #BookAllies, Simon & Schuster.
October 14, 2021
This was a cute story and as a horse owner myself, I will pick up any book where horses are central to the plot.
Sonnia loves horses. She works for her family's business doing pony rides, but dreams of working in the royal stables. She has been saving money to buy Ricochet, one of those prized horses. When Ricochet is moved to a racetrack, Sonnia starts working there so she can see her beloved horse. She joins the junior racing team and starts training to become a jockey. But the racetrack holds a dark and dangerous secret. The Night Ride, an illegal race in the dark. But every race puts lives in danger. Can Sonnia protect herself, her horse and save her family's business too?
Sonnia was a great character, torn between doing what is right and what could help her family. It was a moral dilemma she had to wrestle with and for middle grade readers who may face their own ethical dilemmas in life, watching a young girl have to chose to do the right thing is a good lesson for them to learn. It is a perfect book for all horse crazy kids. As an adult, I wished it was longer and more in depth, and this would make a great adaptation into a YA novel, but this is the perfect length for young readers, capturing and holding their attention. It did feel a little rushed at times and things always seemed to work out too easily, but that is the genre.
A simple and sweet tale perfect for kids. Three and a half stars.
Sonnia loves horses. She works for her family's business doing pony rides, but dreams of working in the royal stables. She has been saving money to buy Ricochet, one of those prized horses. When Ricochet is moved to a racetrack, Sonnia starts working there so she can see her beloved horse. She joins the junior racing team and starts training to become a jockey. But the racetrack holds a dark and dangerous secret. The Night Ride, an illegal race in the dark. But every race puts lives in danger. Can Sonnia protect herself, her horse and save her family's business too?
Sonnia was a great character, torn between doing what is right and what could help her family. It was a moral dilemma she had to wrestle with and for middle grade readers who may face their own ethical dilemmas in life, watching a young girl have to chose to do the right thing is a good lesson for them to learn. It is a perfect book for all horse crazy kids. As an adult, I wished it was longer and more in depth, and this would make a great adaptation into a YA novel, but this is the perfect length for young readers, capturing and holding their attention. It did feel a little rushed at times and things always seemed to work out too easily, but that is the genre.
A simple and sweet tale perfect for kids. Three and a half stars.
January 23, 2022
Readers might take a look at this book's cover and dismiss it as yet another novel about a young girl and her love for a horse and riding. And while the book does focus on Sonnia and her fondness for Ricochet, whom she dreams of buying and having for her very own, it is much more than that. Sonnia lives in Mael Dunn whose ruler loves horse-racing. When Ricochet is moved to the royal stables as a companion for a race horse, Sonnia manages to follow him and spend time with him. But she realizes that his life is in danger since the stable hands earn extra money and practice as jockeys by riding through the woods at night, and that there are wagers placed on the outcome of those races. When Sonnia and Ricochet are drawn into the competition, she becomes increasingly concerned about the fate of any horses injured during those secret races. Sonnia has little power or influence or even much of anyone on her side. All she has is the truth, but will the king believe her? Perfect for readers who like stories about underdogs, descriptions of horse training and racing and interesting world building. One of the details about Sonnia that is particularly telling is how she has no idea how much certain coins are worth and has miscalculated how much she will need to save in order to make Ricochet hers.
August 23, 2021
Sonnia loves horses, and she’s desperate to buy her favorite horse, Ricochet. With the coppers she makes running pony rides for her parents, though, it would take her forever to own him. When she lands a job as a stablehand at a royal racetrack, she thinks it’s finally her chance to buy him. Then, she learns about the Night Ride, where the stablehands race in the dead of night to earn far more than they make at their jobs. Sonnia knows it’s wrong - the horses could get hurt, and these horses belong to the king, who surely wouldn’t approve. But what if riding the race herself is the only way to keep Ricochet safe?
The Night Ride will definitely appeal to kids who enjoy “horse girl” stories. Sonnia has a strong personality, and the moral dilemma she faces is interesting. If she says anything about the race, all of her friends will be in trouble - and as a stablehand who knows about it, she will be, too. She and Ricochet are attached to each other, and she fears she’ll lose him if she refuses to race; she won’t have enough money to buy him, and she risks letting one of the less capable stablehands ride him instead. But she also wants to keep all of the horses safe, and she feels it’s only a matter of time before something goes wrong.
There were parts of this story that felt a little too neatly wrapped up. However, given the target age and audience, it doesn’t bother me too much. This book knows what genre it is and what kids are going to read it, and it delivers a story and ending they’ll be happy with. Some of the secondary characters could use a little more development - I found myself mixing up most of the stablehands as I read, and some who seemed like they would be bigger personalities or antagonistic figures ended up nearly disappearing from the story - but the focus is more on Sonnia and her development rather than that of the other characters.
Overall, a cute story that will appeal to the target audience. 3.5 stars, rounded up.
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the eARC.
The Night Ride will definitely appeal to kids who enjoy “horse girl” stories. Sonnia has a strong personality, and the moral dilemma she faces is interesting. If she says anything about the race, all of her friends will be in trouble - and as a stablehand who knows about it, she will be, too. She and Ricochet are attached to each other, and she fears she’ll lose him if she refuses to race; she won’t have enough money to buy him, and she risks letting one of the less capable stablehands ride him instead. But she also wants to keep all of the horses safe, and she feels it’s only a matter of time before something goes wrong.
There were parts of this story that felt a little too neatly wrapped up. However, given the target age and audience, it doesn’t bother me too much. This book knows what genre it is and what kids are going to read it, and it delivers a story and ending they’ll be happy with. Some of the secondary characters could use a little more development - I found myself mixing up most of the stablehands as I read, and some who seemed like they would be bigger personalities or antagonistic figures ended up nearly disappearing from the story - but the focus is more on Sonnia and her development rather than that of the other characters.
Overall, a cute story that will appeal to the target audience. 3.5 stars, rounded up.
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the eARC.
November 17, 2025
If you love horses and a girl trying to do what’s right even though it might harm her then this is the book for you
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2022
This book is for horse lovers and deals with cruel treatment of horses on a fictional racing circuit.
Sonnia dreams of buying her own horse one day, a gorgeous horse in the King's stables named Ricochet who has captured her heart. But while she helps out in his stable, and the stablemaster tolerates her presence, she doesn't get paid much for the work she does, and she must run her parents' pony rides during the day to bring in the family's rent.
Then Ricochet gets chosen to accompany a high-spirited racing horse, and he's taken out of the fleet stables where she's been allowed to visit him. To follow him to the racing stables, she makes her own opportunity to care for him, asking the only woman jockey -- who also coincidentally used to be her babysitter -- if she can be hired to take care of him. She is, and the promised money's good enough she thinks she can quit running the pony rides and put some aside to save to eventually buy Ricochet.
But while she's there, she learns of a dangerous practice -- a Night Ride, where the stable hands ride the horses at night through a wooded area. The rides are bet upon by the upper classes. It's really dangerous to the horses and the riders, who aren't properly trained jockeys or trained in jumping horses, and at first she refuses to participate.
But when her pay comes up short (minus her rent and food and uniform, of course) and her family is facing being evicted for lack of rent, she's backed into a corner. At the same time, the apparent head of the races announces Ricochet is up for riders to choose to ride in the next Night Ride. Sonnia relents and rides Ricochet.
It's a win all around -- they win the race, she gets a cut of the bettors' winnings, and she keeps Ricochet safe.
Except now all the other riders want to ride him and win, too. So she has to continue doing the Night Ride.
I won't spoil how it ends, or how she saves Ricochet and does the right thing in the end. Enjoy this trilling ride of a read!
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
Sonnia dreams of buying her own horse one day, a gorgeous horse in the King's stables named Ricochet who has captured her heart. But while she helps out in his stable, and the stablemaster tolerates her presence, she doesn't get paid much for the work she does, and she must run her parents' pony rides during the day to bring in the family's rent.
Then Ricochet gets chosen to accompany a high-spirited racing horse, and he's taken out of the fleet stables where she's been allowed to visit him. To follow him to the racing stables, she makes her own opportunity to care for him, asking the only woman jockey -- who also coincidentally used to be her babysitter -- if she can be hired to take care of him. She is, and the promised money's good enough she thinks she can quit running the pony rides and put some aside to save to eventually buy Ricochet.
But while she's there, she learns of a dangerous practice -- a Night Ride, where the stable hands ride the horses at night through a wooded area. The rides are bet upon by the upper classes. It's really dangerous to the horses and the riders, who aren't properly trained jockeys or trained in jumping horses, and at first she refuses to participate.
But when her pay comes up short (minus her rent and food and uniform, of course) and her family is facing being evicted for lack of rent, she's backed into a corner. At the same time, the apparent head of the races announces Ricochet is up for riders to choose to ride in the next Night Ride. Sonnia relents and rides Ricochet.
It's a win all around -- they win the race, she gets a cut of the bettors' winnings, and she keeps Ricochet safe.
Except now all the other riders want to ride him and win, too. So she has to continue doing the Night Ride.
I won't spoil how it ends, or how she saves Ricochet and does the right thing in the end. Enjoy this trilling ride of a read!
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
May 11, 2021
J. Anderson Coats is a really great writer -- her storytelling just flows onto the page. This is a great book for fantasy-focused young readers who have the deep love of horses in their hearts. Even if they don't, it has a fast-paced adventure in an interesting world.
The only criticisms I have -- the world is a bit simplistic -- there's inside the city kingdom, where the horse-mad live, and there's the greenwood full of bandits. While that does get fleshed out and explored to a degree, it very much feels like a kids point of view, where the larger contexts of the rest of the world aren't relevant or visible -- it works for this story, but only if you don't push too hard on the walls. Sonnia is almost painfully naive in parts, but I think that works really well for the story also. Finally, it left me with a burning question: why are the horses in this kingdom so much more important than the people? I don't think that depiction is unrealistic at all, but I love that Coats leaves us to answer that troubling question ourselves.
Really enjoyed it!
Advanced readers copy provided by Edelweiss.
The only criticisms I have -- the world is a bit simplistic -- there's inside the city kingdom, where the horse-mad live, and there's the greenwood full of bandits. While that does get fleshed out and explored to a degree, it very much feels like a kids point of view, where the larger contexts of the rest of the world aren't relevant or visible -- it works for this story, but only if you don't push too hard on the walls. Sonnia is almost painfully naive in parts, but I think that works really well for the story also. Finally, it left me with a burning question: why are the horses in this kingdom so much more important than the people? I don't think that depiction is unrealistic at all, but I love that Coats leaves us to answer that troubling question ourselves.
Really enjoyed it!
Advanced readers copy provided by Edelweiss.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2021
Thank you to the author and publisher for sharing an early copy with #bookexpedition.
This middle grade story centers around Sonnia, a young stable girl who loves horses more than anything. She works at her family’s struggling pony ride business, but she dreams of one day owning one of the beautiful horses in the royal stables. She’s been slowly saving money to buy Ricochet, but finds the horse is being moved to a racetrack across town.
Determined to fulfill her dream, Sonnia lands a job at the racetrack and helps take care of Ricochet and the other horses. One night, she uncovers a secret: riders are competing in a secret race called the Night Ride during the darkest hours, putting the horses in danger.
Sonnia is torn trying to figure out what to do. Exposing the Night Ride puts her future and owning Ricochet in danger. But not telling anyone about it risks the safety of the horses.
Publishing in October 2021, this fast-paced adventure story with themes of family, friendship, and being true to yourself will grab readers with a deep love of horses.
This middle grade story centers around Sonnia, a young stable girl who loves horses more than anything. She works at her family’s struggling pony ride business, but she dreams of one day owning one of the beautiful horses in the royal stables. She’s been slowly saving money to buy Ricochet, but finds the horse is being moved to a racetrack across town.
Determined to fulfill her dream, Sonnia lands a job at the racetrack and helps take care of Ricochet and the other horses. One night, she uncovers a secret: riders are competing in a secret race called the Night Ride during the darkest hours, putting the horses in danger.
Sonnia is torn trying to figure out what to do. Exposing the Night Ride puts her future and owning Ricochet in danger. But not telling anyone about it risks the safety of the horses.
Publishing in October 2021, this fast-paced adventure story with themes of family, friendship, and being true to yourself will grab readers with a deep love of horses.
May 26, 2023
The premise was good, the protagonist interesting, with a world and society that any astute reader will find themselves contemplating
Major problem is the monarchy? Definitely the root of the problems. It never is questioned too much, and while the character is aware of the inequity, it only extends to her friends and family. Real problem with your system of society is that horses are treated better than people and that is kind of yikes. I don’t think that it is entirely uncritical, but nothing really changes except there is no minimum to wager on horse races by the end, and there will be a royal riding academy. So I guess if you are a horse person, you might be able to be in the upper lower class instead of basically being a serf. Yay?
I think horse lovers will love and maybe won’t think too hard on this horse loving monarchy but others are going to wonder why the king is not the bad guy. An average for me, had enough to make the whole horse thing not a deal breaker.
Major problem is the monarchy? Definitely the root of the problems. It never is questioned too much, and while the character is aware of the inequity, it only extends to her friends and family. Real problem with your system of society is that horses are treated better than people and that is kind of yikes. I don’t think that it is entirely uncritical, but nothing really changes except there is no minimum to wager on horse races by the end, and there will be a royal riding academy. So I guess if you are a horse person, you might be able to be in the upper lower class instead of basically being a serf. Yay?
I think horse lovers will love and maybe won’t think too hard on this horse loving monarchy but others are going to wonder why the king is not the bad guy. An average for me, had enough to make the whole horse thing not a deal breaker.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2022
Sonnia loves horses more than anything. Her family has no money and struggle to make the rent, eat, provide schooling with their pony ride business. The horse Sonnia cares for at a nearby stable is sent off to ride next to the king’s horse and Sonnia ends up following the horse and being taken on, ostensibly, as a stable hand in the royal stables. The plot thickens as she joins an illegal secret night race where real money is made and kids just like her are exploited into riding, at risk of life and limb to themselves and their mounts. Sonnia has to make an impossible choice.
All that and more! I was pleasantly surprised and can think of quite a few questions involving Sonnia’s decisions that I’m pretty sure would make for LIVELY debate amongst my students. (Also: perfect for any of your horse-mad elementary kids).
All that and more! I was pleasantly surprised and can think of quite a few questions involving Sonnia’s decisions that I’m pretty sure would make for LIVELY debate amongst my students. (Also: perfect for any of your horse-mad elementary kids).
November 1, 2023
A young impoverished girl is given the chance to go ride horses at a racetrack. But then we find out someone is running the horses at night (illegally) which is very dangerous (one horse even gets hurt, is sent to the butcher, but don't worry he gets saved last minute). The young girl really wants to tell someone... but who? And, how will she not get in trouble? At first she thinks she'll ride in these races to make money because she wants to buy a horse named Ricochet but eventually, no, she needs to tell someone. But will she be hung as a horse thief in the process?
I mean, it kind of had its moments but was also disheartening and had a 'perfect' ending. It just all... It was for kids. It was definitely for kids.
I mean, it kind of had its moments but was also disheartening and had a 'perfect' ending. It just all... It was for kids. It was definitely for kids.
August 25, 2023
The Night Ride is a surprisingly fantastic read. I did not expect to love this book. The cover makes it look like a childish book for girls who love horses. The book is about horses from start to finish, but it is so much more than that. I don’t have an special love for horses and this book had me from beginning to end. The inner battle that Sonnia goes through to continually choose what is right in the face of grear adversity and temptation, is so inspiring and relatable. Wonderful book. I do not give 5 stars often.
October 19, 2023
Another one on my Mark Twain journey!
This was a cute story of morals and integrity, though I found the setting to be a little too unbelievable. This entire kingdom is horse-crazy, even the king, which is just a bit boggling. The discussions of class were half-baked, and I don't think this would be very relatable to kids. As a non horse girl, it was something I would not have enjoyed reading as a kid. For the kids who care deeply about horses, this would be a great read.
This was a cute story of morals and integrity, though I found the setting to be a little too unbelievable. This entire kingdom is horse-crazy, even the king, which is just a bit boggling. The discussions of class were half-baked, and I don't think this would be very relatable to kids. As a non horse girl, it was something I would not have enjoyed reading as a kid. For the kids who care deeply about horses, this would be a great read.
December 19, 2023
You’ve got to really be interested in horses to like this one… and I am not. I am, however, interested in stories that challenge traditional gender roles with feisty characters willing to fight for what they know is right. This book wasn’t a good fit for me, but I actually think many of my students will enjoy reading it to learn and dream about racing horses! It’s full of adventure and mystery, and the story moves at a good pace.
October 10, 2022
Doing the right thing is not always easy. Facing that fact and what being honest and forthright helps a young horse lover make the right decision in the end. Friendships are what you make them.
Great book for the girl who loves horses, not just fashion and such. Action, adventure, friends, horses!!!
Great book for the girl who loves horses, not just fashion and such. Action, adventure, friends, horses!!!
February 8, 2024
It started out slow, but I became interested in the story by the end. Overall a good book for kids—especially ones who like horses. I read it out loud to my son and he had mostly the same opinion (didn’t like it at first but was really enjoying it by the end).
(I’m reading all the Mark Twain and Truman nominees this year)
(I’m reading all the Mark Twain and Truman nominees this year)
November 4, 2021
This story is just what my horse-loving heart needed. I held my breath every time Sonnia had to make a difficult decision, struggling between her desires and what she knew was the right thing to do. Great character for young teen girls, especially those who hearts yearn for their own horse.
June 18, 2022
JUST PLAIN AWESOME! You can tell the author knows and loves horses, and takes you along on a wild ride through the days and nights of a girl who dreams big. HIGHLY RECOMMEND for everyone; especially for those who appreciate an underdog story and, of course, the wonderfulness of horses.
May 1, 2023
This book is okay. It takes an awful long time to get to what the night ride is. After that the story moves fairly fast - almost too fast at some points. It’s a cute story. I’d recommend it for 5th/6th graders or mature 3rd/4th grade readers.
November 7, 2023
A Surprising Read
I really didn’t know what to expect from this book but the further along I got, the harder it was to put down. For a girl to care so much for a horse and the safety and well-being of all horses and to do the right thing no matter the cost was amazing.
I really didn’t know what to expect from this book but the further along I got, the harder it was to put down. For a girl to care so much for a horse and the safety and well-being of all horses and to do the right thing no matter the cost was amazing.
April 12, 2022
I loved this book!
April 28, 2022
Very good story about the importance of honesty.
May 4, 2022
A nice 2023 Children's Sequoyah read.
July 11, 2022
Good middle reader novel. We enjoyed this as a family read aloud.
February 1, 2023
This book was so good!!! I totally recommend for people who love horse!!
February 15, 2023
This was OK. Good story. Characters and world felt underdeveloped, and it just sort of ended. I would have liked to have known what happened with her friends.
July 18, 2023
Great book for kids who like horses. Interesting and a quick read.
July 23, 2023
Pros: a story about a girl who loves horses
Cons: horse/riding vocabulary, gambling vocab
Cons: horse/riding vocabulary, gambling vocab
August 13, 2023
I liked the story; it was different. I also liked the time it was set in. That was also a nice change. The protagonist had lots of character and also grew as the story went on.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews