Golden Sun

Horse Diaries #5

by Whitney Sanderson, Whitney Sanderson

For anyone who has ever dreamed of hearing a horse’s story...

Oregon, 1790
Golden Sun is a chestnut snowflake Appaloosa. In summer, he treks through the mountains with his rider, a Nez Perce boy named Little Turtle, as he gathers healing plants. But when Little Turtle’s best friend falls ill, Golden Sun discovers his true calling. Here is Golden Sun’s story...in his own words.

With moving and knowledgeable text and lovely black and white art throughout—by a mother-daughter team of horse experts—this is the perfect fit for all lovers of horses and history!

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

160 pages, Paperback

First published August 10, 2010

About the author

Whitney Sanderson grew up riding horses as a member of a 4-H club and competing in local jumping and dressage shows. She has written several books in the Horse Diaries chapter book series. She is also the author of Horse Rescue: Treasure, based on her time volunteering at an equine rescue farm. She lives in Massachusetts.

(source: Amazon)

Reviews

[Emory Ivie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful series that I well-enjoyed during my younger years, and when I was about seven years old it was my ultimate favorite. We all loved the story of Black Beauty, and this series has the same idea - a horse telling its own story during the historical time it lives. There are so many books to read in this series, and though they don't need to be read in order, as each novel presents new characters with new conflicts, but they take place in the order of the historical time. It's really cool for a young kid to be able to read the thoughts of a horse through a fictional book and learn more about the breed it highlights and the history centered around the breed's origin.

These books are absolutely wonderful and very informative. After the entertaining story, there is a little section in the back that teaches about the breed and its uses during a specific time period. They are clean, entertaining, and such a great read for any 7 to 10-year-old child. If you love horses and history, be sure to check out Horse Diaries!

[JenBsBooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was shopping a library sale and picked up several of these HorseDiaries books (for my Little Free Library). During my "MiddleGrade May" I figured I'd give a couple a read myself. They all seem to have high ratings ... and my 3* is perhaps a little more of an adult reflection. I think I would have liked these a lot in my younger years, and I would give them a thumbs up to any young reader. Very easy, anthropomorphized ... as the series title suggests, these are basically the horses thoughts, although not written in diary format (just a telling of their life). There are 16+ books in the series, all stand-alones, set in various times/places. So readers are learning about history, as well as horses. They don't need to be read in order. Several authors/illustrators.

I really hope children(and any adults reading) would continue to read the appendix after the story ends. Here, there are the author's notes, more about the history, and horse breed, given factually, giving the background on the fictional story. Good info!

No audio at the library (it was available from Audible), but I was able to borrow a Kindle copy in addition to the physical books I picked up.

This book was my second read (even though it was earlier chronologically, I read #7 first). Oregon 1790. Appaloosa horse breed (Golden Sun is a boy, there is a girl horse that also gets quite a bit of story time). Native American Nez Perce (not sure I'd heard of these people before?) for the human interaction with the horses.

These do feel "young" (as an adult reading) ... the human MC is 10/11 (I tend to view that as the aimed for audience).

[Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is my favorite book in the series. I love Native Americans and their ways. Well most of the anyway. I wish that they would have written a little bit more about the beginning of Golden Sun's life and more on his training and how Little Turtle gained his trust. I was expecting Dancing Feather to be more harsh around others and only obey Pale Moon and Little Turtle. I also thought that Little Turtle would marry Pale Moon in the ending. It was the most interesting when Little Turtle went in to the mountains and came back as a healer. I wish that Dancing Feather and Golden Sun would have a foal.

[Gerri Leen · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are such lovely books. I found this story especially sweet--even got me all teary-eyed in spots. Well written, beautifully illustrated, horses with the POV. What more could you want? Can't wait to read the next one #7 Risky Chance -- #5 is actually the second one I've read because doing this in order is apparently a bridge too far for me and each one is separate so it doesn't matter--but I'll probably get to them all eventually. #7 is the one I was supposed to read as a comp title for a project I'm working on; I'm reading the rest for pure pleasure because they are such a treat.

[DEBORRAH J SCOTT · Rating 5 out of 5]

A BEAUTIFUL Golden Horse 🐎

I picked this rating because this was such a great book to read. It made you want to keep on reading it and not want to put it down. It had HAPPY parts and sad parts in this book which made this book good. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves horses, it will make you want one. I know I sure do!!

[Stephen Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

It was the best book. My daughter is a good reader, and she loves horses' perfect book ever when i look at my daughter, she ether is reading or playing with her brother.BEST BOOK EVER

[Kaitlyn Accardo · Rating 4 out of 5]

With deft writing, this book brought grace and truth to the experiences of horses and humans. My reading of it left nothing to be desired. This is an elegantly crafted, whimsical yet grounded story, perfect for middle grade readers.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter has been reading this series and has loved them, so I have been reading them after she is done. This one was a really good book in the series. I loved the two main horses and the storyline. I highly recommend this one.

[McKeltie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this was a super good book I keep almost reading it in class I really like it and recommend it to all horse lovers!

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorites of the Horse Diaries so far. A beautiful story, and a much better writing with this author than the last couple in this series.

[Lucy Logsdon]

I love it so far

[Brian& Cassie West · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good for newly reader or to make readers more Confident about reading!!

[Noelani · Rating 4 out of 5]

11 year old gives 4 stars.

[Lily Scarlet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is by far my favorite Horse Diaries. I have read it many times. I love Appaloosas so darn much, and I couldn’t resist a flaxen chestnut snowcap! The illustrations are to die for. It made me want to be an Indian myself!

[Kami · Rating 4 out of 5]

- I use the words cute and heartwarming for each of these books, but I don't think I can say it enough. Cute and heartwarming are the perfect words for the stories!

- I love the relationship between Golden Sun and Little Turtle. I love that they didn't need words to communicate. They just knew what the other one was thinking and feeling. I love that we can have that kind of deep relationship with animals.

- I really enjoyed the story and the characters, and Gnome loved it just as much.

[Delilah Davey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much because I love Native American culture .

[Megana]

Golden Sun was a very heart warming book. I loved the connections that the riders had with their horses. It is a connection that I would like to have with my horse one day.

Golden Sun, a young appoloosa, is selected to be Little Turtles trusted steed. He accompanies him on gathering herbal medicines for the village healer, and many other expeditions. But, when Little Turtle's best friend falls ill; it is up to Little Turtle, Golden Sun, and Little Turtle's waiken to save her.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves horses.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book was an okay book because at the beginning it wasn't very interesting, but when it got more towards the middle part. It was mainly interesting in the middle because little turtle was gonna go into the cold mountains for a couple of days. Then a couple of days later he comes back with a cure for Pale Moon. He found Pale Moon's cure with golden sun. Golden sun was the horse that he took with him.This is why I think the book is okay.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Golden Sun is the story of an Appaloosa who lives with the Nez Pierce Indians. A story of friendship between both people and horses, this book is a story of connection through difficult circumstances. Golden Sun helps a horse who is trying to overcome previous abuse and mistreatment to become an accepted member of the tribe. His rider, Little Turtle, also has to face difficulty when his best friend falls ill. It's another decent addition to the series.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

An average read, showing the tale of an outstanding, well bonded friendship.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very good story with a lot of action. I look forward to the next one, currently waiting at the library for me.

[Hillvan]

930L

[Cora Kertzman · Rating 4 out of 5]

really enjoyed this book and its plot but it ended kind of suddenly.

[Brodie Hawkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was not too bad

[Rebecca C. Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun.

Wish it was longer. But loved learning about Indians. Suspense was good too. I suggest this to 9-14 year olds.

[mehr tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

I loved it so much it was a great book for my long car ride! I would recommend this for everyone

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was Abbie’s favorite of the Horse Diaries series so far.

[Maykala · Rating 5 out of 5]

love

[Elizabeth Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun easy read for middle grade, horse lovers.