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Horses of Oak Valley Ranch #2
A Good Horse
When eighth grader Abby Lovitt looks out at those pure-gold rolling hills, she knows there's no place she'd rather be than her family's ranch--even with all the hard work of tending to nine horses. But some chores are no work at all, like grooming young Jack. At eight months, his rough foal coat has shed out, leaving a smooth, rich silk, like chocolate. As for Black George, such a good horse, it turns out he's a natural jumper. When he and Abby clear four feet easy as pie, heads start to turn at the ring--"buyers'" heads--and Abby knows Daddy won't turn down a good offer. Then a letter arrives from a private investigator, and suddenly Abby stands to lose not one horse but two. The letter states that Jack's mare may have been sold to the Lovitts as stolen goods. A mystery unfolds, more surprising than Abby could ever expect. Will she lose her beloved Jack to his rightful owners? Pulitzer Prize winner Jane Smiley raises horses of her own, and her affection and expertise shine through in this inviting horse novel for young readers, set in 1960s California horse country and featuring characters from "The Georges and the Jewels."
256 pages, Hardcover
First published October 26, 2010
62 people are currently reading
614 people want to read
About the author
Jane Smiley
132 books2,707 followersJane Smiley is a Pulitzer Prize-winning American novelist.
Born in Los Angeles, California, Smiley grew up in Webster Groves, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis, and graduated from John Burroughs School. She obtained a A.B. at Vassar College, then earned a M.F.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Iowa. While working towards her doctorate, she also spent a year studying in Iceland as a Fulbright Scholar. From 1981 to 1996, she taught at Iowa State University. Smiley published her first novel, Barn Blind, in 1980, and won a 1985 O. Henry Award for her short story "Lily", which was published in The Atlantic Monthly. Her best-selling A Thousand Acres, a story based on William Shakespeare's King Lear, received the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1992. It was adapted into a film of the same title in 1997. In 1995 she wrote her sole television script produced, for an episode of Homicide: Life on the Street. Her novella The Age of Grief was made into the 2002 film The Secret Lives of Dentists.
Thirteen Ways of Looking at the Novel (2005), is a non-fiction meditation on the history and the nature of the novel, somewhat in the tradition of E. M. Forster's seminal Aspects of the Novel, that roams from eleventh century Japan's Murasaki Shikibu's The Tale of Genji to twenty-first century Americans chick lit.
In 2001, Smiley was elected a member of The American Academy of Arts and Letters.
Born in Los Angeles, California, Smiley grew up in Webster Groves, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis, and graduated from John Burroughs School. She obtained a A.B. at Vassar College, then earned a M.F.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Iowa. While working towards her doctorate, she also spent a year studying in Iceland as a Fulbright Scholar. From 1981 to 1996, she taught at Iowa State University. Smiley published her first novel, Barn Blind, in 1980, and won a 1985 O. Henry Award for her short story "Lily", which was published in The Atlantic Monthly. Her best-selling A Thousand Acres, a story based on William Shakespeare's King Lear, received the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1992. It was adapted into a film of the same title in 1997. In 1995 she wrote her sole television script produced, for an episode of Homicide: Life on the Street. Her novella The Age of Grief was made into the 2002 film The Secret Lives of Dentists.
Thirteen Ways of Looking at the Novel (2005), is a non-fiction meditation on the history and the nature of the novel, somewhat in the tradition of E. M. Forster's seminal Aspects of the Novel, that roams from eleventh century Japan's Murasaki Shikibu's The Tale of Genji to twenty-first century Americans chick lit.
In 2001, Smiley was elected a member of The American Academy of Arts and Letters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
October 16, 2020
Like many horse or pony books, this contains good and less ideal examples. However, the author does not tell us this is set in the 1960s, so new readers, or those who forgot or didn't absorb this fact from the previous book, may find some details not as we now know them and some contra-indicated practices.
My main suggestion for improvement would be to put a date in the story early. Two opportunities in the first chapters would be Abby's birthday and when a letter arrives which keeps talking about November 12 and October 1 'last year'. Why would a private detective not give the full date, to avoid any possible confusion? Television is mentioned with a show about the FBI, but I don't know what was on tv when in America, and nor will most young readers. If the tale mentioned who was President (someone is asked that later, but we don't hear the answer) this would be another way to provide the required interpretive detail.
So, horses. Abby, a horse dealer's daughter, faces the frequent sadness of her favourite horses being sold in order to pay the bills. In this story, not only are the usual workaday mounts for sale, but a talented jumper which gives Abby her first taste of top-class horse shows (at 13, without posh boots), is of course expected to bring a good price. What about a foal Abby is handling, which she doesn't expect will be sold for years? A private detective seems to think he doesn't belong to her family. Also we find a farm dog arriving, and you would think a good dog would be welcome, but Abby's dad doesn't want the expense of more animals. Even when this one proves it can herd cattle.
I was pleased Abby got to see another side of life with girls from school. Her restrictive, religious family seem to remove a lot of the joy from her youth, she doesn't get to play, hear pop music or read because there is always another horse to train; she can't risk investing too much love in the horses for sale. Some readers have commented that Abby doesn't seem to care strongly for the horses, just does as she is told. I would suggest the author has based this on the experience of children of alcoholic or domineering parents, but if kids don't know this, I'm fine with that being the case.
I preferred the first book but both are well written. This one has more contrast. This is an unbiased review.
My main suggestion for improvement would be to put a date in the story early. Two opportunities in the first chapters would be Abby's birthday and when a letter arrives which keeps talking about November 12 and October 1 'last year'. Why would a private detective not give the full date, to avoid any possible confusion? Television is mentioned with a show about the FBI, but I don't know what was on tv when in America, and nor will most young readers. If the tale mentioned who was President (someone is asked that later, but we don't hear the answer) this would be another way to provide the required interpretive detail.
So, horses. Abby, a horse dealer's daughter, faces the frequent sadness of her favourite horses being sold in order to pay the bills. In this story, not only are the usual workaday mounts for sale, but a talented jumper which gives Abby her first taste of top-class horse shows (at 13, without posh boots), is of course expected to bring a good price. What about a foal Abby is handling, which she doesn't expect will be sold for years? A private detective seems to think he doesn't belong to her family. Also we find a farm dog arriving, and you would think a good dog would be welcome, but Abby's dad doesn't want the expense of more animals. Even when this one proves it can herd cattle.
I was pleased Abby got to see another side of life with girls from school. Her restrictive, religious family seem to remove a lot of the joy from her youth, she doesn't get to play, hear pop music or read because there is always another horse to train; she can't risk investing too much love in the horses for sale. Some readers have commented that Abby doesn't seem to care strongly for the horses, just does as she is told. I would suggest the author has based this on the experience of children of alcoholic or domineering parents, but if kids don't know this, I'm fine with that being the case.
I preferred the first book but both are well written. This one has more contrast. This is an unbiased review.
Read
December 31, 2017I really enjoyed reading this book. I previously read The Georges and the Jewels, which is the first book in this series. I loved how the author depicts the horses. She makes them realistic. Many other authors will make horse either good or bad. Horses aren't like that. They have good days and bad days just like people do. I also love how she sets the book back around the 1950s-1960s. I haven't learned much about this time period and reading this book was a good start. I will definitely be finishing the series.
January 28, 2025
Every bit as good as book #1. I love the depth of Abby’s character and her family context. Jane Smiley is so good at nonjudgmentally capturing the life of a very conservative ranch family through the eyes of a child.
January 13, 2023
I was super sad about Black George. I would have kept him in a heartbeat.
And it was obvious that the first guy was a phony - he gave the wrong number for the stolen mares. Duh!
And it was obvious that the first guy was a phony - he gave the wrong number for the stolen mares. Duh!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2019
Wow! Ms. Smiley really knows her horses!
I am an author and I always write about horses I was bowled over when I read Old Stewball...in this marvellous book. l I used to sing this each time I rode.my great black stallion, retired rscehorse, Clare Grafton.
I sang it as I read.
Love this book,
I am an author and I always write about horses I was bowled over when I read Old Stewball...in this marvellous book. l I used to sing this each time I rode.my great black stallion, retired rscehorse, Clare Grafton.
I sang it as I read.
Love this book,
January 28, 2017
October book report
A good horse
Jane Smiley
The book A good horse is about a young girl named Abby Lovitt, and she is about to start the eighth grade. Abby lives with her very strict parents on their 26 acre horse ranch in California. The Lovitt families business consists of buying horses at low prices, getting them healthy and in beautiful condition, training them to jump and race, and then selling them for money. Abby knows that she shouldn’t get infatuated or too close with the horses because sooner or later they will be sold for a profit. That was until Abby couldn't help herself with a very special horse that she came encounter with, the horse is know as Black George. Black George is beautiful and a gifted jumper. He hurdles over jumps with ease and enthusiasm, and Black George loves doing it also. Abby’s father decides to enter his daughter and Black George in a extremely classy horse show. With more high end jumpers, That's when Abby and Black George discover some real competition. Abby's father comes into contact with a wealthy horse buyer and is willing to pay top dollar for Black George. Abby loves riding him and will be sad to see him sold, but she understands. Abbys parents told her to think of it as she knows that training him to his full potential will make him even better. Abby’s most favorite horse at the ranch is little Jack, the little orphan. His mom, Brown Jewel, died from colic not long after giving birth to Jack. Since then, Abby has taken over the duty of caring and the training of Jack. A little after that a letter arrives from a private investigator who is working for a rich Texas rancher. A while back, someone had stolen a few of the rancher’s prize horses, and the investigator suspects that the Lovitts had purchased one of the stolen horses. If Brown Jewel is proven to be the stolen mare, the owners are going to want to take her bestfriend back to Texas.
The theme of the book that stands out to me most would be to try your hardest at anything you do in life. Abby is a determined and hardworking girl with compassion and a big heart. Abby had to face some huge obstacles throughout the story, including a crippling fear. A crippling Fear is something that most riders come encounter with at some point of getting hurt on or off your horse. Abby knew that if she wanted to continue to ride that she would have to get over her fear of getting hurt and she eventually did. Abby is a very brave and compassionate girl who had many troubles come her way and also had many fearful times, but that didn't make her stop loving and caring for all of the horses who were once hurt or who were most likely going to be sold. Abby made the story not just about the amount of horses being sold or found, she made the story about her love towards the horses. although Abby wasn't allowed the get to emotionally close to the horses, she still had a very special bond with the horses that nobody else at the ranch could even compare to.
A good horse
Jane Smiley
The book A good horse is about a young girl named Abby Lovitt, and she is about to start the eighth grade. Abby lives with her very strict parents on their 26 acre horse ranch in California. The Lovitt families business consists of buying horses at low prices, getting them healthy and in beautiful condition, training them to jump and race, and then selling them for money. Abby knows that she shouldn’t get infatuated or too close with the horses because sooner or later they will be sold for a profit. That was until Abby couldn't help herself with a very special horse that she came encounter with, the horse is know as Black George. Black George is beautiful and a gifted jumper. He hurdles over jumps with ease and enthusiasm, and Black George loves doing it also. Abby’s father decides to enter his daughter and Black George in a extremely classy horse show. With more high end jumpers, That's when Abby and Black George discover some real competition. Abby's father comes into contact with a wealthy horse buyer and is willing to pay top dollar for Black George. Abby loves riding him and will be sad to see him sold, but she understands. Abbys parents told her to think of it as she knows that training him to his full potential will make him even better. Abby’s most favorite horse at the ranch is little Jack, the little orphan. His mom, Brown Jewel, died from colic not long after giving birth to Jack. Since then, Abby has taken over the duty of caring and the training of Jack. A little after that a letter arrives from a private investigator who is working for a rich Texas rancher. A while back, someone had stolen a few of the rancher’s prize horses, and the investigator suspects that the Lovitts had purchased one of the stolen horses. If Brown Jewel is proven to be the stolen mare, the owners are going to want to take her bestfriend back to Texas.
The theme of the book that stands out to me most would be to try your hardest at anything you do in life. Abby is a determined and hardworking girl with compassion and a big heart. Abby had to face some huge obstacles throughout the story, including a crippling fear. A crippling Fear is something that most riders come encounter with at some point of getting hurt on or off your horse. Abby knew that if she wanted to continue to ride that she would have to get over her fear of getting hurt and she eventually did. Abby is a very brave and compassionate girl who had many troubles come her way and also had many fearful times, but that didn't make her stop loving and caring for all of the horses who were once hurt or who were most likely going to be sold. Abby made the story not just about the amount of horses being sold or found, she made the story about her love towards the horses. although Abby wasn't allowed the get to emotionally close to the horses, she still had a very special bond with the horses that nobody else at the ranch could even compare to.
March 10, 2016
This is a challenging review to write because my thoughts are all over the place.
The writing: It’s excellent. I mean the author is a Pulitzer Prize winner. You don’t just buy one of those awards at the University of Phoenix or anything.
Horses: This was way fun to read about horses from someone who KNOWS her equine particulars. If the horse facts are not accurate, I won’t wade through the book.
Faith/Scripture: I was shocked at the first mention of faith. (Not having read the first book in the series, and no mention of it on the back copy, I was seriously caught off guard.) I continued reading suspiciously, not sure whether which way the author was going with this aspect (genuine or mocking.)
Foul Language: Technically, there was one instance: arse. But the guy who said it was British, and he was not cussing. For those with gentle sensibilities, you have been warned; for all others, I don’t think you will find anything offensive in this novel.
Here are weird/challenging parts for me. Ok, so the book is shelved on the Middle Grade shelf, but the writing seems too sophisticated for 12 year olds. There is not a lot of action. The conflict is internal. And the beauty of the story is subtle. I supposed a mature, horse-obsessed middle schooler will appreciate this work, but I’m skeptical. I enjoyed it, but sometimes I act 12. Its intended audience is definitely not everyone.
I have to say again the horse stuff was top notch. All of it.
By the end of the book I determined that the author was not as knowledgeable about the faith piece. I’m not sure why it was included (my research leads me to believe it was a more integral part of the first book). I don’t think the author is a Christian herself, and I don’t think her motivations were to reach believers and encourage them in their faith. I appreciated seeing the MC struggle with her faith. She made a couple choices that were not particularly God honoring, but they weren’t blasphemous either. The piece I couldn’t accept was the devout father using chance to find a verse and interpreting it out of context to help him make a difficult decision. That is not how my faith works, and it is not how my God speaks to me.
The pace is a bit slow and, like I said, the brilliance is subtle. It took me a while to finish this book, simply because I kept putting it down and doing something else. It didn’t grip me by the lapels and scream, “READ ME!”
Overall, it was a delightful read.
The writing: It’s excellent. I mean the author is a Pulitzer Prize winner. You don’t just buy one of those awards at the University of Phoenix or anything.
Horses: This was way fun to read about horses from someone who KNOWS her equine particulars. If the horse facts are not accurate, I won’t wade through the book.
Faith/Scripture: I was shocked at the first mention of faith. (Not having read the first book in the series, and no mention of it on the back copy, I was seriously caught off guard.) I continued reading suspiciously, not sure whether which way the author was going with this aspect (genuine or mocking.)
Foul Language: Technically, there was one instance: arse. But the guy who said it was British, and he was not cussing. For those with gentle sensibilities, you have been warned; for all others, I don’t think you will find anything offensive in this novel.
Here are weird/challenging parts for me. Ok, so the book is shelved on the Middle Grade shelf, but the writing seems too sophisticated for 12 year olds. There is not a lot of action. The conflict is internal. And the beauty of the story is subtle. I supposed a mature, horse-obsessed middle schooler will appreciate this work, but I’m skeptical. I enjoyed it, but sometimes I act 12. Its intended audience is definitely not everyone.
I have to say again the horse stuff was top notch. All of it.
By the end of the book I determined that the author was not as knowledgeable about the faith piece. I’m not sure why it was included (my research leads me to believe it was a more integral part of the first book). I don’t think the author is a Christian herself, and I don’t think her motivations were to reach believers and encourage them in their faith. I appreciated seeing the MC struggle with her faith. She made a couple choices that were not particularly God honoring, but they weren’t blasphemous either. The piece I couldn’t accept was the devout father using chance to find a verse and interpreting it out of context to help him make a difficult decision. That is not how my faith works, and it is not how my God speaks to me.
The pace is a bit slow and, like I said, the brilliance is subtle. It took me a while to finish this book, simply because I kept putting it down and doing something else. It didn’t grip me by the lapels and scream, “READ ME!”
Overall, it was a delightful read.
January 29, 2019
2019 - Bk 24. Young Adult Book: The second of the Abby Lovitt series. For a middle school or upper elementary age student who loves horses, with a little bit of mystery thrown in, this is a good series. Abby is an 8th grader in this book. She has overcome bullying (book 1) and is growing into a better sense of herself as a separate individual from her parents and friends. Her father is a horse trainer/trader and an elder in their fundamentalist church (and I use that term as it was in the 1960's - meaning a small church without a seminary-educated clergy, very rigid, and patriarchal). What is well done here is the degree to which Abby's father actively listens to his wife and daughter. There is much love and concern for each family member in this book. No sex, no drugs, only a mystery built around theft of a horse, and the normal issues that beset a girl in 8th grade. The scene where she and her mother try lox and bagels for the first time made me chuckle.
January 13, 2015
A Good Horse, by Jane Smiley, is a fictional book about two horses and a girl. This book is a sequel to the book The George's and the Jewels. The book takes place in in the 1960's of California. Abby Lovitt is in grade eight and lives on a farm with her parents. The girl has many chores but grooming horses has never been one of them. Abby has been taking care of Black George and Jack for a while now. When young Black George does well in the arena, potential buyers start paying attention and Abby is in danger of loosing a horse that she loves. When it is discovered that Jack's mother is a stolen mare, the girl is in danger of loosing the other horse that she loves.
I recommend this book to horse lovers. The author knew the subject that she was writing about and it is an enjoyable read. My favorite character is Black George because he reminds me of the pony that I ride with his attitude.
I recommend this book to horse lovers. The author knew the subject that she was writing about and it is an enjoyable read. My favorite character is Black George because he reminds me of the pony that I ride with his attitude.
Read
December 1, 2015 I would recommend this book because it is very well written. The author does a good job of making her writing easy to follow while still being interesting. The main character is a girl named Abby Lovett. Abby doesn't care about what other people think about her and she is also very determined. For example, when Abby goes to a show, instead of wearing breeches and tall boots like all of the other girls she is quite happy wearing her too small show coat, jodhpurs, and paddock boots. She shows determination when someone threatens to take a horse she has grown to love away from her, and she does everything in her power to keep that from happening.
The main character Abby grows a lot in this book. She grows from being a naïve girl who doesn't want to give up her pony too an understanding young lady who is wise in the ways of the horse world.
The main character Abby grows a lot in this book. She grows from being a naïve girl who doesn't want to give up her pony too an understanding young lady who is wise in the ways of the horse world.
September 9, 2012
This book will be absolutely perfect for kids who can't get enough horse stories, since there is lots of horse talk, horse shows, and horsemanship in this book. Abby, the main character, shows small glints of interesting features but is overall kind of flat, and more of a vehicle for experiencing the horses. For those reasons I was totally and completely bored while reading this book. However, in the hands of a horse-crazy middle-grade reader it's a fantastic book, and I will definitely keep buying this series for the library as Smiley produces more of them.
September 30, 2017
This book was okay. It was intended to be about Abby trying not to lose Jack, but the book kind of wandered on about random stuff that didn't really match the plot. I did like how it ended, but I also don't think anyone can just know when they're being conned. Don't get me wrong, you can have a feeling, but you won't immediately know. Anyway, I don't think it was the best book ever, but it was okay.
July 18, 2018
Part of me wants to be 10 or 11 again, so I could bury myself in these books as much as I did the Timber Trail Riders books at that age.
But I'm not. I'm 62. That said, I've truly enjoyed the first two books of this series for reminding me of the young girl I was. And hey... horse books, right? I never get tired of horse books. :)
But I'm not. I'm 62. That said, I've truly enjoyed the first two books of this series for reminding me of the young girl I was. And hey... horse books, right? I never get tired of horse books. :)
April 20, 2020
A coming of age story of a young girl on a rural California Christian family horse ranch. The time is in the late 60s and it brings back many fond memories.
Very good storyline one that teaches us the privilege we have to form wonderful relationships with the animals in the earth and the positive way of identifying fine relationships with people as we grow.
Very good storyline one that teaches us the privilege we have to form wonderful relationships with the animals in the earth and the positive way of identifying fine relationships with people as we grow.
June 7, 2010
LOVED THIS!
Read
June 11, 2014It's a sweet story, extremely well written. If I was a thirteen year old girl it might be my favorite book.
June 5, 2017
Fun and sweet. Horse facts and training details were correct. Loved the story.
September 5, 2017
I loved this book because it continued the story of Abby's life with school, friends, family, the ranch, customers and most importantly the horses.
December 21, 2019
A Good Horse is a good read. It is told in the first person by Abby, an eighth grader who lives on a struggling farm with religious, church-going parents. Her parents struggle to keep her in riding boots and other riding accessories and usually fall short. Her sleeves and jodhpurs are too short, her boots are borderline too tight. She is a good kid and realizes her parents' financial struggle. But luck is on their side this year and her dad, skilled in the assessment of horses, has chosen two especially good one, Black George and Jack, a yearling born on this farm by a mare supposedly stolen unbeknownst to the people who sold her dad the mare. Abby loves both of them and believes they "love" her but she knows that horses don't necessarily stay on her ranch do it is not smart to get attached. She is put to the test when the possible owner of Jack's mother shows up to claim him. Jack may have a very famous sire and therefore could be an extremely valuable horse.
August 27, 2017
The cover copy of the UK versions of these is somewhat misleading. These are not pony detecting adventures but coming of age (year by year going by the first two) of a solemn, considerate & thoughtful young girl who has been around horses her entire life and is by training and inclination an excellent rider. There's technical horsey stuff too, complete with diagrams (of jump configurations), and because it's Smiley we get some kind of intense Protestant religious background with promises of intolerance explosions to come (the Goldmans, anyone?). Oh and they're set in the 60s, when the author herself would have been around the same age.
February 1, 2018
The book is about a girl named Abby. She owns a ranch and lives with her mom and dad. She has a jumping horse named Black Gorge which she jumps on. Her father has been getting mail from someone who is trying to find a missing horse. He thinks one of the horses they bought is that horse. A connection I have with the character is that we both love horses. Abby reminds me of one of my friends because she tries to get her school work done right away. I have had an experience of when i forgot where to go and my friend just and me fallow her just like when Abby forgot here to go and Black Gorge knew.
August 19, 2025
I loved reading this book. The only thing is it was a little confusing when they were talking about the jumps and the way they were at up. Also what ones she went over. I loved the rest of the book. I loved the little colt. It was a little sad when black George got sold and when Jack was almost going to be sold. It is a good 2nd book in this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2020
Shear delight!A Good Horse continues the story of Abby and her family's little horse farm in California as was told in the book George's And Jewels. Anybody who loves the world of horses will enjoy this quick delightful read. I closed the book with a happy smile.
October 17, 2023
Good book; plotline feels lacking and like it doesn't come to much for most of the book, but it has a twist ending that pulls it all together. It just takes a while to get there. Lots of descriptions for horse-related things that are hard to follow.
July 13, 2024
This story is so well-written and interesting--interesting plot and characters. The author includes many details of competition horse jumping. The chapter decorations by Elaine Clayton depict mostly horse equipment and competition jumps.
September 16, 2019
I actually did not finish this book and it was not good
November 1, 2019
Overall it was a good book ,I like this book because it takes about horse
March 20, 2021
Smiley for youth
Jane Smiley is amazing g! Not all authors can switch audiences easily, but her you ng adult fiction is as delightful as her adult books. Brava !
Jane Smiley is amazing g! Not all authors can switch audiences easily, but her you ng adult fiction is as delightful as her adult books. Brava !
September 19, 2021
13 Year old Abby had two loves. One was riding and the other was a colt named Jack. Will she be able to keep the horses?
August 2, 2023
light entertainment.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews