CW: sexual harassment, fat jokes, dieting

I don’t know too much about horses or equestrian riding, save for Sonic and Mario at the Olympic Games, so I enjoyed learning about it in an engaging way.

I thought Kate’s narrative read very believable. Now, she isn’t perfect or polished – Kate’s not like other girls, she’s only concerned with her weight because others are and it leads her to Body Balancers (Weight Watchers); she notices thin girls have a vastly different experience than her, she’s bullied by the mean girls at school, and feels slightly jealous of her bestfriend Becky.

Some may be put off by it, but I think this is relatable and realistic to many middle-schoolers, who may not be mature or aware. A lot of the youth today are more conscious and knowledgeable, but they may/will be ignorant at some points.

My heart… when Kate finally broke down from her brother and his friends picking at her weight and being overall gross. ;__; Those remarks hurt, and I felt Kate’s frustration. I also want to say I was surprised that Kate and Becky never had a falling out. usually, in these MG stories it's inevitable.

Overall, not bad! ( )

Kate and her best friend do everything together - except ride horses. Kate loves horses, but Becky is allergic, so Kate goes to the barn by herself. The barn is her haven, but it's also where snobby Jana and her friends tease Kate about her weight and how many times she falls.

In twelve-turning-thirteen-year-old Kate, self-consciousness and self-confidence compete. In Kate's corner are Becky, fellow "barn rat" Valerie, her trainer Barb, and her parents. Readers need not be horse crazy to enjoy Kate's ride through early adolescence. ( )