Size: 6.00 x 9.00 in
Pages: 156
Size: 6.00 x 9.00 in
Pages: 155
Size: 6.00 x 9.00 in
Pages: 128
A young girl’s ability to keep her pony is threatened by financial stress on her family.
The strain intensifies when the pony is injured requiring expensive treatment. Even if Lily could afford it, China might never walk again.
Is mild-mannered Lily strong enough to make the difficult choices? What if that means letting go of her adored pony?
Abby hugged Lily. “Whatever happens tonight—Glory and I are here to help.”
“Thanks.” As she pulled away and wiped her tears, Lily realized the time. “Agh! It’s late. I want to get home to help with dinner.” She hurried to lead China into the barn.
“Hope it turns out to be nothing. The parents calling a meeting is always bad for me. Usually, at the end of the meeting, I’m grounded.”
“I’d be okay with grounded. I couldn’t sleep last night. I’m afraid. Something is super awful wrong with my mom, and I don’t understand what Dad said about China. What if they take away China?”
“Wait. What? Take away China? Why would they do that?”
“It’s a bad feeling. I don’t know anything yet. Look here.” Lily grabbed the corner of her mouth and turned the inside of her cheek out revealing a raw spot. “That’s how worried I am.”
READ MORE“Yikes. That looks like it hurts.” Abby grimaced. “If they take away China, we’ll share Glory. Mrs. Carter wouldn’t mind at all.”
“You’re the best, Abby. Losing China would ruin my life. But my mom comes first.”
“For sure.” Abby nodded knowingly. “I get it. If Mrs. Carter ever decided to move Glory somewhere else, I don’t know what I’d do. What am I saying? Of course I do. I’d move with her. Lucky for me, Mrs. Carter seems happy here and happy with our sharing.” Abby chuckled as she pulled off the saddle and bridle. “I forgot to check the water float in the big pasture trough. Have to do that. Flooding the pasture is a no-no. See you tomorrow.”
After Lily untacked and put her things away, she walked China to her stall. In a hurry, she hugged the mare. “Be a good girl and don’t you worry. Even if it’s the worst. Even if it turns out we can’t be together anymore, nothing could separate our hearts.” She inhaled the mare’s warm comforting scent as if to keep part of her forever.
COLLAPSETHEME
Lily Makes A Way by Susan Count is a coming-of-age, middle-grade novel that is book two in the Dream Pony Riders Series about riding ponies. Parents of readers, age 8 -12, appreciate the life lessons teaching the importance of hard work, faith, compassion, perseverance in dealing with adversity, and lasting friendships. The story promotes self-reliance in a page turning, joyful narrative.
- Hard work
- Perseverance
- Dealing with adversity
- Compromise
- Love of family
- Close friendships
- Horse care
- Horse riding