EDITORIAL REVIEW

• Faith-spiritual,
• In Count's middle-grade novel, a young girl bonds with her elderly neighbor's pony and is distraught when he sends him away.
  Twelve-year-old Grace has fallen in love with the pony next door, a buckskin gelding she names Preacher (because his whinnying and pacing remind her of her dad's sermons at church). Preacher belongs to Mr. Harvey, an irascible old widower for whom Grace's mother prepares food and whom Grace has adopted as her "grump-pa" ("Thank you, Grace. You're very kind to a grumpy old man"). When Mr. Harvey hurts his foot, Grace leaps at the chance to help him feed Preacher. Soon, she's grooming the pony and preparing him to have his hooves clipped. When she tries to ride him, however, the ensuing accident only serves to convince Mr. Harvey and Grace's mother that Preacher is dangerous. Desperate to show otherwise, Grace signs up for summer horse camp and riding lessons. She's sure that if she learns the ropes herself, she'll be able to train Preacher—and maybe even buy him from Mr. Harvey. Her hopes are dashed when she comes home from camp to find Preacher gone; Mr. Harvey, who is suffering from dementia, has sent him away and can't remember where. Will Grace ever be reunited with her beloved horse? Count crafts a straightforward narrative with easy, cantering prose. Grace is an endearing protagonist, full of love, optimism and excitement—but, on the flip side, she also exhibits a debilitating urgency and a flurry of "what if?" doubts. The relationship she forms with Mr. Harvey is a heartfelt bond that, when revealed, proves unexpectedly touching. Mr. Harvey himself is a well-drawn character, both his dementia and his affectionate nature hidden beneath a gruff exterior, an aversion to religion, and lingering grief over his wife's death. The story is full of horse-talk and equine adoration sufficient to warm the hearts of all those who love ponies (in real life or on the page).
  Sweet pony fiction that ticks all the boxes and delivers depth beyond genre. Kirkus Reviews

• Preach It, Grace is a Christian horse story about faith, friendship, and how both are tested when the effort of sharing a pony goes awry. But, this isn't the usual band of girls who do the sharing. It's Grace and her elderly neighbor, which enhances the plot by surveying intergenerational differences and conflicts when Mr. Harvey suddenly sends Preacher away ... and won't tell Grace where and why he's gone.
  Mr. Harvey has been talking about Preacher's behavior issues and handling. Grace's efforts to tame Preacher and demonstrate that he is, indeed, a good horse creates an aura of kindness and understanding that surrounds her with faith and well-being, but events also introduce challenges that lead her to question her own motivations and heart:
  "Why wouldn't Mr. Harvey think about what she said? She talked to herself as she collected the eggs. 'Get over it, Grace! So you didn't get what you wanted. Were you only helping him because you're selfish?' ­That question niggled her heart. That would make me a terrible person. I help him because I want to. Because it's the right thing to do. Because I love that cranky old man like my own grandpa."
  Where other stories about horse-crazy girls focus on horses pretty much to the exclusion of interpersonal relationships, Susan Count 's focus on the evolving, changing dynamics of faith and friendship adds value to Grace's horse-centric experiences and focus. It also creates opportunities for Christian young reader group discussions.
  The insights on friendship, motivation, perception, and conflict resolution rest on a series of interactions that will not only entertain girls who love horses, but gently leads them to consider accompanying issues of sharing jobs, friendship, faith, and the interactions and contrasting perceptions of old age and youth.
  All these facets make Preach It, Grace of exceptional and special interest to Christian young readers. This audience will receive all the passion and lively experiences of horses, tempered by the equal passion for God, family and friends, and growth. All these elements make Grace a realistic, compelling character who learns invaluable lessons about interacting with the world around her. D. Donovan, Sr. Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
• Honorable Mention - Angel Book Awards
  This was a very emotional touching story. It was beautifully resolved in a way I didn't expect. It felt slow to start and I really didn't care for Grace's sense of entitlement to Preacher throughout the book...over all a strong story that I'm pleased to add to my daughter's shelf.
  Most youth are not around horses or may have never thought this in depth about horses. That being said, it is an opportunity for their minds to wonder and be curious, to learn something new. This opportunity to learn about horses and being an equestrian will spark and keep the youth's interest while reading the book. I believe the horse anatomy and tack diagrams make it even more engaging.
  Yolonda Tonette Sanders, Ph.D., and Cindy Thomson, FFBF Directors
  Scott Brown, Julie Dearyan, and Sandra Merville Hart, Jason Karpf, FFBF CommitteePreach It, Grace is the fifth book in Susan Count's Dream Pony Riders series for older elementary children. I have not read the other books in the series. While I did at times feel I might be missing information, it did not detract from my enjoyment of the story.
  Older elementary children are often interested in horse/pony stories making this a great title for the age group. Grace is like many of the girls who will read this title. She is willing to do what she needs to in order to spend time with the pony she loves. She also exhibits love, caring and understanding for her elderly neighbor. Grace is a preacher's daughter and her faith plays a heavy role in the story, even when others ridicule her for her faith.
  Preach It, Grace would be a great addition to a K-12 Christian school library. It is appropriate for older elementary-aged children as well as some middle schoolers. Library Lady's Kid Lit

  "Preach It Grace" by Susan Count is a great read for young girls who likes horses. It is a great story about what love and faith can do. This book is book number 5 of 6. I haven't read any of the others, but I didn't have trouble following the story so I believe that maybe they could be stand alones . But I can tell you that after reading this book, I definitely want to read the others. I really like Grace's determination to do the right thing even when it seemed like all odds were against her. I love the relationship between Grace and her elderly neighbor. I definitely recommend this book. Debbie's Dusty Deliberations'

  Preach It, Grace: A Girl's Testimony of Faith is the fifth installment from the Dream Pony Riders series by Susan Count. Even though it is part of a series and since I have not read the other books in it, I believe it can easily be read as a stand alone. I enjoyed this story of faith with lessons to be learned by the reader. I loved it.
  I am going to give Preach It, Grace: A Girl's Testimony of Faith five stars. I recommend it for readers between the ages of seven and twelve years old, as well as, those who are horse lovers. I would love to read the other books from the Dream Pony Riders series to see what happened previously. Locks, Hooks and Books

THEME

Preach It, Grace by Susan Count is a coming-of-age, middle-grade novel that is book five in the Dream Pony Riders Series about riding and caring for ponies. Parents of readers, age 8 -12, appreciate the life lessons teaching the importance of faith and family, living with purpose, pursuit of dreams, care of the elderly, and lasting friendships. The story promotes kindness in a page turning, joyful narrative.

• Horse Care,
• Dementia
• Care for elderly neighbor
• Plan of salvation
• Respect for parents and elders
• Longing for a pony