Twelve-year-old Jodie, disabled by juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and no longer able to ride her beloved horse Monarch, faces a crisis when the two of them are alone at her remote Australia home and a devastating fire approaches.
From School Library Journal
A disease cripples an active girl in this downbeat yet life-affirming story. Jodie, 13, glories in winning jumper competitions on her beloved horse, Monarch. However, she begins to experience mysterious pain, which is eventually diagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis. The spirited Monarch remains in her life as a friend and inspiration, although Jodie must sit on the sidelines watching another girl ride and show the horse. The story's events focus on how Jodie manages to cope with her debilitating condition. Although the book isn't a tearjerker, it will affect readers. They will fume over the insensitivity of some of Jodie's acquaintances, who do not understand the pain she suffers. And they will admire her courage when she (and Monarch) survive a catastrophic firestorm that devastates their Australian town. --Charlene Strickland, formerly at Albuquerque Public Library , NM
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Did you find this review helpful?