Children's Reading List

Please help support CTS and its Read to Ride Program. Buy purchasing these books through this website, CTS will receive a commissioin. Just click on the book picture to be taken to Amazon.com. Thank you for your support.

Ages 6-9

Animal Ark Series
By Ben Baglio and Others

Mandy and her family run a veterinarian clinic where they look after many different animals! Read the horse books from this series and find out what happens to an abused pony or a horse with colic, and what the vets can do to help them through the day.

Big Apple Barn Series
By Kristin Earhart

Happy Go Lucky is a young pony at the Big Apple Barn riding school. Happy has a lot to learn to become a great school pony. But he has a lot of friends to help him along the way. Can he do it? Read the series to find out!

Brown Sunshine of Sawdust Valley
By Marguerite Henry

Molly Moore wants nothing more than a fancy sleek horse. When her family buys her a skinny mare she is very disappointed. But soon enough her mare has a surprise for everyone. She gives birth to a baby mule! Lady Sue and Brown Sunshine are now the love of Molly's life. Brown Sunshine even gets to be in the mule day parade! Sound exciting? It is ... read the book!

Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa
By Erica Silverman

These stories tell how a cowgirl named Kate and her horse Cocoa have different adventures together. Read them to find out what happens to the cowgirl and her horse!

Fritz and the Beautiful Horses
By Jan Brett

Fritz, the trusty pony, lives outside of a walled city where every horse that lives there must be beautiful. As hard as Fritz tries he can't make in into the city. One day the bridge to the walled kingdom breaks! Can Fritz take all the children safely back across the bridge to their parents? Can he finally get into the walled city? Read this book to find out what happens to Fritz and all the children!

Helena the Horse-Riding Fairy
By Daisy Meadows

Helena the horse-riding fairy is excited for the fairy Olympics, as is every other fairy. But what's this? Jack Frost is stealing the sports fairies' magical items that they need to compete. Can Rachel and Kristie help Helena straighten the stable up ... before Jack Frost's goblins take over the whole competition? Find the magic secret item in the book Helena the Horse-Riding Fairy.

I Am a Rider
By Jane Feldman

Meet Eve. She has an amazing life! Her mother is a horseback riding teacher and she has her own horse! Lightning is half-Connemara and half-Arabian which makes a great combination. Read all about Eve's real life!

My Chincoteague Pony
By Susan Jeffers

In this picture book, Julie wants more than anything to buy a pony from Chincoteague Island. But she just doesn't have enough money. Will her dream finally come true?

My Pony
By Susan Jeffers

A young girl has always dreamed of having her own pony. Every night she draws a picture of her dream pony, Silver. What's this? She can ride this pony? Where will the pony take her? Read this story to find out!

My Pony Jack Series
By Cari Meister

In rhymes, a girl describes a day with her horse Jack. She grooms him feeds him and all the other things she needs to do in order to have a happy pony.

Penny the Pony Fairy
By Daisy Meadows

Penny the pony fairy has a pony named Glitter. She loves Glitter very much. When Jack Frost steals Glitter Penny knows that she has to find a way to save her special friend. Can she do it? You must read the story to find the answer!

Pony-Crazed Princess Series
By Diana Kimpton and Lizzie Finlay

Princess Ellie has horses all her own in the royal stable. But, it's not always perfect there. When some strange things start happening it's up to Ellie to make everything right again!

Pony Days Series
By Peter Clover

Emma and her Shetland Pony, Sheltie, have lots of adventures together. Sheltie has a great character and has lots of fun with Emma. But sometimes Sheltie's curiosity gets the better of him and that leads to trouble. A Shetland Pony is a great breed but is a handful at times just like Sheltie, so read on if you would like to learn more about Sheltie, Emma and their adventures together.

Pony Pals Series
By Jeanne Betancourt

Three friends - Anna, Lulu and Pam - share a love for horses. They have their own too! Just like their owners: Acorn the pony, Snow White the snowy white mare and Lightning the horse that has a lucky upside down heart on her forehead are friends too! These SIX friends have many fun and not-so-fun adventures. Want to know more? Read the Pony Pals Series.

Pony Tails Series
By Bonnie Bryant

This series is about the younger kids of a pony club. Best friends and neighbors May Grover and Jasmine James have a mystery on their hands. Can they solve it?

Riding School
By Catherine Saunders

In this special book you can learn to ride with a real riding class! Meet the other kids in your class - Alexandra, Olivia, Holly and Sammy - and also the horses they ride: Mattie, Honey, Cullud and Bertie. Enjoy your class!

Riding the Pony Express
By Clyde Robert Bulla

Three friends are running a mail system. Dick Park, Katy Kelly and Little Bear must work together to keep the mail moving. Can they succeed?

Sneaky Pony Series
By Hadley Higgenson and Maja Andersen

Keeker (Catherine Corey Keegan Dana) wants a pony. Plum a Shetland pony knows about little girls but when Plum moves to Keeker's farm she and the girl need to learn to trust each other to be able to get along. Can the pair do it?

Summer Pony
By Jean Slaughter

Daly Ginny has always wanted a pony to call her very own. When her parents decide to rent a pony for her in the summer Ginny can't be more excited! But the pony farm she and her family look at does not have the best looking ponies that Ginny has dreamed of. All but one. Mokey is a shaggy half starved pony. Ginny is thinking that her summer will be terrible! But then something happens that makes Ginny wish that her summer will never end! What happened? You won't know unless you read Summer Pony. If you like Summer Pony you'll enjoy Winter Pony too!

The Perfect Pony
By Corinne Demas

Jamie meets a wonderful pony named Mcintosh. And better yet his owner is giving him away! Jamie knows that Mcintosh is the perfect pony. Will she finally have a pony to call her own? Or is Mcintosh just TOO good to be true?

Ages 9-13

Ariel's Journey, The Ice Horse Adventures
By Doug Kane and Christy Wood

Five different girls set off in the woods to learn about Icelandic Horses. Not to be mistaken with ponies these horses are beautiful, fluffy, stocky horses Each of the five horses that come along has its own personality. This trip has a surprise. The horses and riders travel back 800 years to save a princess and to end a battle between two kindoms. Can they do it? Read to find out!

Black Beauty
By Anna Seweli

Told from a horse's point of view this amazing story tells how the famous black stallion's life changes each time he gets a new owner. Will Black Beauty ever have a place to call home? That he won't have to leave? This book has the answer to that secret.

Blind Beauty
By K.M. Peyton

After the breakup of her parents, Tess was torn away from her beautiful but blind horse Shiner. Tess has now turned into an angry, hateful person. After getting kicked out of every school she gets into, can Tess make her life better? And will a new job at her stepfather's stable be good for her?

Callie Shaw, Stableboy
By Judy Alter

Callie Shaw's aunt who raised her believes that horse racing is "devil's work." Despite this fact the 15-year old dresses up as a boy to be able to work around the stables. Will she get caught? Find out in Callie Shaw, Stableboy.

Canterwood Crest Series
By Jessica Burkhart

When Sasha Silver and her Belgian Thoroughbred-mix Charm arrive on the campus of Canterwood Crest Academy the transition from her small town to the large campus and professional-looking stable is anything but smooth. The "Trio," a.k.a. Heather, Julia and Alison, give Sasha a terrible time. Can Sasha continue at Canterwood Crest? Or will she end up going back to her old town without a chance to shine? Find the answers when you read the fantastic Canterwood Crest series.

Felicity: An American Girl Series
By Valerie Tripp

Live through Felicity a girl growing up in the 1770's during the revolutionary war. There is one horse that Felicity loves and she knows that she has to save it from its terrible owner. Can she do it?

Girls and their Horses
By American Girl Library

From American Girl's Library, this book is a great way to learn about how "man and beast" (although we don't think of them as beasts) can work together and do amazing things! Do you know how to muck a stall? Or how people like to ride in rodeos? Well you will if you ride this book!

Happy Horsemanship
By Dorothy Henderson

Pinch From the view of a horse, this book tells you how to look after a horse and how you can both work together to get along. Have a question about horses that you would like to know the answer to? Maybe Happy Horsemanship can help!

Horsefeathers Series
By Dandi Daley Mackall

The eighth grader Scoop lives on a horse farm with her aunt and her grandmother. But they can barely afford it. Can Scoop come up with a plan to not only save the farm but her beloved horse Orphan too? Read to find out!

Horse Diaries
By Patricia Hermes

Told from the horses' points of view, this series describes how each different horse's life happens. They also say a lot about each breed and how it has special qualities. These books are great ways to learn about famous horse breeds.

Justin Morgan Had a Horse
By Marguerite Henry

By the author of Misty of Chincoteague, Marguerite Henry has a story to tell about how America's wonderful breed: the Morgan Horse originated right here in the USA! Read Justin Morgan had a Horse and you will be an expert on Morgan horses!

Kaya: An American Girl Series
By Janet Beeler

Shaw Kaya is a Native American girl growing up in 1764. She and her two horses have lots of adventures together. Read all about them!

King of the Wind
By Marguerite Henry

The golden-red stallion Sham was named after the Sun. He was born in the Sultan of Morocco's stables. On his heel there is a symbol of speed: a small white dot. But on his chest is the symbol of misfortune. Although Sham is a wonderful horse with great pedigree and very swift, he has cruel owners that mistreat him horribly. Sham and his stable boy friend Agbab travel all the way to France. After spending time with French royalty, the boy and horse find a safe home in green pastures in England. To learn more about this amazing horse and his story, read King of the Wind.

Little Squire
By Judy Andrekson

Little Squire was born in a meadow in Ireland. He has straight strong legs and good head. But because of his small size, there is doubt that he will be a good riding pony. Over the course of his life, Little Squire has changed owners many different times. He ends up across the ocean on the American show jumping circuit with another Irish immigrant, Mickey Walsh. This story is a great tale of two friends and the little pony with a big personality.

Lucky Foot Stable Series
By JoAnn S. Dawson

In this series, friends Mary and Josie's ponies are boarded at Mr. McMurray's dairy farm where there is a small area called Lucky Foot Stable. These two friends and their ponies enjoy lots of adventures together. Read the whole series about all their fun!

Misty of Chincoteague
By Marguerite Henry

The Phantom Horse of Assateague Island has everyone wanting her. Paul and Maureen Beebe especially. On Pony Penning day everyone has a surprise. When Paul comes in with not only the Phantom but her colt as well. Can Paul and Maureen raise enough money to buy them? Read Misty of Chincoteague to find out!

My Friend Flicka
By Mary O'Hara

When Ken McLaughlin sees Flicka for the first time, he knows that she is the yearling that he has always dreamed of. Can he capture her from the wild and tame her? Only the book holds the answer.

National Velvet
By Enid Bagnold

In this novel, a horse lover named Velvet wants to own a horse that she calls The Pie. But, after she loses the raffle to own him, Velvet has lost all hope. When a miracle happens to make her the owner of The Pie she knows that she has to show the world his amazing speed. But, she can't do it without a jockey. Can she find one in time to make her dream become true?

Paint the Wind
By Pam Munoz Ryan

A box filled with old toy horses, a photograph that makes no sense, and a tiny memory is all that Maya has left of her mother. Maya lives with Grandmother who has very strict rules that Maya is forced to follow. Until a sudden event changes Maya's life forever. At the same time a wild mustang runs free, fast as the wind. But with everything in the wilderness to look out for Artemisia is trying desperately to protect her foal. What will happen to Artemisia when she and her foal get separated and Maya comes to live with her mother's family? Read the great novel Paint the Wind to find out!

Phantom Stallion Series
By Terri Farley

After recovery from her injuries from a bad fall off her colt, Sam has to get used to riding and living on a ranch. But, while she's gone what happened to her colt Blackie? Could he be the wild Phantom Stallion that everyone has been talking about? You won't know unless you read The Phantom Stallion!

Riding Freedom
By Pam Munoz Ryan

This book by Pam Munoz Ryan is a fictional story about the first woman to vote in California and maybe the United States too. Did horses have any involvement in this great achievement? You'll have to read Riding Freedom to find out!

Saddle Club Series
By Bonnie Bryant

Three best friends - Carole, Stevie and Lisa - make up the Saddle Club. They love to ride and hang out at the stable and their favorite ice cream shop. But not every day is fun especially when Veronica is involved. The daughter of a rich man in the town is always trying to torment the girls. Is it because she's jealous of them? Read the book to find out!!!

SeaStar, Orphan of Chincoteague
By Marguerite Henry

Movie Producers have come to the Chincoteague to film the annual Pony Penning. At first Paul and Maureen were very excited until they realize that the producers want to buy their precious Misty. They agree to sell her although it breaks their hearts to see Misty go, in order to send their uncle to college. They both have a lonely spot now that Misty is gone. Then, they find an orphaned colt. Will Sea Star help Paul and Maureen deal with their loss of Misty? This book holds the answer, so read ahead!

Starlight Animal Rescue Series
By Dandi Daley Mackall

16-year old Dakota Brown used to love horses ... until she lost everything including hope. As soon as she gets to her foster parents' home, she plans her escape. But what if this is the home she always dreamed of? Read the series to find out!

Stormy, Misty's Foal
By Marguerite Henry

A storm is coming! A storm is coming! The sequel to the Newberry Award winning Misty of Chincoteague is an exciting book where a storm is coming and Paul and Maureen are frantic with worry because Misty is about to give birth toher foal. But the storm continues to come. Will Misty and her colt survive? The only way to find out is to read the book!

The Black Stallion
By Walter Farley

This book tells the tale of a boy and a wild horse. You guessed it! It's the black stallion. Read about their adventures!

The Georges and The Jewels
By Jane Smiley

12-year old Abby, feels like an outsider in her seventh grade class. Her family has no TV or rock music. But, her family does own a horse barn where they buy and sell horses. Abbys job is to ride the horses for exercise. But there's one problem. All the mares' names are Jewel and all the stallions and geldings' George! There's one horse that Abby must keep: Baby George, Abby knows that she can train him into a champion. Can she keep the foal? And can she get up her courage to ride "Ornery George?" Read to find out!

Wildwood Stables
By Suzanne Weyn

Taylor Henry has always loved horses but ever since her parent's divorce her mother is having trouble getting enough money for riding lessons. When an abused and neglected horse along with his pony friend is rescued, Taylor is happy to help take care of them. But these animals need a home and Taylor is running out of time. Can the old stable on Wildwood Lane be the answer? Will Taylor's biggest dream - a horse of her own and maybe a pony too - come true? Read to learn more!

Wild Girl
By Patricia Reilly Gift

Lidie lives in Brazil. She loves to ride her neighbor's horse. She waits for the day when she can live with her father and brother in New York City One day she gets to go to live with them! But her new world is hard. She has to learn English and go to school, and let her father and brother know that she is not the little girl they left behind in Brazil. They don't even know that she rides! To show her family what a good rider she is, she rides the wildest horse in the barn. Can she do it? Read ahead!

Winnie the Horse Gentler
By Dandi Daley Mackall

Winnie Willis and her sister and father have traveled all over the place to try to find a good home after the girls' mother died. When they get to Ohio, Winnie picks up a job at Stable-Mart where she mucks stalls. There she meets Wild Thing an Arabian mare that the owners abuse. Winnie knows that she can gentle the mare if only the mare were hers! Can Winnie get enough money in time to buy the horse of her dreams at a local auction? Read to find out where Winnie and Wild Thing's lives will take them next!