New Release Books by Jessie Haas

In this horse adventure perfect for fans of Black Beauty, a Connemara pony is pampered and beloved, then abused and neglected, until twelve-year-old Rae brings love to her again. Princess lives a charmed life of brown sugar cubes, crunchy apples, sweet grass, and adoration. But it is a lonely life; her elderly owner keeps Princess separate from other ponies so his show-ring champion will remain pristine. When Princess's owner has a stroke, she is thrust into the care of an unscrupulous trainer and his wife, who steal from the farm and leave. Abandoned to starve with other, tougher ponies, Princess is bereft of all hope. Meanwhile, a girl named Rae wants a pony more than anything and is striving to make her unrealistic dream a reality. Rae and Princess need each other, though neither realizes this when they eventually meet. Rae must learn to see beyond Princess's scars and Princess must learn to trust again in order for them both to find their own hidden strengths and a home in each other.

Here is a completely revised, full-color second edition of the established go-to source for equestrian information. This comprehensive A-to-Z guide covers “everything horse” and bridges gaps in the equestrian universe between English and Western styles. More than 1,700 entries explain wide-ranging topics such as breeds, tack, facilities, equine care and management, health and safety issues, riding styles and disciplines, shows, and much more. Whether you’re a rodeo hand, thoroughbred racer, seasoned professional, or armchair admirer, you’ll get everything you need from noted equestrian author Jessie Haas’ clear and thorough descriptions. American Horse Publications Association's Equine Media Awards Winner

Preparing for a major winter storm, Bramble and Maggie anticipate playing in the deep snow and wind up helping trapped neighbors before sharing an impromptu block party of marshmallows and cocoa.

Named to the West Virginia Children’s Book Award Master List: In the first horse show with her new mare, Lily competes against her best friend for the blue ribbon Today’s the big day. Lily and her horse, Beware, are going to compete in the junior horse show. Lily’s best friend, Mandy, is also in the competition, riding her horse, Shane. When Lily and her mother and grandfather arrive, Mandy looks so grown up, like a rider in a magazine. And with his shining copper coat, Shane looks just like a show horse. Worried that Beware looks shaggy next to Shane, Lily brushes her until she’s sleek and polished. Then it’s time for Lily to get ready. She puts on her breeches and boots and tries to remember everything her grandfather taught her about riding. Will Lily and Beware walk away with the blue? And will Lily and Mandy still be best friends when it’s over?

From award-winning author Jessie Haas, nine interconnected tales about kids and their love of animals In “The Wake,” fifteen-year-old Kris tries to comfort her great-aunt Mil, who is grief stricken over the death of Puttins, her old cat and longtime companion. With her grave, golden-brown eyes and long, graceful paws, “The Greyhound” is almost human . . . and Kris’s friend Phillip is determined to save this special, endangered dog. Even if her father doesn’t understand her love of animals, Kris realizes that your “Extended Family” can be as big as you want it to be, including cherished pets and not just your (sometimes unlovable) blood ties. “Horse Man” is James MacLiesh, who believes he was “bred to ride,” just as horses were “bred to be ridden.” And in the title story, James is torn between loyalty to his faithful horse Robbie and his dreams of glory with a sleek, majestic steed named Avatar. Everything changes when horse and rider get lost and James has to depend on Robbie, whose ancient animal understanding lights the trail home and leads them to a surprising destination. These and the other stories in this collection illuminate the powerful, enduring bond between animals and people.

A Publishers Weekly Best Book and Parents Choice Gold Award: Following her mother’s death, a thirteen-year-old has to adjust to life on a farm—and tame a wild young colt It’s 1910, and Harriet Gibson, orphaned by the death of her mother in a horse-and-buggy accident, is sent to live on a relative’s hillside Vermont farm with her two-year-old colt. Grieving her loss, Harry now has to adjust to a new life and make new friends. And Aunt Sarah is a harsh taskmaster. Desperate to get away from her stern, domineering aunt, Harry decides to break in her untrained young Morgan so she can ride the seven miles to her new school. But an accident will force Harry to adapt once more as she makes surprising discoveries about her aunt . . . and a family secret comes to light. This is a stunning novel about love, loss, and blood ties—and about how even when the heart is shattered, the human spirit remains unbroken.

Named to the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award Master List: A fifteen-year-old copes with a parent’s imminent death by nurturing two orphaned kittens in the New England countryside Philip Johnson has recently moved with his mother and terminally ill father from his beloved midwestern farm to a New England suburb. He works part time at the local clinic, where he helps the vet put down sick or abandoned animals. What he really wants is to save them, the way he did the endangered greyhound he found a home for with his friend Kris. When a litter of discarded kittens are scheduled to be euthanized, he rescues them—only this time, there’s no one to take them in. Hiding the kittens from his family, Philip brings them to an abandoned cottage in the woods. He starts cutting classes to care for them, determined to keep them alive as winter approaches. A novel about a kid who feels alienated from his family, his new community, and most of all, himself, Skipping School is about finding hope and never giving up, even in the face of insurmountable odds.

An untamed horse has run away—can Lily and Beware find him and bring him home? After a storm scatters all the livestock on her grandparents’ farm, Lily discovers that Gramp’s wild black Morgan is missing. Stogie’s a horse with a mind of his own, and when he runs, no one can ever catch him. Stogie may be boss of the other animals on the farm, but he’s afraid of people. And a frightened horse is a dangerous one. Lily’s determined to find the black Morgan and bring him home before he ends up getting hurt—or shot. Since no one can catch Stogie, no one can lead him. But Lily brings a rope anyway. As she and Beware set off on their search, she tries to put herself in Stogie’s shoes to figure out where he would go. Then she gets an idea . . . Can she and Beware find and catch Stogie before it’s too late?

“Portraying human and animal characters empathetically, the narrative features moments of humor as well as insight. . . . Highly satisfying.” — Booklist Maggie loves introducing her new horse, Bramble, to the neighborhood, the beach, and the backyard. Bramble has fun too, once she is cajoled into participating by a well-timed carrot or two. But when Maggie has to go to school, Bramble is bored and lonely and gets into some trouble. This charming and funny early reader flows at just the right pace for kids who are learning that others don’t always do exactly what you want, but that friends find a way to give and take.

James MacLiesh shocks his conventional parents when he chooses to work with horses instead of going to college—can he make it happen? Bucking his parents—and tradition—seventeen-year-old James MacLiesh decides he wants to be a horse trainer. When he arrives at his cousins’ farm, James enters a world completely different from that of his privileged, boarding-school upbringing. Not quite prepared for the rambling, ramshackle old house, he knows he made the right decision the minute he goes into the barn. The horses are magnificent. Ghazal, an obedient if aloof white stallion, is to be James’s first training project. But first, James has to re-train himself. Taking place over four seasons and filled with appealing characters—James’s uncle Tom and second cousin Gloria, and a riding student named Jennifer Bascomb—Working Trot is about following your dreams and sticking to them no matter what.

A Golden Kite Honor Book: A boy grieving the loss of his dog meets a man who can transform the lives of animals—and people Chad Holloway feels estranged from his entire family. His tantrum-throwing older sister, Julia, and baby brother, Sky, drive him crazy. His parents don’t understand him at all. And ever since his grandfather shot Chad’s dog Shep, they haven’t been speaking to each other, even though Jeep says it was a mercy killing. Queenie, the new puppy Jeep bought to make amends, will never replace Shep. Not even close. Chad has no idea how he’s going to get through this summer. Then he meets his new neighbor. David Burton is a shaper—a dog trainer who changes animals’ behavior using positive reinforcement. He hires Chad as his assistant and suddenly, things start to happen. Chad uses Queenie as a guinea pig to try out David’s techniques. Except Chad starts to feel like he’s the one being shaped. And he really likes David’s daughter Louise, a dancer who’s a year older than Chad. They’re helping him to heal and believe in life’s wonderful possibilities. Will he be able to forgive his grandfather and find a place in his eccentric family?

Based on real-life events, a gripping historical novel from award-winning young adult author Jessie Haas To Sue Gorham, life in Westminster West isn’t fair, not at all. It isn’t fair that she has to do most of the backbreaking chores on their Vermont farm while her sister, Clare, gets to take exotic vacations with their wealthy aunt. It all started when Clare, who’s a year older than Sue, got sick. That was three years ago. Now, Clare is a chronic invalid too fragile to leave the house. One day Sue finds a diary in the attic, written by her father after he came home from the Civil War. After reading it, Sue suddenly falls ill. The sisters switch places as Sue becomes bedridden and Clare takes over her chores. That is, until the arsonist who’s been burning barns in their close-knit parish community strikes again—and this time, it’s the Gorham farm. Based on real-life incidents in the author’s hometown, Westminster West vividly recreates rural life during the 1800s as it tells a moving and intriguing story of family, community, and sibling rivalry. This ebook features a map and a historical afterword from the author.

A VOYA Poetry Pick: Award-winning author Jessie Haas takes readers on a ride back in time to celebrate the special bond between horses and humans “We have all been changed by the horse, for better and worse.” —Jessie Haas Jessie Haas travels back sixty-five million years—from 5000 BCE to the present day—in 104 poems about our equine friends. Horses have shared some of the most significant moments in human history. In these lyrical and poignant pieces—some written from the horse’s point of view—readers will meet chariot racers, knights’ steeds, horse whisperers, even Pegasus, the winged horse. In one moving poem, a compassionate colt befriends a lonely man; in another, a starving soldier shares a meal with his mount. Whether it’s the thundering herd of Genghis Khan or a Dutch farmer shielding his horse from the Nazis, these transportive free-verse poems reveal how horses have influenced and enriched our lives. Hoofprints is an awe-inspiring journey through history as we gallop alongside horse and rider and experience “the mid-air moment” when “everything may yet / turn out all right.” This ebook includes a bibliography and a glossary of equine terminology.

Named to the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award Master List: Sarah dreams of owning a horse, but caring for one comes with responsibilities Sarah Miles wants a horse more than anything. Now that she and her parents have moved from the city to a farm in Vermont, she’s closer than ever to getting her wish. She already has her eye on a half-Morgan gelding named Barney—she just has to work up the courage to ask Mom and Dad if she can take him while his owner is away at college. He can jump and drive and barrel race, and he and his owner, Missy, have won bushels of ribbons. Sarah’s thrilled when her parents say yes . . . on the condition that Sarah is fully accountable for his care. But Barney has his own way of doing things and doesn’t like to be disciplined. He snorts at Sarah. Ignores her instructions. Runs off. Yet in spite of everything, Barney’s starting to grow on Sarah. But when his owner returns, will she lose the horse she loves?

Set in Wyoming, Chico's Challenge follows a young buckskin quarter horse who is trade to Sierra, a teen who works her father's ranch and dreams of becoming a cutting horse champion. Chico seems to have the makings of a great cow horse, but...he has never seen a cow in his life! Can he and Sierra, both novices, learn to work together as a team?

The only thing twins Fran and Kiera have ever agreed on is thatit would be wonderful to own a pony -- a pony they could gallop and leap over jumps. One day their father brings them Jigsaw, a Shetland pony who needs a new family. Jigsaw is the perfect pony. He can do anything -- even fit himself into Dad's station wagon for the ride home. But with Jigsaw comes trouble. The more Fran and Kiera like something, the harder it is for them to share. And they love Jigsaw. Worse, Jigsaw won't gallop far and he won't leap more than a couple of jumps. Is something wrong with the way the twins ride? Or is something wrong with Jigsaw?

"Horse Crazy!" is a jam-packed treasure chest of a book that will keep horse-obsessed kids ages eight and up busy for hours on end. It offers practical information about horses, from anatomy and history to the details of training, grooming, and showing. It also has lots of great ideas for horse-related projects, such as writing horse stories and drawing or photographing horses. There are books to read, movies to see, unusual ways to have fun with a horse, tips on how to choose a horse camp, information on horse-loving careers, and much more.

Phin Chase was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Now he's witness to a murder, and he must run fast and far to escape the Sleepers—the secretive, powerful organization responsible for the crime. With only his own wits to rely on, Phin hops a train to flee his small town. But there's a mysterious man on his trail—a man with a horse that tracks like a bloodhound. He could be working for the Sleepers . . . or he could be working against them. But Phin can't risk finding out. Even if Phin manages to turn the tables on his pursuer, neither hunter nor quarry can imagine what will happen when they inevitably collide.

Come along for a spirited ride as Bramble — a horse with interesting "little ways" — and her devoted girl, Maggie, make their debut in this inviting early reader. Maggie wants a pony to ride and take care of, and to prepare she's been reading a big book on horse care. Meanwhile, Bramble is bored with giving riding lessons and walking in circles. She's looking for just the right person to take her away from her routine. Is it a perfect match? Maggie loves Bramble as soon as she sees her, but there are some things Bramble has to be sure of. Will Maggie let Bramble venture into new places? Will she protect Bramble from strange objects in the yard? Will she, most importantly, know when Bramble needs her undivided attention? This charming and funny early reader is an ideal match for young animal lovers and anyone who has ever longed for a friend who truly understands.

When Radish the pony grows too big for the girls who own him, he goes to live at a horse camp where there are always new children for him to train.

When Uncle Daney, a crippled logger, comes to live with the family, 12-year-old Cole expects someone big and tough. But Uncle Daney is a gentle, bright-eyed old man in a wheelchair. He does bring someone big, though, his draft horse Nip. The family can't afford a horse, but Uncle Daney is determined to keep Nip, and has his own way of getting things done. Cole soon finds himself learning to use a draft horse, and learning how to wait for opportunity, then seize it. "A finely crafted tale of human ingenuity in the face of hardship." (SLJ)

Upset that her New Mexico school can only afford music and art teachers in alternate years, fourth-grader Saige works with her grandmother, Mimi, to plan a fundraiser but when Mimi has an accident, Saige relies on new friend Gabi to help.

Painting in her grandmother's studio and riding her favorite horse, Georgia, helps fourth-grader Saige cope with missing Mimi and sparks an idea for funding the school art program, but more creativity will be needed to keep Georgia from being sold.

Molly and her sister hope that their horse Scamper's costume will win a blue ribbon in the horse show, but some unexpected rainfall changes the situation. Includes information on horse shows.

Westminster is the oldest town in Vermont, and its history is visible down every street. Vermont itself was born here, when the first blood of the American Revolution was shed during the Westminster Massacre and it separated from New York. Westminster declined in political importance during the nineteenth century, but its agricultural heritage bloomed as residents exported everything from beef to vegetables to Christmas wreaths. Despite its small size, Westminster also boasts unique neighborhoods with their own vibrant cultures, including Westminster Village, Gageville and Westminster West. From brilliant inventors and the co-founder of the Oneida Community to a Miss Vermont, an Oscar-winning actress and Vermont's eighty-first governor, the famous sons and daughters of Westminster have left their marks on the state and the nation. Celebrated local author Jessie Haas and the Westminster Historical Society showcase what makes Westminster such an amazing and quintessentially Vermont community.

The Battles of Lexington and Concord have long been considered the beginning of the American Revolution. However, Vermonters know that the first blood was actually shed in Westminster in March 1775. Over a month before Lexington and Concord, Westminster Whigs endured an attack from their own Loyalist sheriff and his men that left two dead. In response, the county rose in revolt in what became known as the Westminster Massacre. This bloody event set the stage for Vermont's separation from New York and its position as a mainstay of American independence throughout the entire war. Jessie Haas and the Westminster Historical Society vividly retell the story of the real first battle of the American Revolution and Windham County's important role throughout the war.

Moving through the alphabet, a girl ponders the many different kinds of horses she will have when she gets older, from Appaloosa to zebra.

Radish is a feisty pony--and the best teacher Judy has ever had. He teaches her how to ride, and how to go fast and far, and even how to fall off. But most of all, he teaches her to be patient. And when Judy outgrows him, he teaches Nina all the same things, and most of all, how to be brave. But girls grow, and ponies stay the same size. What will Radish do with no one to bully--and to teach? It takes his running away for Judy and Nina to find the perfect solution, one that keeps Radish from being outgrown ever again!

A young girl helps her grandparents get the hay in before a rainstorm ruins the crop.

Spending the summer with her strong-willed politician grandmother, fourteen-year-old Mad achieves breakthroughs in both her horseback riding and her Scottish dancing and begins to develop the self-confidence she has always lacked.