Lauraine Snelling is an award winning author of over 30 books, both fiction and non fiction for adults and young adults. She has two horse series for young teen girls, the GOLDEN FILLY SERIES which is completed and HIGH HURDLES. Lauraine is also the author of the popular RED RIVER OF THE NORTH series set in North Dakota in the past part of the 19th century. The Bjorklund brothers bring their families from Norway to begin a new life on the land they will turn from prairie to fertile farms.
Besides writing both books and articles, Lauraine teaches at writer's conferences across the country and has an active speaking career. She and husband Wayne have two grown sons, four grand dogs and live in the country where Lauraine can garden, sew, do crafts, cross stitch, enjoy her birds and eventually have a horse again.
size : 5.2 x 8
Grade 6 Up-Trish's life does not lack excitement-just believability. Pursued by a stalker whom she has nicknamed "The Jerk," this high school senior and professional jockey manages to win a few races, go to the prom with the star quarterback, save herself from the stalker, and graduate. Although the story begins with a near-fatal attempt on her life, landing her in the hospital, any suspense or tension created by this incident is not sustained. The book skips from one end of the country to the other. So many characters and horses drift in and out of the pages that it's difficult to become intrigued by any of them. The settings-whether the track, the hospital, or any other place-never take root. Trish's monologues with God are also unconvincing and awkward. With its choppy, predictable plot and superficial characters, this mystery really misses the winner's circle.
Carol Schene, Taunton Public Schools, MA
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