Starlight Shines for Miranda

Janet Muirhead Hill
Raven Publishing (2004)
ISBN 097141615X
Reviewed by April Sullivan for Reader Views (5/06)

“Starlight Shines for Miranda” is the fifth in a series of six books called the Starlight Series. The series is about a girl Miranda Stevens and her horse Starlight. This touching book portrays the loving bond between girl and horse.

Miranda is twelve years old and readers of the series learn about her and her friends as they have been through fun times and tough times in a small Montana town. Miranda has a loving family and friends, but it is her horse that she loves the best. When Mr. Taylor, half-owner of Starlight, takes him to a race in Texas, Miranda is heartbroken to be away from Starlight for so long.

As we find out, Starlight has formed an unbreakable bond with Miranda and he refuses to eat or race without Miranda around. She flies to Texas to be with him on Christmas and he not only perks up, but wins a bet with Miranda riding him that helps Mr. Taylor out of some financial trouble.

Mr. Taylor, who has been portrayed throughout the series as a grouchy old man, shows his sensitive side in this book as we learn about his childhood and his estrangement from his parents. He teaches Miranda a lesson about love and family and shows her that he was once a kid himself.

This book is for any girl who has fallen in love with a horse. Janet Muirhead Hill knows her horses and the lingo needed to write accurately about horses and their care. Her books teach young riders and readers about the safety precautions and proper handling of a horse in a fun way through a great story.

And for those who want more than just horses, there is plenty of adventure to keep a reader enthralled. Races, fires, near kidnappings, and more make this book a page-turner.

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