Riding Lessons
3 primary works
Book 1
Meet Ellen: a spirited - and occasionally misbehaving - young horseback-riding
student. In the spring of fourth grade, Ellen's life
feels like a balancing act: she is only allowed to go to riding
lessons when she behaves at school and at home. But it's much
harder than it sounds! Ellen has a knack for speaking out of turn
in class, and with a new sibling on the way, she can't resist taking
advantage of her parents' distraction.
Then, on one perfect day - when Ellen has minded her manners - she
sees Ned for the first time. Ned is a beautiful colt who used
to be a racehorse, until he hurt his leg. They seem to understand
each other immediately, and all Ellen wants to do is spend more
time with her new friend.
But will she be able to keep up her best behaviour at school? And
will her parents ever let her have a horse of her own?
student. In the spring of fourth grade, Ellen's life
feels like a balancing act: she is only allowed to go to riding
lessons when she behaves at school and at home. But it's much
harder than it sounds! Ellen has a knack for speaking out of turn
in class, and with a new sibling on the way, she can't resist taking
advantage of her parents' distraction.
Then, on one perfect day - when Ellen has minded her manners - she
sees Ned for the first time. Ned is a beautiful colt who used
to be a racehorse, until he hurt his leg. They seem to understand
each other immediately, and all Ellen wants to do is spend more
time with her new friend.
But will she be able to keep up her best behaviour at school? And
will her parents ever let her have a horse of her own?
Book 2
Meet Ellen: a spirited - and occasionally misbehaving - young horseback-riding
student. In the spring of fourth grade, Ellen's life
feels like a balancing act: she is only allowed to go to riding
lessons when she behaves at school and at home. But it's much
harder than it sounds! Ellen has a knack for speaking out of turn
in class, and with a new sibling on the way, she can't resist taking
advantage of her parents' distraction.
Then, on one perfect day - when Ellen has minded her manners - she
sees Ned for the first time. Ned is a beautiful colt who used
to be a racehorse, until he hurt his leg. They seem to understand
each other immediately, and all Ellen wants to do is spend more
time with her new friend.
But will she be able to keep up her best behaviour at school? And
will her parents ever let her have a horse of her own?
student. In the spring of fourth grade, Ellen's life
feels like a balancing act: she is only allowed to go to riding
lessons when she behaves at school and at home. But it's much
harder than it sounds! Ellen has a knack for speaking out of turn
in class, and with a new sibling on the way, she can't resist taking
advantage of her parents' distraction.
Then, on one perfect day - when Ellen has minded her manners - she
sees Ned for the first time. Ned is a beautiful colt who used
to be a racehorse, until he hurt his leg. They seem to understand
each other immediately, and all Ellen wants to do is spend more
time with her new friend.
But will she be able to keep up her best behaviour at school? And
will her parents ever let her have a horse of her own?
Book 3
Perfect for anyone who loves horses and riding, from
award-winning author Jane Smiley.
Ellen's family has moved to a new town...but
some things, like her love for horses, remain
the same. Ellen is now the proud owner of her own horse, Tater.
She's learning new skills and challenging
herself as a rider...but she still can't stop thinking about
Ned, the feisty former racehorse she sees on the ranch during
her lessons.
In the meantime, Ellen's making new friends and
encountering old ones. Most exciting of all is
Da, a boy from a riding family who is possessed of a spirit
of mischief and daring and knows his own mind.
Ellen still has a lot
to learn...about horses, friendship,
and herself. And will she ever
be able to get Ned off her mind?