Annie, The Mysterious Morgan Horse
by Ellen F. Feld; Illustrations by Jeanne Mellin
Published by Willow Bend Publishing
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Reviewed by Diane Snyder
Annie began her life as a registered Morgan horse named Hidden Pond Polly. Her owner had placed her with an abusive and insensitive trainer whose methods changed Polly into a nervous and sometimes difficult horse.
When the old barn caught fire, Polly bolted and ran for her life. For the next several years Polly went from owner to owner, a changing names as she went. Where she had come from originally was now a mystery. Known as Annie by her last several owners, she was given to Chauncy Campbell, the owner of Gallant Morgan Horse Farm. In order to breed her and sell her offspring, Chauncy would need to find Annie’s registration papers or he could not to afford to keep her.
Annie’s future is made more uncertain when Heather Richardson, a sixteen year old who has come to love Annie, finds out Annie’s real name and origin. Heather finds herself torn between protecting Annie from being returned to the unkind trainer and being truthful with her friends.
This is a great story for young readers ages nine and up. Ellen Feld’s knowledge of horses–their care, breeding and showing–is very evident and lends credibility to the plot. The engaging drawings by Jeanne Mellin add clarity and interest.
Annie, the Mysterious Morgan Horse is the sixth in the popular series about horses. Two previous books have won awards and Annie has already received a bronze medal in the “Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards.”
Armchair Interviews says: Great book for children and middle readers who love horses, and those who just love stories about any animal.