Janie’s New Legs
by Diana Tuorto
Published by BookSurge Publishing(to come)
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Reviewed by Jamie Driggers
The first seven years of Silver’s life left much to be desired. He wasn’t treated well and he certainly wasn’t given much reason to trust. But his arrival at Mrs. Johnson’s farm was the beginning of a whole new life for Silver–one full of laughter and love.
Told from the perspective of the rescued pony, Silver Lining, Janie’s New Legs follows the relationship between a horse and his rider. Janie has lost the use of her legs due to an accident, but she is sure that riding Silver will strengthen them enough that she will walk again some day. Both a little battered and bruised by their past, Silver and Janie are made for each other.
In this sweet little story, we join the pair as they grow up together. They take walks, are frightened by mean boys, learn about the loss of friends, race, grow apart and back together again. Silver must learn to adapt as Janie ages and as his friends in the stable do also. But he also learns that his friendship with Janie, though changing, will always be special.
Janie’s New Legs is cleanly written and will probably be treasured by the horse-loving ten-year-olds it seems to be geared for. I just found it lacking in that certain something that makes a book live on well after the last page is read. There was nothing that compelled me to keep reading once I hit the end of a chapter. It is very nearly a compilation of many short stories with the same characters. So, though I have no real complaint against it I won’t be rushing to pick it up again.
Armchair Interviews says: Story for young horse lovers.
Author’s Web site: http://www.cayuse.8k.com