Tough Trails. (Orca Soundings). Irene Morck. Victoria, BC: Orca, 2003. 96 pp., pbk., $9.95. ISBN 1-55143-271-4. Subject Heading: Horses-Juvenile fiction. Grades 7-11 / Ages 12-16. Review by Deanna Einarson. *** /4 Reviewed from Advance Reading Copy.

excerpt:

When it was Blackie’s turn to be chased into the ring, I could hardly look up. The meat buyers bid eagerly against each other. They got the price to $910.

The ring man cracked his whip. It felt as though that whip was cutting straight through me. I kept my head down so I didn’t have to see my Blackie limp out towards the meat buyer’s corral.

In Tough Trails, 17-year old Ambrose Metford has to face one of the hardest things he has ever had to do. His beloved horse, Blackie, is injured, and Ambrose is forced to sell him, knowing that the horse is only good for meat. While attending the auction to sell Blackie, Ambrose also has the responsibility of replacing Blackie with a new pack horse for his Uncle Mac and Aunt Madge’s trail riding business. Broken hearted from being forced to sell Blackie, Ambrose makes a less than wise decision in his replacement. Ambrose purchases 25-year old Society Girl from an elderly woman, Mrs. Longhurst, who is equally upset about being separated from her horse. Upset with himself for his soft hearted decision, Ambrose returns to camp leery of the welcome he and Society Girl will receive. Although Uncle Mac and Aunt Madge respond relatively favourably, Janice, a 17-year old trail guide hired by Mac, is disgusted with Ambrose’s poor choice. However, soon Society Girl would have a chance to prove what kind of horse she is, and even Janice is impressed. During a week long excursion led by Janice and Ambrose, mischievous 10-year old Ryan wanders off on Society Girl. By the time that Ryan’s dad, Mr. Friesen, Ambrose, and Janice noticed the boy is missing, a storm was approaching. During the violent hailstorm that ensues, Society Girl acts calmly and sensibly, saving both herself and Ryan from a very dangerous situation. Tough Trails is a novel set in the wilderness of Alberta and provides readers with a true sense of escape and adventure. Sure to appeal to animal lovers and adventure lovers alike, it presents colourful characters and a unique plot.

Recommended.

Deanna Einarson is a teacher at Springfield Collegiate Institute in Oakbank, MB.

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Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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