By Terence Blacker (author)
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June 2016 Book of the Month - In a Nutshell: Awe-inspiring • Odds-defying • Dream-chasing • Horse-racing
Exhilarating equine epic about following your dreams and overcoming obstacles, set in the ruthless world of horse racing.
Jay is an outsider. Since her mum died (her dad vanished before she was born), she’s lived with her dodgy Uncle Bill, aloof step-aunt and cousin Michaela. Life may not have dealt Jay the best cards – the odds are stacked against her - but she has a “dangerous, unstoppable” fire in her belly.
When in the saddle, she's no longer “the kid in the shadows that nobody notices”, and she’s determined to fulfill her mum’s dying wish that she stays true to her dreams.
Jay’s pluck and potential become clear when she wins the first “unofficial” horse race Uncle Bill enters her in. More illegal races follow until Jay runs away to Newmarket, the home of racing, after being insulted by the cousin she was once close to. Here she wheedles her way into working as a stable lad and bonds with a mare called Manhattan.
Dismissed as a “jinx” and a “freak”, the mare is due to be put down, and so Jay determines to save the horse, and to make it a winner.
Throughout, Jay experiences firsthand how tough it still is to be female in the male-dominated domain of racing, but she won’t give up. With its inspirational message, and a plot that unfurls at a galloping pace, you'll be rooting for Jay the whole way though, with your heart pounding as you will her to triumph over every setback. ~ Joanne Owen
Jay Barton has spent her life on the outside, being overlooked and mocked for her tomboy ways. All she wants to do is ride her favourite pony, which belongs to her much wealthier cousin. But then Jay shows a talent for winning the illegal pony races her uncle takes her to, and he starts to push her to take more and more risks.
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At 15, Jay decides to run away, to live the life of a stable hand. Her fortunes are changed when she meets Manhattan: a pedigree grey racehorse who has used up all her chances and is now neglected and despised. Jay recognises a fellow misfit.
She fights to give Manhattan one last opportunity to show she is the champion she was born to be. Together, they face a world of prejudice and cruelty and fight back the only way they know - by becoming the best.
'A contemporary National Velvet, for fans of Lauren St John.' -- Fiona Noble The Bookseller
Terence Blacker grew up around horses and was a jockey in his youth. He then worked in publishing before becoming a full-time writer. He has written numerous books for adults, teens and young readers. He also writes for national newspapers, and is a regular broadcaster and performing musician. He lives in Norfolk.
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Jay Barton has spent her life on the outside, being overlooked and mocked for her tomboy ways. All she wants to do is ride her favourite pony, which belongs to her much wealthier cousin.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Racing Manhattan and determined it is suitable for children aged 13-14 years old
Racing Manhattan features in the following genres: Books of the Month, Recommendations, Animal Stories, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Sporting Stories, Stories about Family and Friends, PSHE: Family Issues, Personal Social Health Economic (PSHE), Recommended Children's eBooks, Featured Books for 13+ readers
Paperback. Not Available.
Racing Manhattan was written by Terence Blacker and published by Andersen Press Ltd
Racing Manhattan has 341 pages
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