A novel of history and adventure
set at a violent time in England

Twelve-year-old Will Belet was not thrilled to be called "Little Rabbit." It hardly seemed a fitting name for a boy who intended to become a fighting knight. The year was 1140, seventy-four years after the Norman duke, William the Conqueror, had invaded England in 1066. Will was growing up in an England torn apart by competing claims to the throne. Stephen of Blois was the reigning king of England. Many considered that Steven had stolen the throne from the Empress Matilda, who had been named by her father, King Henry, to be the ruler of England after he died. Empress Matilda, had a son, also named Henry, currently living in France, who was blood heir to the throne. Young Will Belet, second son of a minor nobleman, had to make his way in this time of warring factions.

The reason Will was called "Little Rabbit" was because, after earlier years of illness, he seemed unusually small for his age. He hoped to gain in height and weight, but for the time being, he had to make up for his small size by being faster and trying harder at everything that an aspiring knight was expected to do. His older brother, John, who would inherit their father's manor, Brindley Heath in Surrey, with its surrounding land, had left home some years before to prepare for knighthood. Will, only now after recovering from his long illness, was being sent to serve as a page to his rich and powerful uncle, Earl Aubrey de Vere. Will knew that, even though Will's mother was Aubrey de Vere's sister, his uncle was envious of his brother-in-law, Sir John Belet. Sir John, Will's father, had a claim to his title and lands that extended will back into Saxon times, unlike De Vere, who had only fairly recently gained his lands and title through the King's favor. It seems that Will was going to a place where he had to be on guard, since his new lord was not going to be especially friendly or helpful.

It is in this atmosphere of distrust and lurking danger that Will is to experience the adventures that make up the content of the novel. Will wants to develop his fighting skills and earn honor and recognition in battle while serving his rightful king or queen. Just who that ruler will be remains unclear, just as it is uncertain as to whether young Will can even survive long enough to become a knight. For a young reader interested in English history and in reading about the life of an ambitious youth in those turbulent times, "The Winter Hare" is a book to enjoy.

Gossiping or passing on rumors
can stir up a lot of unexpected trouble

Jennie McAfee is in sixth grade. Her best friend from grade school, Addie Wilson, has become one of the "pops" in middle school. "Pops" are what the regular kids call the "popular" girls' clique. These are the girls who always band together to make fun of the other kids - their hair, their clothes, how they talk, etc. Of course, the pops think they are better than everybody else in school. Strangely, though, most of the regular girls envy the pops and just wish they could be one of them!

Joyce Kilmer Middle School had its own student newspaper. Early in the new school year, the paper added a gossip column. The column author called herself "Madame X," and each issue she wrote a different rumor that she claimed was circulating in the school. No names were used, so once a rumor was started, everybody speculated as to who the person was that the rumor was about. The biggest mystery of all was who could be Madame X. Because the rumors she printed were hurtful to so many people, many of the kids hated Madame X, whoever she was. Still they read her column. Although it was likely that Madame X was one of the pops, it soon reached the point where even the pops weren't speaking to one another.

If you like to read about middle schoolers' problems, you should enjoy this little book. You will recognize the characters as being just like some of the kids in your school. The paperback has quizzes and advice for kids in the middle school age range, especially girls. It is just one of a series of books by the author, Nancy Krulik. There is also an accompanying website called middleschoolsurvival.com.

Horseback riding requires training and practice
for both rider and horse

"Horse Crazy" by Bonnie Bryant is set at the Pine Hollow Stables. The big event for the kids taking riding lessons there was the Mountain Trail Overnight. For the kids to go on that camping and trail riding overnight trip they had to have the money for the fees and be able to demonstrate they could handle a horse well enough to be safe on the mountain trail. Earning the fee was Stephanie (Stevie) Lake's big problem. She could ride well enough, but she had trouble saving her money. Also her parents weren't happy with her school grades and they threatened not to pay for the trip unless she raised her grades, especially in math class. Stevie had a math project on decimals and percentages due in two weeks, but she also had to earn some money in case she didn't make a good grade on the project.

Carole Hanson was one of Stevie's friends. She loved horseback riding and volunteered to work at the stables when she could, just to be around the horses. At one of the riding lessons, a new girl showed up. It was Lisa Atwood who was a year ahead of Stevie and Carole at the middle school. Lisa was a straight A student. She was overdressed in an expensive riding habit, which her high-toned mother forced her to wear, when she arrived at the stables. It didn't take long for Stevie and Carole to observe that Lisa might be smart and rich, but she didn't know much about horses. It was an open question as to whether she had the patience to learn to ride and to become friends with the other girls.

So that lays out the plot for the story. Can Stevie earn the money one way or another to go on the mountain trail overnight? Can Carole keep Stevie focused on accomplishing her goal? And will Lisa learn to ride well enough and fit in with the other girls, so that she, too, can go on the trail ride? While reading for these answers, a young reader will learn a lot about caring for horses and learning to ride. If you like this one, be aware that it's just one of several titles in a series called "The Saddle Club."