Take the Reins

Take the Reins follows thirteen-year-old Sasha Silver as she begins her first year at the prestigious Canterwood Crest Academy. As a new student and competitive rider, she must navigate both the social pressures of an elite boarding school and the challenges of training with the academy's advanced equestrian team. The story centers on Sasha's efforts to prove herself worthy of a spot on Canterwood's riding team while dealing with intense rivalries and friendship dynamics. Her relationships with fellow students, instructors, and her horse Charm form the backbone of her journey at the academy. Beyond the competitive riding elements, this middle-grade novel explores themes of perseverance, self-discovery, and finding one's place in a new environment. The boarding school setting provides a backdrop for examining how young people handle pressure, friendship, and the pursuit of their dreams.

Readers describe Take the Reins as a light, quick read ideal for middle-grade horse lovers. Many reviewers note it captures authentic details about competitive riding and boarding school life. Readers liked: - Accurate portrayal of equestrian terminology and stable dynamics - Relatable middle school friendship and rivalry themes - Age-appropriate romance elements - Fast-paced plot that keeps younger readers engaged Readers disliked: - Predictable storyline following familiar boarding school tropes - Some found the main character's attitude and behavior frustrating - Resolution felt rushed to some readers - Limited character development beyond the protagonist Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (3,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (120+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.3/5 (40+ ratings) "Perfect for horse-crazy tweens" appears frequently in reviews. Multiple readers compared it favorably to The Saddle Club series, though noted this has more focus on the boarding school social dynamics.

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🐎 Take the Reins was Jessica Burkhart's debut novel, written when she was just 20 years old. 🎠 The author drew inspiration from her own experience as an equestrian before a neck condition forced her to stop riding at age 13. 🌟 The book launched the successful "Canterwood Crest" series, which eventually grew to 20 books following the adventures of young riders. 📚 The story's boarding school setting, Canterwood Crest Academy, was partially inspired by real-life prestigious equestrian schools like Tallulah Falls School in Georgia. 🏆 The series helped popularize the middle-grade equestrian fiction genre and paved the way for similar horse-focused series targeting young teens.