Sweet, Tart

"This tender and heartfelt book will resonate with middle graders. Halle’s problems—making new friends, dealing with a sibling, negotiating with parents—are relatable and timeless. . . . A warmhearted tale about growing up and the animals we love on the way." —School Library Journal

After witnessing the tragic death of a racehorse, eleven-year-old Halle finds herself caring for the horse’s best friend, a grieving pony named Rocky. A heart-tugging story of patience, love, and hope.

Halle thinks starting sixth grade in a brand-new school might help her forget about what happened at the racetrack. But she’s wrong. She can’t sleep at night because when she closes her eyes, she sees the last moments of Carver D’esprit, a horse who died the day Halle went to watch the races with her family. When Halle learns Carver came from nearby Oak Creek Stables, she is compelled to go there and learn more about him. The owner introduces her to Carver’s best friend, a pony named Rocky. Rocky is standoffish at first, but as Halle cares for him, they both begin to open up. When Halle finds out that Oak Creek Stables is suddenly on the verge of being sold to a housing developer, she feels everything slipping out from under her—what will happen to the horses, to Rocky, and to the memory of Carver D’esprit? This heartfelt story of loss and light follows Halle as she experiences the interconnectedness of endings and beginnings and learns that love still multiplies, even during grief.