Mom's Choice Gold Recipient
Juvenile Level 2 (Ages 9 to 12) Books - Fiction
ISBN:9781934486320 (5.5x8.5); 136 pages; chapter illustrations.
Dink wants a horse, and not just any horse; he wants a “cowboy's horse”. So, how does he get stuck with a broken-down retired circus horse?
Poor Dink. The day has finally come for him to pick out the horse he as been saving up his money to buy. He has his heart set on a “real” horse, a “cowboy’s horse”, one that must be a boy. He searches the Rocking J Ranch, where Mr. Jackson sells horses, until he finds the “perfect” horse. It’s a six-year-old sorrel gelding named Socks. But, while he’s waiting for his father and Mr. Jackson to round up the horse so he can ride it, old Goldie, a broken-down retired circus horse “chooses” him.
He has four sisters and is tired of having too many girls in his life - - all previous pets have also been girls. He wants a horse, a boy, but ends up buying the old mare because his sisters fall in love with it, and deep down, he knows it’s the right thing to do. But, that doesn’t mean he’s happy with his choice.
The story is a good one, but it left me with one unanswered question: Why is the lead character named Dink? That is never explained. His sisters all have “normal” names, like Ruby, Josie, Leigh and Ann; so, why is he named Dink?
Anyway, "Who Needs Girls?" is a great story with lessons about making the right choices and being happy with who you are and what you have. 5 stars.
Date Added: 11/07/2008 by Christine Irvin
Look for the story behind Dink's name in Jolene's second book coming soon!
