In the sequel to Keeping Barney, Sarah's finally going to get her own horse, but there are too many to choose from - and she wants one just like Barney. With his broad chest, round rump, and short legs, Barney looks more like a Shetland pony than a big half-Morgan. And his coat is as woolly as a bear's. But thirteen-year-old Sarah loves him to pieces. Caring for him while his owner, Missy, was away at college took work, but eventually, she and the gelding bonded. Now Sarah's folks have promised her a horse of her very own. But Sarah's dad is writing his second novel, her mom is busy tutoring, and Sarah's best friend, Jill, is stuck babysitting. Facing a long, boring summer, Sarah is thrilled when Missy volunteers to help her look for her dream horse. Sarah wants a Morgan just like Barney. Eventually, she narrows it down to two: powerful, spirited Roy or lovable old Thunder, who's bound for the auction block if nobody buys him. Which one should she choose?
"Realistic characters and plenty of equestrian scenes (a show, cross-country jumping, and endurance ride) raise this story above the usual girl-gets-horse title."
School Library Journal
"Skillfully, Haas limns a large cast of horses and people while focusing on Sarah's quest... Haas lets Sarah balance heart, mind, and her own good sense in admirable fashion before engineering a wholly satisfying (if not unexpected) conclusion."
