Books with author Alison Hart

The year is 1864, and a young Kentucky slave dares to pursue his dream of becoming a jockey.Twelve-year-old Gabriel loves to help his father―one of the best horse trainers in Kentucky―care for the thoroughbred racehorses on Master Giles’s farm. But the violence of war disrupts the familiar routine of daily life on the farm. When Gabriel’s father enlists in a Colored Battalion, Gabriel is both proud and worried. But the absence of his father brings the arrival of Mr. Newcastle, a white horse trainer with harsh, cruel methods for handling horses and people.Now it is up to Gabriel to protect the horses he loves from Mr. Newcastle and keep them safely out of the clutches of Confederate raiders.Alison Hart mines the complex relationships of the Civil War in this gripping work of historical fiction. Young readers will experience the danger and drama of a time when war split the country and human beings were segregated into owner and owned based on the color of their skin. Background historical material and photos are included.

It all started with one mysterious briefcase....When Allie's father dies, her half sister, Kat, is left in charge of his detective agency -- and of Allie. Despite the many changes in her life, Allie can't help being excited by the possibility of being close to some real private-eye adventures, the kind she is always daydreaming about. So when a man comes to the agency asking Kat to guard his briefcase, it looks like Allie will get her chance to investigate. But when Allie breaks into the briefcase, she makes a shocking discovery. And when she begins asking around, she realizes she may have taken on more than she bargained for. Whoever wants the briefcase kept safe desperately needs the agency's help, and whoever wants them uncovered will do anything to find them....

“These last few months have been an incredible journey for you, Gabriel. You’ve been a slave, a son, a jockey, a soldier and a savior. But your journey isn’t over.”Twelve-year-old Gabriel is too young to join his father’s regiment, the fifth U.S. Colored Calvary of the Union Army, as a soldier, but finds a job as personal groom to Champion, the unruly horse that belongs to Colonel Waite, the white commander.When the Calvary receives orders to join white regiments in an attack on the Virginia salt works, Gabriel gets a hold of a horse and a uniform and joins the troops. When his father and Colonel Waite are not among the weary and wounded who return from battle, Gabriel mounts Champion and rides to the battlefield in search of them.In the final book of the Racing to Freedom trilogy, Alison Hart continues to explore the complex relationships of the Civil War. The result is a gripping story that vividly brings to life the danger and drama of a time when war and issues of race and freedom divided the country. Background historical material, photos, and suggestions for further reading are included.

Here is the much-begged-for sequel to Shadow Horse. With a feisty female protagonist, a little romance, a lot of mystery, and a barnful of animals just waiting to be loved, this young adult horse mystery novel will have young girls galloping to the bookstore to grab their copy.When thirteen-year-old Jas Schuler found her beloved mare Whirlwind dead in her padlock, she thought her heart would break. But now Jas knows the truth: Whirlwind is alive! Wealthy horse breeder Hugh Robicheaux faked the mare's death, collected insurance money, then sold her to an unsuspecting buyer. And he's going to get away with his crime, too—unless someone can find Whirlwind. And that's exactly what Jas plans to do.But hunting for Whirlwind is dangerous. Hugh has threatened to destroy everything Jas holds dear unless she stops her search. As she struggles with her desire to find Whirlwind without endangering the people she loves, Jas must ask herself: Should she risk so much for a horse she may never find? This heartfelt YA novel by a highly regarded equestrian author will have young readers chomping at the bit for more.From the Paperback edition.

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