Horse Called Wonder (Thoroughbred Series #1) [Mass Market Paperback]

Joanna Campbell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1992

Still grieving over the loss of her favorite mare when her family's breeding farm was hit by a deadly disease, Ashleigh vows she will never give her heart to another horse--until she meets a small, sickly foal.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Joanna Campbell appears here with her six-year-old Thoroughbred, Meyersville Magic, known around the barn as CC. He's a son of Horatius out of Northwich by Timothy's Champ and is owned by Cathy Day. Formerly trained for racing, he is now being trained for eventing. Last Year he was the Maine Entry Level Champion in Combined Training. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 201 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (November 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061067245
• ISBN-13: 978-0061067242
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (152 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,010,626 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughbred: A Horse Called Wonder #1 By Joanna Campbell, October 14, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: Thoroughbred #01 A Horse Called Wonder (Paperback)

I first read this book when I was only a twelve year horse-crazy girl. I am now in eleventh grade and still readin every Thoroughbred book that comes out. A Horse called Wonder deals with the pain of an eleven year old girl's loss of her beloved breeding farm her parents' lost due to a virus that wiped them out. Upon her parent's losing the farm, they get new jobs as breeding managers at one of the most prestigous farms in Kentucky, Townsend Acres. Now, all of a sudden Ashleigh is back around horses, but, they're not horses she owns and she vows never to get close to a horse again. But then, she meets Wonder's mother, an older horse who is on her last pregnancy. Wonder's mother reminds Ashleigh of her horse at her old farm that was also sold with the farm, and, much to her disliking she forms a bond with this new horse. When it is time for the horse to deliver, the foal, a girl is born tiny and has many difficulties. The vet recommands putting the filly down, but Ashleigh won't allow it. She names the horse, wWonder and decides to take almost constant care of her.The horse surives and the vet doesn't put Wonder down. Due to Ashleigh's perserverence and strength, Wonder now has a chance at life too

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful beginning to the story of Ashleigh and Wonder, March 24, 2003

By 

A Customer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Thoroughbred #01 A Horse Called Wonder (Paperback)

A Horse Called Wonder is the first book in the Thoroughbred series, created by Joanna Campbell wrote herself. As of spring 2003, the series has grown to 57 titles, 4 super editions, three reissues, and a spin-off Ashleigh series, which makes the original 14 books and 2 super editions even more precious. Most loyal readers agree that Joanna Campbell, as the original author and creater, was the best. She created real situations with flawed but likable characters.

From the very beginning Ashleigh is both stubborn and determined, but also painfully loving. It isn't much of a surprise that she's afraid to love any horse ever again - she's 12 when this series begins, which means that she's had to face a lot of death very early in life. Later books tend to forget what a strong bond Ashleigh and Wonder had - simply because of Ashleigh's initial resistance to getting close to a horse.

Ashleigh also makes us laugh - her complete disinterest in her appearance, which becomes a stronger theme as she gets older, and her absolute hatred of math, which many people will sympathize with. No one ever blames her for wanting to spend all her time with Wonder, instead of doing boring math problems at her desk.

Ashleigh fights hard to save Wonder - first from influenza, then from being sold because she's too small and weak. The love between them is so strong and so well-written. And yet we are also reminded, many times, that this is NOT Ashleigh's farm and NOT Ashleigh's horse, which makes it very scary when it looks like Wonder might be sold.

As with all good books, the story doesn't end here - there are still fears. What if Wonder doesn't train well? What if she doesn't race well? Okay, so Townsend decided to keep her at the farm for another year - but what if ...? These are all elements of a good series.

A Horse Called Wonder also introduces, right away, the arrogant, obnoxious Brad Townsend, son of the farm owner. Brad is a consistently well-drawn character - not really mean enough to be a villain, but a definite Obstacle in Ashleigh's path. Brad is one of the best elements of Campbell's writing. She doesn't wimp out of his dark sides like later authors do.

Joanna Campbell wrote Thoroughbred books #1-14, the super editiongs Ashleigh's Christmas Miracle and Ashleigh's Diary, and the first three books of the Ashleigh series: Lightning's Last Hope, A Horse for Christmas, and Waiting for Stardust. She also wrote Battlecry Forever! and Star of Shadowbrook Farm, which were released as part of the "Ashleigh's Book Collection" series. If you plan to read Thoroughbred I recommend you start with #1 and go up, because the original 14 books really were the best.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I luv this book!, July 6, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Thoroughbred #01 A Horse Called Wonder (Paperback)

This is the greatist book ever! Its about Ashliegh Griffen and how she and her family lost their farm and had to move to Townsed Acres. At first Ashliegh hates it and misses Edgardale her old farm, but thats before Wonder is born. The young filly is very small and gets sick but Ashliegh fights for her will she lose her like Black Night the colt at Edgardale? thats what i was afraid of. Read this WONDER-ful bok and find out!