Lara and the Gray Mare (Hoofbeats, Book 1) [Paperback]

Kathleen Duey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 13, 2005 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: Hoofbeats

Nine-year-old Lara is the daughter of the r’-the leader of her cattle-raising clan. While she spends her days tending to the cattle, her heart lies with her beloved gray mare. When Lara goes to the highlands to set the cattle out to graze, she finds the mare in the process of a difficult birth. Lara vows to take care of the foal as a dying promise to the gray mare, and with the help of a childless milk-cow, she cares for the spindly-legged filly. But just when she is confident that the foal can survive, a rival clan captures them both, and throws Lara's life into turmoil. When the filly is eventually given to a titled baron in the castle town of Athenry, Lara, determined to stay with the horse no matter what, goes along. Together, she and her beloved horse face seemingly insurmountable challenges, but all along Lara keeps two things in mind. One day, she will manage to flee, and will set off in search of the family that she was taken from. And she will not leave without her silver mare.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Gr. 4-6. The first of a new quartet of titles in the umbrella Hoofbeats series, which began in 2004 with a four books about a girl named Katie, this engaging story transports readers to medieval Ireland. Nine-year-old Lara lays a solid foundation by detailing the endless work, seasonal changes, and constant threat of interclan raids that define her life before the book's signal event launches the quartet's main story. "Girl meets horse" does not begin to encompass Lara's devotion to the foal that she delivers just before its mother dies or the foal's dependence on her as its substitute mother. Fiercely determined to protect the filly, Lara takes an unexpected path that leads her away from home and directly into Book Two, Laura and the Moon-Colored Filly, published this month. Writing with a keen appreciation for everyday goings-on in thirteenth-century Ireland and an unusual ability to bring the past to life, Duey creates a convincing setting, a thoroughly likable heroine, and a strong narrative. Though the books can be read individually (Lara at Athenry Castle and Lara at the Silent Place will be published in March and April, respectively), they are less like sequential novels than like one grand story divided into four parts. Excellent fare for historical fiction fans and, of course, for girls devoted to horse stories. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Kathleen Duey is the author of numerous books for young readers --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (January 13, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0142402303
• ISBN-13: 978-0142402306
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #978,005 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I have published over 80 books for children of all ages and YA/Adult readers. Many have won state and national awards and all of them have brought me the kind of fan mail that writers love to get.

Two from today's email (Jan 27 11)
Dear Ms. Duey,

I am 8 years old and I live in Catalonia (Spain). I just finished reading your book "Moonsilver" with my mom, and I really liked it. I want to ask you, what was your dream in 3rd grade? I'm asking you because at the end of the book, it says that the series of the Unicorn's Secret books is based on a dream you had in 3rd grade. I am in third grade right now, so I'm really curious!!!
Please tell me

(writer's name)



Dear Ms. Duey,

I loved your book the Unicorn's Secret. Me and my mom read it together. I like your books because I like unicorns and your story was very exciting. I like to draw unicorns. They are one of my favorite animals. I have two stuffed animal unicorns. One is named Sparkle. I sleep with her every night. Did you always want to be a writer? Have you ever seen a real unicorn? I am in 1st grade. I love to read. When I grow up I want to be a animal trainer and I want to train unicorns if I can find one.

LOVE , (writer's name)


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YA readers are writing a lot, too. Most say something like this one:

I have been waiting for the third book in Skin Hunger trilogy forever. Ok not forever but it feels like it. When is it coming out? How long will you make me wait? I love these books and am really needing to know what happens to Sadima and Hahp!!!!!


I know, me, too. Please read below.
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If it is later than 6:30am PST, I am probably writing, even if I am on an airplane. I might be working on a faerie book or writing about unicorns for grade school kids, or I could be lost in something dark, detailed, and strange for YA/adult readers. The third book in the Resurrection of Magic Trilogy is dragging me through the woods. I am working on it every day, and am Skying instead of traveling to schools and libraries until I get it DONE. It's taking wild amazing turns and I love it.

If I am not working...I might be answering readers who contact me through my website: http://www.kathleenduey.com Thanks to everyone who gets in touch with me on Facebook, my blog, http://kathleenduey.blogspot.com/, Twitter, and all the other ways to reach me. I can't keep up anymore, but I try to answer questions and I send out signed bookplates when I can. It means so much to know that you like my books.

I appear at schools, bookstores, and teach at writers' conferences nationwide and internationally. There is a schedule on my website and I try to keep it current.
And more and more... I Skype. It's a wonderful way to meet readers in classrooms and at libraries, I love to drop in on book clubs and critique groups, then get back to work!

Book news: The Unicorn's Secret books are getting lovely new covers by Sandara Tang, an amazing artist based in Singapore. The fan mail astounds me.
Sandara is the cover artist for the new kid's series The Faerie's Promise, too. Excerpts from all my books are on http://www.kathleenduey.com

YA NOVEL ONLINE/IN PROGRESS: RUSSET fans: http://russet-one-wing.blogspot.com/
I am accumulating entries and will tag you all when there is more to read. Give me your contact info and I will add you to the alert list. kathleenduey at earthlink dot net

The third book of my YA/adult trilogy is in the works now. I don't have a release date yet because I still writing like MAD. But it will be ASAP, I promise. The story is taking amazing turns and dragging me through the woods the way the first two did. Thanks!!!! to the thousands of people asking when it will come out.

You have no idea how happy that makes me.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great start to a new series by Kathleen Duey., April 24, 2005

By 

Rebecca Herman (USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lara and the Gray Mare (Hoofbeats, Book 1) (Paperback)

This is the first book in the Lara quartet, part of the Hoofbeats series of historical fiction horse stories for young readers. This quartet tells the story of a young girl and her horse in Medieval Ireland.

Nine-year-old Lara lives in fourteenth century Ireland, where she is the daughter of her clan's leader. Lara must spend most of her days doing chores, when she would prefer to be with the gray mare that she loves. The mare will soon have a foal, and Lara longs for it to be her own, but girls aren't allowed to have horses. When the mare is stolen in a raid, Lara is heartbroken. Will she ever see her beloved gray mare again?

This was another great historical novel for young readers by Kathleen Duey. The setting of medieval Ireland is very different from her previous books, all set in America, but is very well done and comes alive for the reader. I can't wait to read the rest of the books in the series to find out what happens to Lara next. I recommend this book to young readers who enjoy historical fiction and horse stories.