The Perfect Distance [Mass Market Paperback]

Kim Ablon Whitney (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 9, 2007

Seventeen-year-old Francie Martinez rides with one of the best equitation trainers in the country, and works as a groom to pay her way. For as long as she can remember, she's dreamed of winning the Maclay finals in Madison Square Garden—the most prestigious horse event in the country for this age group—and now that it's her last year to compete, the pressure is really on. But just when Francie needs to focus more than ever, the arrival of a new student at the barn upsets the careful balance she's created for herself, and soon she's not so sure if winning is really all that important, much less the point.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 8 Up–Francie Martinez, 17, has the good fortune to work at the stables of one of the best equitation trainers in the country. Previous students have gone from firsts at the Maclay Finals in New York City to Olympic teams, and Francie dreams of following in those august footsteps. Her father, a Mexican immigrant, met her mother at these same stables and is now the head of all the grooms–though Mom left ages ago. Francie's acceptance as a student is not without peril, as Tara is being groomed for first-place wins and trainer Rob hardly pays Francie any attention at all. Her fellow students and her school friends bring all the modern-day pressures vividly to life, from pushy parents to alcohol, sex, and the privileges of the rich. In a sport filled with wealthy people, the teen has to make an extra effort to find her place and accept reality without giving up her dreams. The author rode in many similar equitation events, and currently acts as judge, which adds to the authenticity. As a result, the terminology is accurate, but assumes a familiarity on the part of readers. The plot involves romance and making ethically wise choices in all areas of life. While sometimes the many characters are cardboard, the story will have strong appeal to horse lovers who've grown beyond Joanna Campbell's Thoroughbred series (Morrow/Avon) and should satisfy demanding K. M. Peyton fans.–Carol A. Edwards, Douglas County Libraries, Castle Rock, CO
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 7-10. "I knew how many Mexican riders and trainers there were in America. None." Francie Martinez's father works as barn manager at the prestigious West Hills Stables, and she pays for lessons by pulling groom duty in her spare time--a situation that sets her starkly apart from her well-scrubbed, privileged fellow riders. With one year remaining to compete in the teens' equitation circuit, Francie is determined to pour all her energy into winning big. Keeping focused proves difficult, though, when the year also brings a new romance, social pressures, and conflicts with her father. Whitney's probing of race and class issues feels a little too pointed, and some characterizations are too broadly drawn. But Whitney inhabits Francie's character wholly and convincingly and gets the universals of serious competition just right--any athlete will recognize the imperious, unfeeling coach; the snotty front-runner; and the unparalleled thrill of hitting the zone. For another lovable novel about a gutsy rider, try K. M. Peyton's Blind Beauty (2001). Jennifer Mattson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Laurel Leaf (January 9, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553494678
• ISBN-13: 978-0553494679
• Product Dimensions: 4.3 x 0.7 x 6.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #429,803 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #13 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Teens > School & Sports > Girls in Sports
  • #48 in Books > Teens > Sports & Hobbies > Girls in Sports

More About the Author

Kim Ablon Whitney's novels have earned special distinction from the American Library Association, Bank Street College of Education, and Booklist Magazine. A graduate of Tufts University, Kim has an M.F.A. in creative writing from Emerson College. She lives in Newton, MA with her husband and young sons.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Loved this book, January 19, 2007

By 

Jennie Dancy (Rochester, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Perfect Distance: A Novel (Hardcover)

Okay, full disclosure - I met the author when she was about 10 and had a pony! We rode at the same barn, and I saw her over the years getting better and better, graduating to the junior eqs. Now, we "keep in touch" through her website and I read a column she writes.

But anyway - I LOVED THIS BOOK! The characters are wonderful and believable, esp. the main character seems like such a tormented soul with her heritage, her (lack of) self-confidence, and being pulled in different directions.

As a horse lover, one can relate to the psycho trainer, the barn gossip, the show thrills and chills.

I am fully an adult - this is not just for Young Adults, but anyone who loves horses and the horse show world. I think young adults will especially be able to relate to what Francie's going through.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars good book, February 15, 2006

By 

E. M. Bristol "bibliophile" (boston, mass) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Perfect Distance: A Novel (Hardcover)

Francie Martinez is a girl who can't say no, whether it's to collaborating on a cheating ring to the demands of her pushy, abrasive riding coach. Despite her ethnicity and her relative poverty, she is determined to make it to the Medals junior show jumping final and if possible, win. On the way, she must do some serious reevaluating of herself, her riding career and her future goals.

What I liked is that many cliches were sidestepped. The underdog did NOT win the blue, the ethically challenged trainer did NOT see the errors of his ways or get "punished." The conclusion is satisfying but wholly realistic. A fast paced read that young horse lovers will enjoy and unlike the Saddle Club series set in the "real world."

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What will Francie's ride be like?, July 1, 2006

By 

Kimberly Pauley "YA Author" (Grayslake, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Perfect Distance: A Novel (Hardcover)

The Perfect Distance is not your average girl-loves-horses book. In fact, horses are really secondary here in this story of a girl growing up and finding herself. Francie has been around horses pretty much her entire life. Her father, who is Mexican, works as a stable manager for West Hills...which happens to be run by one of the best equestrian trainers in the business.

Francie works as a groom to help pay for her lessons with Rob, the rather ill-tempered trainer. That separates her from the other students, who are mostly rich kids, as does the fact that she is half-Mexican (though this makes more of a difference in Francie's mind than to most of the other riders). Francie is a good, solid rider, but Rob pays her little attention, instead concentrating on the spoiled Tara.

When Colby, a new rich but not-at-all-spoiled kid comes to train, Francie is confused. She wavers between being ashamed of her heritage and being proud of all her father has accomplished. She doesn't tell Colby at first that she's also a groom and not just another student, until Tara (i.e. the spoiled rotten) outs her.

In the meantime, they are all on edge as the finals approach. Who will make it? Who won't? Will Katie, Francie's good friend and fellow student, snatch up Colby or will Francie make a move, even though her father doesn't approve?

Add in some family conflict as well, as Francie's dad is determined that she go to college, even though she'd rather just ride and you've got a lot cooking in this plot. And then there's Rob...will he stoop to new lows to get what he wants?

This is a good, solid story from a writer that seems to specialize in conflicted girls growing up (Whitney also wrote See You Down the Road). Francie's troubles are real and heartfelt and the reader will root for her, even when they can see that she's making mistakes. Recommended for readers aged 12 and up.

Kimberly Pauley, YA Books Goddess @ YABooksCentral.com