Customer Reviews

Return to Skoki Lake (StableMates, No. 6)

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3 star:		(2)
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Jessa is excited when her grandmother gives her a trail ride vacation in the Canadian Rockies. But just as the trip begins, she feels sick and is always hungry or thirsty. Partway into the trail ride, she falls off her horse and wakes up in the hospital. There she learns that she has diabetes. Because the jacket touts this a "recommended for children with diabetes," I expected a pedantic story that focused primarily on the problems Jessa faced in her life. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was a fast-paced story about a summer holiday, friendships that change, and horseback riding. Readers who like horses, stories about friends, or just a good tale, will enjoy Return to Skoki Lake. They may also discover that a young girl with diabetes isn't that different from any other young person.

My 7 year old daughter loves horses and was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at 3. My daughter was a little annoyed that I bought a book with a diabetes storyline, but she quickly found out that the book was more about horses, parties and friends than diabetes. The book pulls you in very quickly- I read the book too. I learned a lot of technical terms about horse riding. As for diabetes, my daughter took pride in knowing exactly what the main character was feeling and became aware of just how much diabetes knowledge she has learned since being diagnosed. I related to the mom- being scared, overprotective after being diagnosed. Highly recommend the book to anyone - diabetic or not.

I think this book was successful in explaining the effects of diabetes on young, active people. It served it's purpose, and was an interesting story to read. It captured the confusion and frustration of a pre-teen girl who was just diagnosed with that life-changing disease. No more treats, sugar, or casual snacking, and the ever present fear of 'going low.' I got a feel for Jessa and her family, but . . .

As a book in the StableMates series it really fizzled. Jessa has never acted like this, and her character seemed different, selfish and, at times, quite bratty. The series has always been about horses and riding, but, except for when she was on the trip and riding Jasmine, horses were barely mentioned. Jessa's horse for the week-long trail ride was barely explained, quite unlike the author, and it JUST DIDN'T WORK. I feel Return to Skoki Lae would have served better as a single book, not part of the series. I hope that the next book will focus on riding again, and not diabetes, especially since Jessa's out-growing Rebel, and has begun to move on to riding the pride of the barn, Jasmine.

All in all, it was a good book, but if you're interested in a book about horses, I don't recommend it. Try the earlier books in the series, like Rebel of Dark Creek, or Sienna's Rescue.