Tales from the Circle C Ranch

Author Susan K. Marlow has done a clever thing: She's created three different series of books featuring the same heroine at different stages of life. In the Circle C Beginnings books, plucky, horse-loving Andrea Carter is just starting school, at age 6. In the Circle C Adventures books, Andrea is 12 years old. And in Circle C Milestones, Andrea is a teen. Therefore, as readers grow and mature, so does the heroine of Marlow's books. Since the Circle C Beginnings books have been a blessing in our house, I was excited when I learned Marlow had just released a book of short stories that tie together all the books in her three series. My daughter has not yet read the next level of books (those in the Circle C Adventures series), and this new book of short stories, Tales from the Circle C Ranch, seemed like a perfect way to ease into them.

In Tales from the Circle C Ranch, the author has combined a variety of stories from her three series. Perhaps they were chapters that were cut from her other books, or perhaps she just had shorter stories she wanted to tell about her young heroine affectionately known as Andi. Either way, readers will be delighted that Andrea continues to get into "fixes" in each story in this book - and learns a few lessons, too. As always, she loves her horses, struggles against early 1900s social norms, and has plenty of adventures.

What I Like: Andrea's character is one my children can easily relate to. She means well, but often gets into trouble. Marlow does a wonderful job of making readers love and relate to her heroine and some portions of the book are funny, while others are touching.

What I Dislike: If you've not read every book in Marlow's three different series starring Andrea Carter, you will occasionally feel left out. A few times, events are mentioned you'll know nothing about. However, my children and I didn't find this problematic - and it only made my daughter want to read more of Marlow's books. Also, while God and prayer are mentioned in this book, I wish the theme of faith played a stronger role. Nevertheless, this is a good read for fans of Andrea Carter.

Overall Rating: Very good.

Age Appeal: The publisher says 8 - 12, but I think kids as young as 6 will enjoy this book as a read aloud.

Publishing Info: Kregel, 2015; ISBN 978-0825443794; paperback, 160 pgs., $7.99

Buy at Amazon for $7.99; or buy the Kindle version for $6.15.

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Our Kids Review: Andi's Lonely Little Foal

Anastasia is a kindergartener who loves books, ballet, and learning about new things. Here is her review of Susan K. Marlow's Andi's Lonely Little Foal.

Andi is worried about Taffy, her foal, because Taffy is away from her mother. She’s being weaned. Andi gets in trouble because she wants Taffy to be back with her mommy, Snowflake. Andi is sneaky and disobeys and sleeps in Taffy’s stall and takes Taffy back to her mommy.

But Andi learns not to do that again because she gets in trouble. She learns to trust God and her brother, Chad.

What I Like: I like horses. I like the name Taffy. I like Andi. She’s a nice girl. I like the part where she says she’s sorry to Chad and her mommy. I like cowboys. I like that she learns about trusting God. I like the pictures, too. And I like it because it’s more of a big kid book and I get to get user to seeing a book that doesn’t have very many pictures in it.

What I Dislike: I don’t like the part where Andi was naughty because she disobeyed. Because I don’t like that she disobeys.

Overall Rating: Excellent. Except for the part where she disobeys.


From Kristina:

Age Appeal: According to Amazon, 9 to 12, although many kids as young as 5 or so will like this book.


Publishing Info: Kregel Publications, 2011; ISBN: 978-0825441851; paperback, 80 pgs., $4.99.


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Special Info: Like all of Susan K. Marlow's Circle C Beginnings books, this one is light on what might be called Christian content. Andi does go to Sunday School and pray about her concern for Taffy, and her mother does tell her "...you should have trusted God to take care of Taffy."

Read our reviews of other Circle C Beginnings books by clicking here.

Andi's Indian Summer

My 5 year old is hooked on Susan K. Marlow's Circle C Beginnings series, so we were excited to read Andi's Indian Summer. When we finished the book, I was disappointed - but the title did lead to an interesting conversation that made the book worthwhile.

In Indian Summer, 6 year old Andi's best friend Riley introduces her to dime novels. Since this is the 19th century and Andi can't read yet, they spend a lot of time in the barn, Riley reading the adventurous tale - complete with savage Indians - out loud. Andi loves the book - but it makes her jumpy, gives her bad dreams, and overall makes her nervous. Around every corner, she imagines a Indian, ready to capture her.

Then Riley and Andi go on a horseback ride and get lost, only to encounter some Native American children. When one of the boys hops onto their horse, Andi's sure he's going to steal it. But a moment later, the Indian boy's father, Lum-pa, appears. Lum-pa fears there's not time to get Andi and Riley home safely, so he insists they spend the night in his village. Andi's afraid, but she knows she and Riley can't get home alone, either.

Lum-pa, his family, and his friends are friendly, Andi soon discovers. Lum-pa is a Christian - and it turns out Andi's deceased father is the man who lead Lum-pa to Christ. Andi develops a special bond with Lum-pa's daughter, and when morning comes, she'd rather stay and play with the girl. But Lum-pa knows Andi's family must be worried, so he walks the children home. Andi's definitely learned her lesson: Indians aren't savages. They are just people, like you and me.

What I Like: As always, Marlow's writing is clear, kid-friendly, and fun; Leslie Gammelgaard's black and white drawings (about one every 5 pages or so) add a lot of interest. Like a lot of kids, my 5 year old is fascinated with old stories about Indians, so she was especially eager to "read more, Mommy!" each time we sat down with this novel.
What I Dislike: This story offered a perfect opportunity to teach a true-to-life lesson that some Indians are good and others are not - just as is true with all people. Unfortunately, the author instead chose to paint Indians as only good. Lum-pa condemns the dime novel as entirely made up, leaving readers to assume all stories about Indians doing bad things are false. I found this really disappointing, especially when, in the author's afterward, she says that "it's true some white men killed" Indians, but fails the mention the opposite was also true.
While I would have preferred the author give an accurate representation of people - Caucasian and Indian - the book did give me an opportunity to discuss the issue with my daughter, stressing the reasons Indians and Caucasians killed each other. (Often simply because they misunderstood each other so much.)

Overall Rating: Good.
Age Appeal: 4 - 8
Publishing Info: Kregel, 2010; ISBN: 978-0825441820; paperback, 80 pgs., $4.99.

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Special Info: Read our reviews of other Susan K. Marlow novels here. Visit the series website for free coloring pages, free activity packs, and free online puzzles.

Allister

Allister, written by Shelley L. Houston, is a fiction chapter book about the adventures of a young mouse. Allister lives in the walls of an elementary school along with a number of other mice and their families. The community follows a set of rules and has leaders who help make decisions for the safety of all.

When the story opens, Allister is determined to win a game of “Chicken” (which involves taunting and dodging a cat) to prove he is better than his peers. Although his father forbids him to play the game and warns Allister of the risks involved, Allister disobeys. Allister and his friends survive, but with injuries.

Soon other distractions arise. Allister’s family home is discovered and destroyed by humans. Another mouse family takes them in, but under the agreement that Allister’s family will be servants to the host family. Then more tragedy strikes as Allister’s family loses their home a second time and the she-mouse Allister has a crush on moves away. This makes Allister angry. However, as Allister deals with these life issues, he witnesses the faith of his parents. Despite all the misfortune in their lives, his father continually points out the Creator’s provision for them, and his mother praises the Creator for their blessings. The story closes with Allister learning about a Creator who cares about him, and about the meaning of Christmas.

This is the first book in a trilogy.

What I Like: For me, the book was reminiscent of Beverly Cleary’s The Mouse and the Motorcycle. Like Ralph, Allister takes risks and has a bit of spunk to him. He also speaks to a human, which is against the mouse rules. I also liked seeing the parent’s faith in action. I think young readers—especially those who liked Beverly Cleary’s tale—would enjoy the story. There are not many Christian fiction series available for kids in the K-2 grade range, so I was quite happy to see this one. (Others out there include series like and That’s Nat, Meghan Rose, Cul-de-sac Kids, and Circle C Beginnings.)

What I Dislike: Although the writing was entertaining, there were a few spots where the character’s point of view changed abruptly. While I liked the father, one scene early on in the book seemed out of character for his otherwise serene and trusting manner: In an intimidating way, he grabs up Allister by the scruff of his neck. Allister is also somewhat disrespectful (lying numerous times, sticking out his tongue, and disobeying his parents). Finally, when discussing the Thanksgiving holiday, a classroom student uses the word “Injun”. Although I’m sure the author didn’t intend it to be so, I found the terminology offensive.

Overall Rating: Good. I think kids would like it.

Age Appeal: None given, but I suggest grades K-2 with K as a read aloud.

Publisher Info: Just Dust Publisher, 2011; ISBN:978-0983833321; Paperback, 144 pgs., $6.99.

This book is not available at Christianbook.com.
Buy it at Amazon.com for $6.99.

Andi's Pony Trouble

Yes, I know I should never judge a book by it's cover. Still, I'm human. Sometimes I do. And it's the covers that kept me from picking up any books in the Circle C Beginnings series. They just seem so...cheesy. But after reading Andi's Pony Trouble, I know Susan K. Marlow's writing is anything but cheezy!

This story takes place over the course of two days. Five year old Andi wants nothing more for her birthday than a full-sized horse. She's tired of her hand-me-down, bumpy-riding pony. Living on a California ranch in the 1800s, all of Andi's siblings have horses of their own - and she's sure she's big enough to have one, too.

But when she makes up her mind to ask Mother for a horse, everything goes wrong. She's not tall enough to get on a horse without help. She doesn't always care for her pony well. Then she messes up an important chore by breaking almost every egg in the hen house.

So when her big brother wants to go riding with her, Andi jumps at the chance to improve the day. And when her brother let's her ride on his horse all the way home, thinking Andi's pony will follow behind, she's delighted. But then her pony disappears and Andi must try to find him on her own.

In the end, Andi learns to be thankful for and more caring toward her pony. She even gets a colt for her sixth birthday. Most importantly, Andi learns she can talk to God, anytime, anywhere.

What I Like: This is a charming little story. It's wholesome without being preachy or old fashioned, and my 5 year old kept begging me to read more. The book made her laugh frequently and she was satisfied by the ending. I appreciate the maturity Andi gained in the story, too.

The Christian content in this book is quite light, lasting less than a page. But the author does a nice job of making Andi's revelation about prayer not just being appropriate at church or at bedtime feel realistic. I also like the page and a half afterward, which asks kids to consider what it would have been like to use horses instead of cars or trucks.

Throughout, there are about 10 black and white drawings (about one per chapter) by Leslie Gammelgaard. They are much better than the cover image, and capture the innocence and humor of Andi very well.

What I Dislike: Some parents may dislike that Andi's friend, Riley (who assists the ranch cook) talks about disliking school. "Wait 'til you start school," he says. "You'll see what I mean." If your child isn't yet in school, this may not be the type of dialogue you appreciate.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 4 - 8

Publishing Info: Kregel, 2010; ISBN: 978-0825441813; paperback, 80 pgs., $4.99.

Buy Now at Amazon.com for $4.99

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Special Info: Read our reviews of other Susan K. Marlow novels here. Visit the series website for free coloring pages, free activity packs, and free online puzzles.

Andi's Scary School Days

It's Andi's first day of school, but she's hiding in the barn. There's no way she's going to school - until Mother insists. That's the premise of Susan K. Marlow's Andi's Scary School Days, part of the Circle C Beginnings series.

As Andi expects, school is no fun. The teacher looks mean. There are so many rules her mind wanders as the teacher reads them. Her big sister runs off with her friends and leaves Andi alone. No wonder Andi climbs a tree for a little sulking. But it turns out tree climbing is against the rules, too, and the teacher sends for Andi's big brother to get her down.

Her second school day doesn't go much better. First Andi is tardy, then she gets in trouble because of a little lizard in the classroom. The teacher tells her to stand in the corner...and Andi runs straight into town, where she's never been without a grown up before. When she hides in the town stables, she almost gets in trouble as a horse thief, prompting her to pray for God's help. Eventually, her big brother finds her and brings her back to school.

The teacher's been worried sick about Andi, and Andi realizes she's actually a pretty nice lady. In fact, she lets Andi ring the bell to call the kids back to school. Maybe school won't be so bad, after all.

The book ends with an author's note about school in the 19th century.

What I Like: Andi's story has just the right amount of naivete and sweetness and never seems saccharine or preachy. My 5 year old loved this story. Even though Andi lives in the 1800s, her anxiety about school is entirely up to date. Throughout, black and white drawings by Leslie Gammelaard add plenty of interest.

What I Dislike: Nothing, really, although I wish God played a bigger part in this Andi book.

Overall Rating: Very Good.

Age Appeal: 4 - 8.

Publishing Info: Kregel, 2011; ISBN: 978-0825441837; paperback, 80 pgs., $4.99.

Buy Now at Amazon.com for $4.99

OR buy at ChristianBook.com for $4.49

Special Info: See our other reviews of books by Susan K. Marlow. Visit the series website for free coloring pages, free activity packs, and free online puzzles.