Galloping Away

By: Kolb, Robin

A True Bond

When almost 13-year-old Alex forms a true bond with a newborn colt, she secretly promises to make him her own. But like all horses born on her family's Rosen Ranch, this colt is slated to be sold.

Alex thinks if she can prove herself a capable horse trainer, there might be a chance to keep the colt. But when her attempt to work with a spirited filly ends in disaster, her secret hope is shattered.

Now...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1953743307
• ISBN13: 9781953743305
• Release Date: February 2024
• Publisher: Chicken Scratch Books
• Length: 274 Pages
• Weight: 0.66 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.0" x 8.0"
• Age Range: 9 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 7

Customer Reviews

A powerful read at any age

Galloping Away is set on the fictional Rosen family ranch in Montana. The plot concerns twelve-year old Alex, yearning to fledge, or to at least step closer to the edge of the nest. She strives toward a dream of earning the respect and trust to work alongside her mother, who is in charge of the horse operation. But a recent and serious mishap that Alex feels sure was her fault, has badly shaken her confidence. Still, she resolves to prove herself and bears up, even when her journey becomes uncertain and even risky. There are moments in this novel that are so tenderly rendered that they take my breath away. In an early scene, Alex first meets the newly born colt, Denver, with whom she has an immediate and lasting bond. In the quiet of the stall, she inches closer to him. “I stroked his soft chin. Tiny puffs of air and delicate whiskers tickled my fingers and sent shivers up my arms . . . I saw my reflection shining in his eyes. Our breath mingled. I inhaled his sweet baby fragrance.” This beloved colt lands at the center of Alex’s quest. A sweet and effective element of the novel is that several of the animals, in differing ways, play strong, supporting roles. Alex goes to the horses when she’s at her lowest, seeking comfort from those she’s been riding for years and those she’s just getting to know, like Denver. But other animals, too, have import. The ever-present pup, Rosie, puts out a reassuring paw when all seems lost. “Rosie stretched tall to tap my thigh with her nose then smiled at me, her tongue lolling out the side of her mouth . . .Her bright eyes were trained on my face.” Secondary characters are definitely a notable strength in GA. Alex’s mother is a fascinating example. She holds the key to Alex’s twin desires to keep Denver and to be taken more seriously. But Mom is an enigma! I worried along with Alex about what she was thinking, especially during highly-charged scenes. It isn’t until close to the end that she comes fully into the light. The same could be said for an antagonist, Emily, who has a minor role in the novel but who is fully drawn, complex and intriguing. The care that Kolb takes with every character consistently deepens the story. I’ve only been able to scratch the surface of all that I believe is so great about Galloping Away. My bottom line is that this is a wonderful read, a hard-to-put down, coming of age story that I’ll share with my granddaughters, other children (of all ages) and recommend often in the years ahead. Bravo to Robin Kolb!

Highly recommend!

I highly recommend Galloping Away by Robin Kolb. I love characters I can really root for and the main character, Alex, is just that! The author has written her as a relatable almost thirteen-year-old navigating adolescence—sometimes awkward, unsure, and faltering but learning and growing into someone who knows what she wants and how to get there. No plot spoilers here but suffice it to say that the author handles the plot with just the right amount of tension on the reins, allowing for very sweet moments between Alex and the horses (especially the colt Denver) while also driving the reader forward through missteps and near disaster to find out if Alex is going to fulfill her dream. Family members and school friends round out the cast. The sulky older sister and the sometimes-annoying younger brother help create a realistic picture of Alex’s family life—something I’m sure many readers will relate to. Her parents are loving and supportive, and Alex has a very sweet relationship with her grandmother. But it’s not all sunshine and roses. There are plenty of nuances and tricky conversations to navigate here. I was touched by the relationship between Alex and her mother and the way their relationship grew throughout the book. The author obviously knows her subject well, not glossing over the technical aspects of horseback riding but actually giving the reader a lesson in such a natural and engaging way. I had never seen that done before and it was fascinating. There is beautiful writing throughout. I especially love the author’s use of horse characteristics to describe Alex’s emotions. One of my favorite lines: “The wild horses thrumming through my veins refused to be tamed. They tossed their manes and pranced with joy.” What a delightful read! Galloping Away checked all the boxes for me. This will be my go-to gift for middle-graders in my life.