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Thoroughbred #3
Wonder's First Race
Against all odds, Ashleigh Griffen's favorite racehorse, Wonder, has come through training with flying colors. Now Ashleigh and Wonder's trainer, Charlie, are putting everything they have into getting Wonder ready for the biggest race of her The Kentucky Derby. Then disaster strikes. Brad Townsend, the son of Wonder's owner, insists on working Wonder one icy winter day. As Ashleigh and Charlie watch in horror, Brad gallops Wonder too fast, and the filly stumbles on the frozen track, badly injuring her shoulder. After two years of hard work, have Wonder's chances been ruined in a split second? Read Thoroughbred and experience the love and friendship between a determined girl and a very special filly.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 30, 2024
Really enjoyed this one! Ashleigh definitely grows and learns at lot in how to handle herself around jerks, and Wonder still tries her hardest no matter what. And boy oh boy is Brad Townsend a JERK—that is the one thing I’ve never forgotten about this series and horrifyingly he just gets worse as the series goes on, believe it or not.
‼️Content‼️
Language: what the heck; oh my God; heck; gee; darn; God (1); darned; darnedest
‼️Content‼️
Language: what the heck; oh my God; heck; gee; darn; God (1); darned; darnedest
November 24, 2022
Solid gold.
January 27, 2012
Book Review
Wonder’s First Race
By Joanna Campbell
Even though I love horses, this book didn’t look exciting. But you can’t judge a book by its cover so I decided to read it. It turns out, I loved this book. “Wonder’s First Race” is written by Joanna Campbell and its realistic fiction. It was so full of excitement it was hard to put down.
The main characters are Ashleigh, Linda, Brad, Townsend Prince and Wonder. The setting is in Kentucky, just outside of Lexington. The conflict is Brad. He is mean and obnoxious. He always gets his own way just because his father is the owner of a famous race farm. Ashleigh’s parents work for Mr. Townsend, Brad’s father, so Brad acts like he is Ashleigh’s boss. He is mean and hurtful to Ashleigh and tries to ruin her chances to enter her favorite horse at the farm, Wonder, in the Kentucky Derby. Although Wonder is Mr. Townsend’s horse, he is letting Ashleigh care for her. Brad wants his horse, Townsend Prince to win. He convinces his father to enter Wonder in so many races that when it is time for the Kentucky Derby, Wonder will not enter. He is discouraged when he sees Wonder is still entered but knows his horse will easily beat Wonder.
I think this book gives great description and detail so you can picture everything in your mind. It is very interesting and the races are full of anticipation. It feels like you are there, watching the races and training Wonder. It is hard to believe there is someone mean as Brad. The book is depressing in a way, but at the end, everything turns out right, although not perfect. The book is organized and has a nice rhythm to it. It has many slow motion parts, especially in the races. There are scary moments to, like when Brad spooked Wonder when Ashleigh was riding her. She reared and took off like a panther chasing its prey. Ashleigh fell from the saddle and was nearly kicked in the face. Luckily, she only had a couple scratches and bruises although her head ached terribly. Ashleigh never tried to hurt or ruin his life. There is lots of action, some good, and some bad.
I think the theme of this book is to never give up. Brad was doing terrible things and still, Ashleigh and Wonder wouldn’t quit. I would describe Ashleigh as unsecure and determined. From the moment Wonder was born, Ashleigh knew she would be a great race horse even though nobody else believed then. She wouldn’t give up as she would work towards her goal for Wonder to go in the Kentucky Derby. Wonder was very sick as a foal. Nobody thought she would live, much less race. Ashleigh was the only one who believed in her. She cared and nursed Wonder through her young life. As Wonder grew, she slowly began to run amazingly. Wonder is playful and full of energy. She loves to run. Ashleigh later became her jockey and together they were unstoppable.
In conclusion, I think you should read the book, even if you don’t like horses. It is the story of love and determination. It will blow you into a different world full of adventure. There are many more books in the series that you would never get tired of. I hope you get to experience this wonderful book.
Wonder’s First Race
By Joanna Campbell
Even though I love horses, this book didn’t look exciting. But you can’t judge a book by its cover so I decided to read it. It turns out, I loved this book. “Wonder’s First Race” is written by Joanna Campbell and its realistic fiction. It was so full of excitement it was hard to put down.
The main characters are Ashleigh, Linda, Brad, Townsend Prince and Wonder. The setting is in Kentucky, just outside of Lexington. The conflict is Brad. He is mean and obnoxious. He always gets his own way just because his father is the owner of a famous race farm. Ashleigh’s parents work for Mr. Townsend, Brad’s father, so Brad acts like he is Ashleigh’s boss. He is mean and hurtful to Ashleigh and tries to ruin her chances to enter her favorite horse at the farm, Wonder, in the Kentucky Derby. Although Wonder is Mr. Townsend’s horse, he is letting Ashleigh care for her. Brad wants his horse, Townsend Prince to win. He convinces his father to enter Wonder in so many races that when it is time for the Kentucky Derby, Wonder will not enter. He is discouraged when he sees Wonder is still entered but knows his horse will easily beat Wonder.
I think this book gives great description and detail so you can picture everything in your mind. It is very interesting and the races are full of anticipation. It feels like you are there, watching the races and training Wonder. It is hard to believe there is someone mean as Brad. The book is depressing in a way, but at the end, everything turns out right, although not perfect. The book is organized and has a nice rhythm to it. It has many slow motion parts, especially in the races. There are scary moments to, like when Brad spooked Wonder when Ashleigh was riding her. She reared and took off like a panther chasing its prey. Ashleigh fell from the saddle and was nearly kicked in the face. Luckily, she only had a couple scratches and bruises although her head ached terribly. Ashleigh never tried to hurt or ruin his life. There is lots of action, some good, and some bad.
I think the theme of this book is to never give up. Brad was doing terrible things and still, Ashleigh and Wonder wouldn’t quit. I would describe Ashleigh as unsecure and determined. From the moment Wonder was born, Ashleigh knew she would be a great race horse even though nobody else believed then. She wouldn’t give up as she would work towards her goal for Wonder to go in the Kentucky Derby. Wonder was very sick as a foal. Nobody thought she would live, much less race. Ashleigh was the only one who believed in her. She cared and nursed Wonder through her young life. As Wonder grew, she slowly began to run amazingly. Wonder is playful and full of energy. She loves to run. Ashleigh later became her jockey and together they were unstoppable.
In conclusion, I think you should read the book, even if you don’t like horses. It is the story of love and determination. It will blow you into a different world full of adventure. There are many more books in the series that you would never get tired of. I hope you get to experience this wonderful book.
June 18, 2014
Eh. It was good. Like I said in my last review, the writing is more for younger audiences. The plot is good- but it seems to be repeating itself...
Something bad happens to Wonder, but by the end it's always resolved. I understand this is how some books work but on one book there should be a problem and at the end it isn't fixed, instead, it should lead the readers on to the next book to figure out what happens. THEN on the next the problem becomes fixed. Shake it up a bit!
Though despite everything, I enjoyed this series. It's a nice book for horse lovers- me! Haha.
Something bad happens to Wonder, but by the end it's always resolved. I understand this is how some books work but on one book there should be a problem and at the end it isn't fixed, instead, it should lead the readers on to the next book to figure out what happens. THEN on the next the problem becomes fixed. Shake it up a bit!
Though despite everything, I enjoyed this series. It's a nice book for horse lovers- me! Haha.
June 15, 2020
Read it in the 1990s but can't remember it. Sorry.
August 3, 2019
Actual rating: 3.7
August 19, 2015
Horse books forever!
April 30, 2015
A great series for tweens that love horses and/or are interested in horseback riding or racing. Teaches about the struggles of working with animals and the benefits.
December 8, 2019
I know they are not gonna go this route but Ashleigh Griffen is absolutely a lesbian.
March 19, 2020
Ik heb ze gelezen als omnibus dus de eerste en 2plus 3de zat bij elkaar in. Was even vergeten hoe goed dit verhaal ook alweer was😅 damn jeugd sentiment
June 4, 2021
I love this book! The story line is compelling , and we see Ashley finally begining to see her dreams come true with training Wonder, but family issues , a conflict with Brad and injury could threaten to stop these dreams from coming true. Can Ashley keep persevering ? While this is still a "happy ending" kinda novel and we start to see slighly more "teenage" themes namely first love , which is so lovely and beautifully done, but we also the more unfairtytale like issue of relationship breakups and struggling with them which actually has a fairly key effect on the story. (diffrent to the first love bit!)
January 16, 2018
My favorite part was when Wonder won the Kentucky Derby. My least favorite part was when Brad was being mean to Caroline, and said that Wonder wasn't going to win any races, and then when she did, he said that he always knew she would. My favorite character was Ashleigh, because she always believed that Wonder could be amazing at races, and didn't give up hope on her when she got injured, or wasn't doing very well. My least favorite character was Brad, because he was mean to Caroline, and was smug and stuck up, just because his horse was undefeated, and he was the son of the owner of the stables.
March 22, 2021
I love this book! Amber and Charlie let Wonder do her First races with Jilly as her jockey (love Jilly) Some races went better than others. I love how Wonder transformed from a filly That no one (except Amber,Her family, Charlie, Jilly,Linda and some stable staff) believed in the fantastic Race horse that she is now. And i love the moment that Amber met Mike. She and Mike are absolutely a goals couple ❤️.
May 31, 2018
Ren nostalgi.
November 1, 2020
Read several in this series when I was much younger. Reading them with my daughter who is now about the age I was when I started reading them.
March 2, 2024
Gewoon lekker om te lezen. Echt een paarden meiden boek
January 30, 2024
Wonder wins her first race, but Brad Townsend is still trying to underrate her in an effort to promote his own colt, Townsend Prince, as the top two-year-old in the stables. The day before Wonder's next race, Ashleigh loses control of Wonder's head and breezes her too fast. During the race, the filly is surrounded by flying crops. She drops back in the field and doesn't have enough energy left to win the race. Then, Brad cuts Ashleigh out of Wonder’s training. He convinces his father to let Jilly, Wonder’s jockey, work her, and Brad goes to the track as Wonder’s groom. One frozen December day, Brad exercises Wonder while Jilly is down with the flu. He pushes the horse too fast for the track conditions, and she stumbles straining a shoulder muscle. Fortunately, Wonder heals in time for the spring prep races for the Kentucky Derby. She places second in her race in Florida and wins the Jim Beam up north. Tired from the tight schedule of races and travel, Wonder only places third in the Blue Grass. With the derby looming three weeks ahead, Charlie lets Wonder rest for an entire week before getting her back into shape. Will it be enough to put Wonder in top form for the most important race of her life?
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com
April 24, 2020
This review is written by Clio (age 6) and may contain spoilers.
Wonder wins her first race, but in her second race she gets breezed too much in her workout in the day before and she doesn't win it. And when Brad Townsend, the owner's son, a jerk, wants to ride Wonder on an icy track, Wonder ends up bruising her ankle and pulling some shoulder muscles in her left side. Will Ashleigh be able to save Wonder? Will Wonder still be able to race?
Wonder wins her first race, but in her second race she gets breezed too much in her workout in the day before and she doesn't win it. And when Brad Townsend, the owner's son, a jerk, wants to ride Wonder on an icy track, Wonder ends up bruising her ankle and pulling some shoulder muscles in her left side. Will Ashleigh be able to save Wonder? Will Wonder still be able to race?
August 1, 2016
I loved it! I love horses, especially thoroughbreds! I love horse racing. but most of all I love the horses.
Even though this book is fiction, I learned a lot.
For anyone who loves horses, you would enjoy this series!
Even though this book is fiction, I learned a lot.
For anyone who loves horses, you would enjoy this series!
September 6, 2008
So far it is really good I felt bad for the horse though at some parts
September 20, 2008
this is a fabulous book for horse lovers!!!!
April 28, 2014
amazeing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 21, 2015
this will forever and always be my most favourite book ever
May 24, 2021
I loved this book!
July 24, 2008
I love it.. It was amazing....
March 22, 2016
Loved these when I was a kid obsessed with horses.
July 26, 2016
Reread.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews