about the book
Ten-year-old Libby Thump has eyes so dark they are almost black, long braids down to her waist, and a passion for horses. When she isn’t drawing them, she is yearning to be the best rider ever. And according to her teacher, she is also not living up to her potential.
A few days before summer vacation begins, Libby takes Margaret, the family dog, out for a walk. Once they reach the park, Libby unclips the dog and tosses a stick—and Margaret streaks off and is soon lost in the trees. Panicking, Libby races after the disappearing dog. Led in a wild chase, she spots Margaret sitting proudly with the stick in her mouth, within a wooden fence…not too far from a huge white horse!
The spooked horse races around the paddock. lunges over the tall fence. and gallops off down the grassy hill. It is caught near a barn by the owner of the dilapidated property. Libby has just discovered the High Hopes Horse Farm—just a skip and a hop from her own front door! She is so excited, she races back home to beg her parents for riding lessons.
She is totally flummoxed when her parents sign up her older sister, Laurel, instead! They think it will help Laurel get past her boy-crazy phase. Since money is tight and mom wants Libby to be more girly, she ends up with swimming lessons—which she hates! Summer vacation is going to totally stink, especially since Libby’s ex-pal, “Perfect Brittany,” has recently turned into an uber-competitive frenemy and is taking both swimming and riding lessons!
At least Libby can be near the horses, especially Princess, the retired white jumper, if she offers to groom the animals and muck out stalls. Over time, she learns much about the care of horses and about riding by watching those around her. She also gets to know the owner, Sal Ricci, a sad man who seems to lack any High Hopes at all.
Libby can only watch longingly as Laurel canters by, mounted on Princess. Life is so unfair! But then things start to happen that will steal away the little joy Libby has. This time she is determined to do what needs to be done—to really “live up to her potential.” This time, nothing is going to stop her!
about the author
Elise Primavera has been a children book illustrator and author for over twenty-five years.
She was born in West Long Branch, New Jersey, and after her older brother taught her how to draw a tree, she began drawing on anything she could find, including her clothing, her school books, and even her desks! Needless to say, she got into a lot of trouble.
While confined to bed for an entire summer because of rheumatic fever when she was eleven, she worked her way through a number of Learn-to-Draw workbooks. After her recovery, she turned to her greatest passions—horseback riding and the dream of being an Olympic rider. She never intended to go into the book business!
Elise studied fashion design at The Art Students League, The National Academy School of Fine Arts, and Moore College of Art and Design. Finding the fashion industry too competitive, she put a portfolio together and began knocking on publishers’ doors. Her first illustrative work hit the store book shelves in 1981…and her award-winning career blossomed! Her best-selling picture book Auntie Claus is slated to be made into an animated motion picture. She even illustrated a Christmas brochure for the White House!
Elise makes her home in Red Bank, New Jersey, with her shaggy dog, Lulu. She has fixed up her little Craftsman styled 1920’s home with a big airy studio just perfect for writing and drawing!
Sources:
Author website
Author biography: Hyperion
Author biography: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Author interview: Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast
Also by Elise Primavera:
Project Blue Ribbon (Libby of High Hopes, Book 2). Paula Wiseman. September 2015.
Ms. Rapscott’s Girls. Dial. 2015.
The Secret Order of the Gumm Street Girls. Harper Collins. 2006.
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