The Georges and the Jewels Book

I must have a British edition, because reading reviews I see that a horse in this book is called Ornery George, whereas in my book he is Grumpy George which is better. Maybe some editor didn't think British kids would know what ornery means, which is unlikely.

This is the tale of Abby, a schoolgirl in 1960s California, who learns to grow up, strengthen her attitudes and sense of self worth, observe adults, and start taking control of her life. This occurs through the twin media of horse training and schooldays.

Abby's older brother has already been driven away by their father's strict religious refusal to hear anything he doesn't like, from talking back to lessons about evolution. This leaves only Abby to ride the succession of passing-through horses which make the family an income. Training them for sale can be hard work - six at a time - and Abby's dad insists on calling the geldings all George and mares all Jewel, explaining the book's original title of The Georges And The Jewels. Abby first stands up to her father over Grumpy George which refuses co-operation and bucks her off badly. She states that she is not riding him any more. I got the impression that a boy would have been told "What kind of man are you!" but of course her dad can't say that to a girl.

A cowboy does some work with George, then a more thoughtful horse trainer. Abby also gets a lesson in show jumping and English style riding, which she really enjoys, on a calm pony. In all this a Jewel gives birth unexpectedly and Abby loves the colt foal, but is told that he will be time consuming and awkward to raise. She just becomes more determined. Both Grumpy George and the foal she names Jack could be the 'nobody's horse' of the title. Or maybe this is a reference to Abby herself: not one of the popular girls in class, not even really with a good friend as all the girls change allegiances; obliged to follow her father's religion but secretly obliged to learn about Catholic missions at school; enjoying competitive riding but unable to persevere as her father keeps selling on the mounts.

There are some difficult scenes to read for a horse lover. But I love the scene where Abby falls asleep in the field and the mares come around her to keep her affectionate company. A Young Adult will learn a lot - about horses and self-determination.