Best Horse on the Force Book

In this middle grade reader, two young boys who work at the stables of the Houston Mounted Police, sabotage a beautiful new horse, Skywalker, when one of the rookie cops plays unwelcome jokes on the boys. When Skywalker gets kicked off the force, the boys must work to get him back in good standing as the Best Horse on the Force.

School Library Journal

Gr 4-6-- Wayne and Brandon, both 12, are volunteers at the Houston Police Mounted Patrol stables. They enjoy their work, but not the teasing and pranks of a young officer, Chris. When they learn that he is slated to get a magnificent new horse, Skyjacker, the boys turn the tables with unfortunate--and potentially fatal--results. Because of one incident Chris is dumped into a water trough; a second sends him to the hospital with a fractured arm and causes the horse to be returned to his owner, rejected as unsuitable for police use. Brandon feels guilty and agrees to care for Skyjacker until his owner can find another home for him; although he has been afraid to ride, he finds the courage to mount the animal. En route to a parade, the boys encounter a bandit and pursue him on horseback; during a high-speed chase, the robber shoots at and wounds Wayne before being captured by the police. All ends well with Skyjacker back in the Mounted Patrol. Although the plot is unbelievable in places, the book provides action-packed reading for reluctant readers and offers insight into the training of police horses. --Jeanette Larson, Mesquite Public Library, TX