cover image Goldn Sci L Craig1

Goldn Sci L Craig1

Ann Sheldon. Aladdin Paperbacks, $2.75 (0pp) ISBN 978-0-671-64034-7

The first book in the Linda Craig Adventures series teams independent Linda with her young palomino, Amber, for a decidedly old-fashioned horse story. Linda and her brother Bob, who believes that Amber is still too playful to be a good trail horse, live on a Southern California ranch with their grandfather ``Bronco'' and grandmother ``Dona.'' When a wealthy oilman, Silas Danner, tries to take away the ranch because the deed is lost (and therefore invalid), Linda vows to foil him. She finds the deed in a failed gold mine and then gets trapped, but Amber leads rescuers to her in time, proving that she is a smart horse after all. The book has plenty of horsey details for young equestrians, but the actionslow to start and quick on the winduphas all the depth of a TV western. Ages 8-12. (May)