Summary
This tender and heartfelt book will resonate with middle graders. Halle’s problems—making new friends, dealing with a sibling, negotiating with parents—are relatable and timeless… . A warmhearted tale about growing up and the animals we love on the way.
After witnessing the tragic death of a racehorse, eleven-year-old Halle finds herself caring for the horse’s best friend, a grieving pony named Rocky. A heart-tugging story of patience, love, and hope.
Halle thinks starting six…
Book Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781536239256 |
|---|---|
| ISBN-10: | 1536239259 |
| Author: | Kara Thom |
| Publisher: | Candlewick Press,U.S. |
| Imprint: | Candlewick Press,U.S. |
| Format: | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages: | 352 |
| Release Date: | 24 February 2026 |
| Weight: | 482g |
| Dimensions: | 33mm x 149mm x 205mm |
| Audience Age: | 9-12 |
You Can Find This Book In
Critics Review
This tender and heartfelt book will resonate with middle graders. Halle’s problems—making new friends, dealing with a sibling, negotiating with parents—are relatable and timeless… . A warmhearted tale about growing up and the animals we love on the way, this book will speak to those who love deep feelings in their stories.
—School Library Journal
The small-town Minnesota setting adds a distinctive regional flavor, authentically showcasing contemporary Midwest life from sledding hills and frozen lakes to the landscape of rural farmland bordering suburban neighborhoods. A tender tale showing how loss can create space for new connections.
—Kirkus Reviews
A mix of heartwarming hope and soul-gripping grief, Thom’s narrative offers middle-grade readers emotional heft while still meeting them at their level and addressing questions they might have.
—Booklist
I love this book for all sorts of reasons: drama without villains, friendship and sibling relationships that change and grow, beloved animals playing an important part in family and social life. Through it all, Halle learns about poetry and its power to open hearts and minds. Young readers will find a friend in Halle and cheer her on as she navigates sixth grade. Teachers will find a friend and mentor in Mrs. Delgado.
—Helen Frost, author of Hidden and All He Knew
Sweet, Tart is a gift: the wonder of a soccer-playing pony, the longing for a true friend, the shock of an unexpected loss, and the sweetness of reconciliation. From start to finish, there is a poetry to how life itself unfolds in Halle’s world.
—Gigi Amateau, award-winning author of the Horses of the Maury River Stables series
A sweet story of friendship, family, hope, and healing. I loved Halle’s relationship with her teacher, who helps her express her feelings through poetry, and Rocky, a special pony who shows her that patience and kindness (as well as SweeTarts) are the keys to true friendship.
—Jo Knowles, author of Someone’s Gonna End Up Crying
This is a story for those who love horses and poetry, or like Halle, are yet to discover the joy and love in both. Kara Thom’s style of storytelling is immersive; you feel every heartache and celebrate every triumph. This debut novel feels like an instant classic—a story that brings you in and wraps around you like a warm hug, even as it explores life’s hardest lessons.
—Nina Hamza, author of Ahmed Aziz’s Epic Year and Samira’s Worst Best Summer
Kara Thom
Kara Thom is the author of the Go! Go! Sports Girls series and the picture book See Mom Run, illustrated by Lilly Golden, as well as other books for adults. Her poetry has been published in literary journals and anthologies. She lives with her family in Minnesota, where she is a substitute media specialist at her local school district and a bookseller at Excelsior Bay Books. This is her first middle-grade novel.
Returns
This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.