Disclosure: I received this complimentary product (Ride One) through Raincoast Books. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and is so much appreciated. 
Girls, horses, rivalry, friendship, hurt, and love all tied together into a colourful graphic novel to read. If you have youth (most likely girls) who love horses and stories speaking to life as you live it, this story will intrigue. Misunderstandings happen and growth occurs. It’s always good to see teens not being stuck into a mindset that is not helpful to them.
Ride On, the details
Title: Ride On
Author: Faith Erin Hicks
Publisher: First Second Books
Type: Graphic Novel
Colourist: Kelly Fitzpatrick
Formats Available: Kindle, Hardcover, Softcover (reviewed softcover)
Genre: Animal comics, Horse Book, Friendship Books
Pages: 224 pages
Intended Audience: 10-14 years, 4-6 years
Reviewed for: Raincoast Books.
About the Author: Faith Erin Hicks is a fellow Canadian, having written several graphic novels. I thought her name was familiar and I have reviewed another one of her books, One Year at Ellsmere. She includes lots of colour in her books.
The Story: Victoria has always loved horses. But the competition, not so much. After some struggle, she decided a new place to ride was needed. A place where she doesn’t have to worry about anything other than riding. No competition, no drama, no friends. She only wants the horses. Edgewood Stables seems ideal. But how shall it go?
Digging Deeper
Horses and friendship fill the pages. Not always the friends you expect or perhaps think you want. But shared loves, and a willingness to talk, and before you know it… better friendships result!
Friendship oozes from the pages, with some exceptions, with young teens just enjoying the world that is horses. Life isn’t always easy when you are growing up and you’ll see those real-to-life tensions within the pages of this full-colour graphic novel.
These girls (Victoria, Norrie and Hazel) as well as their male friend Sam are drawn in vibrant colours suiting their personalities. The pony shows his mischievousness, the horses their personality (and at times) spunkiness. I was so pleased to see the attention to detail. It adds a great feel to the whole story, bringing in a deeper feel.
My Thoughts
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I loved watching the youth grow in their relationships with each other and learn new skills. They became better, deeper people before the tale ended. I was able to see glimpses of the adults they were becoming and boy… was that good!
Taking the viewpoint of the younger reader though… this is a story of friendship and horses. It’s not a hard or complicated story, but sometimes growing up and learning new things isn’t easy. The reader is invited in to see that struggle, and perhaps learn from it. Along the way they get to enjoy the antics of misbehaving ponies, see horses gain confidence, and friendship increase. Ride On is well-worth reading for the friendship-loving horse girls in your midst.
Looks just right for a young girl who is into horses. And graphic novels.
precisely indeed.