Storm Cloud by Jenny Oldfield
| Storm Cloud by Jenny Oldfield | |
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| Category: Dyslexia Friendly | |
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Reviewer: Sue Magee
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| Summary: Horse-loving tweenage girls are going to love this story set in the Rocky Mountains. It's dyslexia friendly too. Recommended. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 80 | Date: August 2017 |
| Publisher: Barrington Stoke | |
| External links: Author's website | |
| ISBN: 978-1781126899 | |
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Kami Miller was invited to stay at Wolf Ridge Farm, the home of her best friend Macy Lucas, for the summer. They were both going to be working as real cowgirls and there was a herd of 300 cows to be brought back from the mountains to the ranch. It wasn't going to be easy work, particularly as Macy's father was recovering from an accident and couldn't ride. All the pressure of running the ranch has fallen on Macy's brother, Wes - and he's not coping well. Kami's upset that he's taking it out on one of the young colts, Storm Cloud, but what can she do about it?
Jenny Oldfield catches the feel of the Rocky Mountains and the excitement of being a cowgirl perfectly. She's brilliant too with atmosphere: I was seriously worried for Storm Cloud when Wes was 'training' him, but Oldfield makes the point that there is no need to be cruel to train an animal: breaking an animal's spirit is not what a good rancher wants. There is a happy ending, with the message that you should know all the facts before you make a judgement.
You might be wondering about the low page count. Well the book is dyslexia friendly and is aimed at children who, for whatever reason, are struggling with reading. The paper on which the story is printed is thick so that there's no chance of whatever's on the reverse showing through, which can be a distraction. For the same reason the paper has a matt finish - shiny paper can make reading more difficult - and it has a creamy-yellow colouring which is easier on the eye. The font - one specifically designed by Barrington Stoke - is double spaced and not justified (so you don't lose your place quite so easily). Even people who are not dyslexic - and particularly reluctant readers - will find that all these factors make reading easier.
This book has a reading age of eight and an interest age of nine plus and you could probably extend this into the early teens. But are early teens and upper tweens going to want to be seen reading the book? Well, there's a 'super readable' sticker on the cover which peels off easily and there is then nothing to distinguish this from a book published by a mass-market publisher. The cover is stunning and the author is well known and respected. What's not to like? I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to the Bookbag.
For more from Jenny Oldfield and the Rocky Mountains, have a look at Blue Moon and it's dyslexia friendly too.
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You can read more book reviews or buy Storm Cloud by Jenny Oldfield at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
You can read more book reviews or buy Storm Cloud by Jenny Oldfield at Amazon.com.
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