Alice-Miranda on Vacation by Jacqueline Harvey, 2010

Seven-and-a-half year old Alice-Miranda is home from boarding school, and she is making a splash. She brings her friend Jacinta with her to a wonderful mansion that is their playground during the school break. She has no qualms about letting anyone know what she thinks, but in a matter-of-fact, somewhat super-humanly polite way. She seems oblivious to intended or unintended slights from others, and she is completely adorable. Alice-Miranda has an uncanny ability to never take anything personally.

She loves riding her pony Bonaparte, whom she can't quite call Bony still, since he has gained weight. She took him for a gallivant through the land to visit Granny, but he happens to find his way into the cabbage patch, and he gets sick with colic. With Jacinta, Lucas, and Jasper, Alice-Miranda finds a way to fill her days with fun, lightness, and interesting adventures.

Alice-Miranda on Vacation by Jacqueline Harvey

Horses & My Namesake: When I saw the cover of this book on display in the Mulberry Street Library, I could not resist it, because, I'm sorry, my namesake on the cover? Wearing a horseback riding hat? On vacation? After I turned over the book and found Alice-Miranda with her curly hair fully attired in riding gear, I knew that I had to read this book. Don't worry, one of my favorite activities when I am not at the library is gallivanting through the forest on horseback; that, and playing with my cats. The Alice-Miranda series books are fun, relaxing reads.

• Horse Fiction for Kids 
• Jacqueline Harvey's website