Lauren Brooke

A recent and already highly popular addition to the pony author stable. USA based writer. Best known for the Heartland series of books which are set on a special horse rehabilitation centre.

Lauren was born in the USA and was brought up on a ranch in Virgina, learning to ride from a very early age. She now lives in the UK and is married to a vet, which possibly explains the high content of veterinary and health issues in her Heartland series.

One of the few authors to feature alternative equine training and healing methods. (Another series if you are interested in alternative techniques in the Horse Healer series by Judy Waite) They also combine teenage issues with horsy ones, so appealing to that age group in particular.

Her books are all still in print and are some of the most popular books amongst the teen pony book reading market.

Heartland Series
Modern USA series of pony books about a girl called Amy Fletcher and set on a special horse rehabilitation centre in the USA. One of the few series to feature alternative equine training and healing methods - such as the Monty Roberts 'join-up' technique and T-Touch massage.

Central to the story is Amy's relationship with her older sister and also the burgeoning romance between her and the stable helper Ty. Romance does seem a pre-requisite in modern pony books!

To read detailed summaries of each book click here

Click here to read reviews of the books in the series

All published in paperback by SCHOLASTIC

1) COMING HOME
(SCHOLASTIC 2000)

2) AFTER THE STORM
(SCHOLASTIC 2000)

3) BREAKING FREE
(SCHOLASTIC 2000)

4) TAKING CHANCES
(SCHOLASTIC 2001)

5) COME WHAT MAY
(SCHOLASTIC 2001)

6) ONE DAY YOU'LL KNOW
(SCHOLASTIC 2001)

7) OUT OF THE DARKNESS
(SCHOLASTIC 2001)

8) THICKER THAN WATER
(SCHOLASTIC 2002)

9) EVERY NEW DAY
(SCHOLASTIC 2002)

10) TOMORROW'S PROMISE
(SCHOLASTIC 2002)

11) TRUE ENOUGH
(SCHOLASTIC 2003)

12) SOONER OR LATER
(SCHOLASTIC 2003)

13) DARKEST HOUR
(SCHOLASTIC 2003)

14) EVERYTHING CHANGES
(SCHOLASTIC)

15) LOVE IS A GIFT
(SCHOLASTIC)

16) HOLDING FAST
(SCHOLASTIC 2004)

17) A SEASON OF HOPE
SCHOLASTIC 2004)

18) NEW BEGINNINGS
(SCHOLASTIC 2004)

19) FROM THIS DAY ON
SCHOLASTIC 2005)

20) ALWAYS THERE
(SCHOLASTIC 2005)

Heartland Specials:
There are also a number of 'specials' which do not follow the chronological time-line of the series but are related to it.

AMY'S JOURNAL
(SCHOLASTIC)

WINTER MEMORIES/A HOLIDAY MEMORY
(SCHOLASTIC)

BEYOND THE HORIZON
(SCHOLASTIC)

A SUMMER TO REMEMBER
(SCHOLASTIC)

Collectors Info:
The books are all paperback editions. All are still in print, although not  always easy to find in bookshops. The internet is the best source for both new and used copies. The later ones in the series are much harder to find second-hand, as are the specials.

Chestnut Hill Series
This series is still in progress. It features a special boarding school where riding is one of the most important subjects on the curriculum! (Wish I could have studied it at my school.) I think there may also be others being produced in the future.

For more info about the series click here

Click here to read reviews of the books in the series

All published in paperback by SCHOLASTIC

1) THE NEW CLASS

2) MAKING STRIDES

3) HEART OF GOLD

4) PLAYING FOR KEEPS

5) THE SCHEME TEAM
aka TEAM SPIRIT
Published as TEAM SPIRIT in the UK

6) ALL OR NOTHING

7) CHASING DREAMS

8) A TIME TO REMEMBER

9) HELPING HANDS

10) RACING HEARTS

11) A CHANCE TO SHINE

12) FAR AND AWAY


Collectors Info:
All in print and easy to find new in the UK and USA. Second hand copies can be picked up quite cheaply on ebay and Amazon marketplace.