HOME SCHOOL BOOK REVIEW
Book: Quincy Moves to the Desert
Author: Camille Matthews
Illustrator: Michelle Black
Publisher: Pathfinder Equine Publications, 2011
ISBN-13: 978-0-9819240-1-4
Related website: www.quincythehorse.com (series)
Language level: 1
(1=nothing objectionable; 2=common euphemisms and/or childish slang terms; 3=some cursing or profanity; 4=a lot of cursing or profanity; 5=obscenity and/or vulgarity)
Reading level: Ages 4-9
Rating: 5 stars (EXCELLENT)
Reviewed by Wayne S. Walker
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Matthews, Camille. Quincy Moves to the Desert (published in 2011 by Pathfinder Equine Publications LLC, 243 N. Garfield Rd., Mohrsville, PA 19541). Have you ever been to the desert? If not, what do you think it would be like? Quincy is a little red horse who lives in a tan and white barn with many other horses including his best friend Beau, an old brown horse. Quincy and Beau’s owner is a woman named Cam who comes to ride them almost every day. One day a huge truck comes, and Beau tells Quincy that they are going on a big trip to the desert. On their way from New York to New Mexico, Beau tells Quincy about the draft horses of the Amish in Pennsylvania, the Thoroughbred race horses of Kentucky, and the American Quarterhorses of the Texas rodeos, among others. But what will they find when they get to the desert in New Mexico?
In this sequel to Quincy Finds a New Home, which introduced young readers to Quincy the horse, author Camille Matthews tells a fun story of adventure, friendship, and hope. She also provides a lot of interesting information about different kinds of horses, which would complement a scientific study of these animals, and about the various states through which Quincy and Beau travel, which fits well with a study of American geography and history. The colorful illustrations by Michelle Black include paintings of the different horse breeds mentioned and a couple of maps to help in following the two horse friends’ trip. Children can learn with Quincy of all the things horses can do and maybe even dream about their own possibilities.