sewn paper
e-mail the Author
Young Adult (Equine)
Fall 1999
256 pages
ISBN 0-88984-207-8
$14.95
Readers who are interested
in Abby Malone may also
be interested in
Dancer
(1996)
Abby Malone
Shelley Peterson
Her first novel, Dancer, continues to be a Canadian bestseller and now Shelley Peterson
brings you her eagerly-awaited second novel, Abby Malone.
Abby is a young teenager striving to make things work out right.
Animals - a coyote, twin baby raccoons, a speedy bay mare named Moonlight Sonata - are things
she can handle, but the human world is a more confusing and dangerous place.
Abby Malone sits at her desk in a sweltering classroom in June and daydreams
about the beautiful mare across the road. Before we know it, she's out the window,
`borrowing' the mare and rounding up the neighbour's escaped cows, adding another black
mark to her record of bad behaviour at school.
Things are not easy at home: an alcoholic mother and an incarcerated father add to her
ever-present fear of eviction, yet Abby doggedly tries to make the best of every situation.
`All my problems are with humans,' she tells her raccoons.
But not all humans are bad; Pete and Laura Pierson, the elderly farm couple who
live beside the school, give her assistance, encouragement and support
while Abby tackles a mystery, falls in love, and competes in a
perilous steeplechase.
This is a fast-paced story that takes the reader on an
unforgettable journey of heartache and personal triumph.
`Obviously an animal-lover, Peterson writes with warmth and understanding of
animals and their emotions and of those who are able to respond to them. In doing so,
she has designed a compelling and suspenseful story that is difficult to set aside
once it is begun. And in her title character, Abby Malone, Peterson has fashioned
a bewitching young girl whose intelligence and resilience do justice to this
tautly woven tale. ...
`Sprightly Abby Malone has a charm reminiscent of L.M. Montgomery's young girls,
of such intrepid problem-solvers as Jane of Lantern Hill and Sara Stanley of
The Story Girl and The Golden Road. She combines an adventurous spirit
with sensitivity, common sense and a good degree of feisty courage. Abby is a memorable
character, well drawn by Peterson, whose knowledge of young people and animals
is noteworthy.' - London Free Press
`Abby Malone is a very likeable main character in very challenging circumstances,
but occasionally displays human weaknesses that make her more believable. She lives in a world
of both peers and adults all too willing to put her down. She is so likeable that naturally she does
have at least one good friend her own age and attracts the protection of some kindly older adults.
Not only are horses key characters, but so also is a coyote and to a lesser degree
other animals.' The Rider
`Abby Malone has a favourite dream in which she pictures herself on a beautiful little mare,
winning the local Caledon steeplechase competition and being congratulated by her idol. In reality
though, Abby's life couldn't be worse. Her father is imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit,
her family is out of money, and her mother has taken to drink. But Abby is not alone; with the caring
attention of her elderly neighbours and her faithful pet coyote, she bravely faces life. Abby
doggedly overcomes all obstacles, not only achieving her dream but reversing the family fortunes
as well. ...
`As in her first novel, Dancer (1996), Shelley Peterson
tells a horse story and skilfully mixes elements of mystery, suspense, romance and family drama
to create an exciting read. Although there is no doubt that there will be a happy ending,
it is fun to find out how Abby will manage it. Young-adult readers will relate to Abby's passion
as well as to her frustration with authority and the injustice that she experiences. ...
`Abby Malone is written in the style of classic children's stories, with ... old-fashioned
charm [that] is both endearing and enduring. This well-produced book is a ``must-have'' for all
school and library collections. Highly recommended.' - Canadian Book Review Annual
Photo by Barbara Hotson
Born in London, Ontario, Shelley Peterson is the second of six children of Don and Joyce Mathews. She was trained in Theatre Arts at the Banff School of Performing Arts, Dalhousie University, and University of Western Ontario. Her first theatrical appearance was in a production of Pinocchio at the Grand Theatre at the age of ten. Her professional career began at age nineteen in a production at the Neptune Theatre in Halifax. Since then she has played over one hundred roles in television, film and on stage.
Shelley has had a lifelong love of animals, big and small, with a particular interest in horses. She has ridden since she was a girl, and holds the trophy for the Caledon Steeplechase Team Event.
Take a virtual tour of Shelley's farm, Fox Ridge!