Quincy and Buck

In the third book of the Quincy the Horse series, a red horse named Quincy discovers that life can get complicated. Quincy wants to try trail riding in the desert but he is afraid of the wild animals he might encounter. When he takes the chance to go on a ride, the real challenge comes from the horse he seeks out for a trail buddy. Buck, the experienced horse he hopes will be a guide, is a bully. Quincy learns important things about dealing with bullies and ultimately falls back on his own strengths to make it home safely.

The tale takes young readers on a very real ride, feeling the sun on their backs, hearing the crunch of Quincy’s hooves in the sand wash, and seeing the ominous late afternoon shadows as the sun begins to set. Illustrator Michelle Black’s always vibrant paintings set the scene of the high desert Southwest, capture the essence of Buck the bully, and depict the ups and downs of Quincy’s struggles. This offering provides a framework for helping children identify and deal with the emotions and interactions involved in confronting a bully and conquering fear. K-4th grade.