Reviewed by Alice DiNizo for Readers' Favorite

Allison Anderson and her mother move from urban Los Angeles to the California countryside. Both of them must grow accustomed to a different style of living while Allison's father travels extensively for business. Allison has always seen herself as a bit of a nerd as she must wear glasses to see and is skinny with long arms and legs. She is a freshman at the local high school where she makes friends with pretty Melanie and red-haired Robin who is an experienced horse person. Then Allison encounters, and is attracted to, fellow freshman Dave Caldera whose older brother Chris is a junior and whose wealthy father owns a huge nearby ranch. And then there is Gold, the undernourished stray horse, who Allison finds at the back of her property. Bit by bit, Allison draws close to Gold with offerings of carrots and apples and to her new friends who encourage her love of horses. But when Allison's father returns from his travels, he is not happy with Allison or with her choice of friends. Will Allison be able to adapt to parental control while keeping her new friendships, including her love of Gold, going?

"Bronze: The Glister Journals" is a well-written novel of teenagers and their world. It is also a story of horses and teenage horsemanship. The main character Allison is a totally delightful fourteen year old girl whose innocence and awkwardness is refreshing. Dave and Chris(Cris) Caldera, Robin and Melanie are good as supporting characters, and Allison's parents are believable in their initial strictness that eases as they get to know their neighbors and Allison's friends. The plight of Allison when she has to give gold back after knowing his identity will bring tears to most readers' eyes. "Bronze: The Glister Journals" is a good story that will be adored by teenagers who love horses and those teens who've never been near a horse.