Folly is the only one who sees the shimmer of her mother’s spirit. Since her mum died, Folly has kept to herself and her school friends drifted away from her. At
least she still has Tooth – her best friend in the whole world, who just happens to be a horse.
Just like her mum’s shimmers, no one would believe she can have conversations with Tooth. Tooth says all horses can talk, it’s just that most people aren’t listening. Tooth was the one Folly talked to the entire time her mum was sick, and through all the difficult time afterwards. And Tooth is the only one she shares her plans with about leaving.
Her dad’s girlfriend Audrey is around more and more, and Folly’s little brother really likes her. But Folly feels like she is being disloyal to her mum’s memory if she lets Audrey take over things. When Dad has news for her about Audrey and their future, Folly is unhappy about it.
Taking her mum’s ashes, packing a bag and the supplies she will need, Folly saddles up Tooth, and sets off on a journey. She’d learnt about a special place at the top of New Zealand. A special place she could take her mum’s ashes. Sure in her plan and angry at her father, Folly is determined to reach it with Tooth.
Her plans go awry here and there, she meets interesting people, and gets caught up in a dangerous drug deal, but Tooth remains at her side, no matter what.
If you see this book cover (isn’t it gorgeous) and think horse story, Ride North is so much more than that.
There is a horse in this New Zealand tale, but not as you would think. Tooth is a horse with a special bond with his 12 yr old girl and best friend, as they talk to each other. Tooth is wise, funny, clever and incredibly loyal. So loyal in fact it brought tears to my eyes in the exciting finale of this middle grade novel.
Main character Folly tells the story of her and Tooth’s adventure and quest, to take her mum’s ashes somewhere meaningful. Folly shares her journey and the time before it, explaining why she is setting off alone with Tooth, without even leaving a note.
Folly is an authentic 12 yr old on the page, making me smile and wince in equal measure throughout their adventure. The characters she meets along the way are all interesting people, portraying different ways of life, personality and nature.
Ride North will make a perfect Read Aloud in the classroom, at bedtime, and for animal lovers all over the world.
Author – Maria de Jong
Age – 9+
(2025, Andersen Press UK, Harper Collins, Animals, Adventure, Family, Growing up, Crime, Grief, Humour, Horse, Bond, Trust, Courage, NZ, Aotearoa New Zealand, Beach, Ninety Mile Beach, Cape Reinga, Northland NZ, Journey, Trek, Drug dealers, Danger, Kidnap, Gun, Mum passed away)