Sweet, Tart

Sweet, Tart is a heartfelt chapter book for readers aged 4-11 that gently explores themes of grief, healing, and resilience through the eyes of eleven-year-old Halle. After witnessing the tragic death of a racehorse, Halle struggles with anxiety and sadness. Her journey towards healing begins when she connects with Rocky, the deceased horse's grieving pony, at a local stable. As Halle cares for Rocky, their bond helps both of them process their loss. The story takes an adventurous turn when Halle discovers the stables are threatened by developers, prompting her to find her voice and fight for what she believes in. This book is an excellent resource for discussing loss, empathy, and finding strength in unexpected friendships.

After witnessing the tragic death of a racehorse, eleven-year-old Halle finds herself caring for the horse's best friend, a grieving pony named Rocky. A heart-tugging story of patience, love, and hope. Halle thinks starting sixth grade in a brand-new school might help her forget about what happened at the racetrack. But she's wrong. She can't sleep at night because when she closes her eyes, she sees the last moments of Carver D'esprit, a horse who died the day Halle went to watch the races with her family. When Halle learns Carver came from nearby Oak Creek Stables, she is compelled to go there and learn more about him. The owner introduces her to Carver's best friend, a pony named Rocky. Rocky is standoffish at first, but as Halle cares for him, they both begin to open up. When Halle finds out that Oak Creek Stables is suddenly on the verge of being sold to a housing developer, she feels everything slipping out from under her--what will happen to the horses, to Rocky, and to the memory of Carver D'esprit? This heartfelt story of loss and light follows Halle as she experiences the interconnectedness of endings and beginnings and learns that love still multiplies, even during grief.