Ride North

Maria de Jong

Tooth is my pony, but he’s his own boss. I take care of him and in exchange he lets me ride him. I wasn’t surprised when Tooth first communicated with me. All I knew was that with Tooth, it was different. I loved him the minute I saw him. Of course we understood each other.

Twelve-year-old Folly is angry and grieving for her mum. She isn't ready for Dad's plans for a new life in Auckland with his new girlfriend. So Folly runs away with the one friend who truly understands: her wise pony, Tooth. With her mother's ashes in her backpack, Folly sets off to the fabled Cape Reinga, the northernmost point of New Zealand. Through tourist towns and wilderness, across beaches, roads and forest tracks, Folly and Tooth find both adventure and hardship. But then a spur-of-the-moment choice sets danger on their tail. Girl and horse must fight to survive together – to the very end of the road.

Cover art by Sian James

Reviews

"A gripping tale of survival … gritty and lyrical in all the right places"
The Times, Children’s Book of the Week

"Mixes pathos with the spirit of adventure"
The Bookseller

"A wise and surreal adventure… has moments of both hilarity and pain"
The Bookseller, Buyer's Guide

"A wonderful coming-of-age story with hope at its heart"
Booktrust

"I loved this: funny, quirky, exciting and moving. Folly and Tooth are a great double-act. If you’re a horse person you’ll adore it; if you’re not a horse person, it’ll turn you into one"
Anthony McGowan