Starlight, Star Bright

By Janet Muirhead Hill

11-year-old Miranda Stevens secretly trains Starlight, the 3-year-old black stallion, whose wounds have healed. Miranda rides him and proves that he is the fastest horse Shady Hills Ranch has ever seen. But she must keep it secret. If his owner, Cash Taylor, finds out, he will never let Miranda buy him. When Starlight throws others who try to ride him, Miranda's hopes rise only to fall again.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Raven Publishing of Montana
• Release date: Mar 31, 2010
• ISBN: 9780982089361

Janet Muirhead Hill

Janet Muirhead Hill is the author of thirteen published novels for children ages 8-18. She co-authored curriculum units to adapt the novels for use in classrooms and home schools.Hill has presented many writing and publishing workshops across the state and in Colorado and Oregon. She is available to present workshops to fit one, two, three, four, or five days of instruction depending on the needs and time schedules of her sponsors and students. She has conducted many one-day school visits in Montana and Colorado, and has plans for longer residencies. She wrote and published comprehensive workbooks for use with her three, four, and five-day writing workshops. She is listed in the Artist's Registry of the Montana Arts Council.Her published children’s and young adult novels include the award-winning Miranda and Starlight series of eight (soon to be nine) books, Danny’s Dragon, a Story of Wartime Loss, winner of the Eric Hoffer Award, and a trilogy about twins, separated at a young age and searching for each other. Kyleah’s Tree, a finalist for both the High Plains Book Award and USA Book News, Best Book Award, is the the girl twin's story. It's companion novel, Kendall's Storm, silver medal winner of the Moonbeam Award, is the boy twin's story. Kendall and Kyleah, is the third book of the series completes their story. Her book, Call Me Captain has been renamed, The Body in the Freezer, and is a story about a 13-year-old rich kid who is both smart, and smart-mouthed searching for his place in the world—and finding when forced to "volunteer" in a homeless shelter.Hill calls the writing she does “true fiction,” because, she says, “My goal is to tell the truth about the human experience, its dilemmas, natural responses, and emotions through fictional characters; characters children relate to; characters who will help them better understand themselves, giving them comfort and encouragement in their own lives.”Ms. Hill spends much of her free time enjoying the outdoors, her horses, and most of all her family, which includes eight grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. She writes and publishes from her home office in rural Montana near the Madison River.

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What kids told the author about this and other Starlight books:

I got the book Starlight, Star Bright. It is my favorite so far. My brother hates horses, but Loves your books, so I think you made a great accomplishment. I want you to write ten billion books. I did a report on Miranda and Starlight and got an A+. Thank you sooooooo much for the books. I’m looking forward to reading your future books.

— Jessica, age 9, Massachusettes

I loved your books because I always read all horse stories but yours were better than most. Your series was more sophisticated (both in writing and in character development) than most. I liked specifically how you give the Miranda and the characters challenges that don’t have very obvious solutions. It’s more like real life, not all tied up in bow. It makes me want to keep reading them and I think they will make a very good movie.

—Celeste, Age 13, Saratoga, CA

I want to write and tell you how much I love your Starlight books. I’m 13 years old and have been riding since I was born. I can really relate to Miranda. I am going through the same things that she has with friends. I can’t wait for more of your books.

— Brooke, Age 13, Plain City, UT

Before I read Miranda and Starlight, I hated reading. Your books have changed my life. Last night I read Starlight’s Shooting Star for three hours and it felt like five minutes. You have a gift, and never stop writing books. — Katie, age 11, Dallas TX

Adults like them too:

I marvel at the depth of the plot in your series of the Starlight books. They have been enjoyed by young and old in my family. Keep on writing.

— A Montana mother and grandmother

Ms. Hill has written another wonderful installment to her series. Starlight, Star Bright brings new adventures and heartaches to Miranda Stevens that keeps you turning the page and wondering what will happen next. These fast paced, adventure packed books gets better with each installment. With true to life characters and beautiful illustrations, Starlight, Star Bright is one of the best young adult books on the market today.

— KeepItComing.com

This is the third book in a series about young Miranda Stevens and Starlight. Starlight is a three-year-old black stallion that has recently healed from serious leg wounds. Very little is mentioned about school or classmates in the book this time. The author focuses more on dealing with the problems of racism. Janet Muirhead Hill does an excellent job in showing that skin color does not matter. In fact, the author the shows how petty it makes many adults seem. The book is perfect for anyone age eight or up who loves horses. It is clearly written out in a way young readers can easily understand and relate to. This is one exceptional series! — Detra Fitch, HUNTRESS REVIEWS

Starlight, Star Bright

by Janet Muirhead Hill

Smashwords Edition: © 2010 Janet Muirhead Hill

Cover Illustration © 2003 Pat Lehmkuhl

Print edition copyright: 2003

Illustrated print edition available at many fine stores, www.ravenpublishing.com and http://www.amazon.com/

Published by:

Raven Publishing, Inc

PO Box 2866

Norris, Montana

www.ravenpublishing.net

E-mail: [e-mail]

Publishers note: This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and events are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to any person, place, or event is coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this book, text or illustrations, may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Dedicated to Heather Hickman

Who, after reading Miranda and Starlight and Starlight’s Courage,

said, Grandma, you have to write more.

Acknowledgement:

Many thanks to Buck Brannaman,

horse trainer and author of The Faraway Horses,

for permission to use his name in this book.

Chapter One

Starlight, star bright, first star I see tonight.

The fervent tone in Elliot's tremulous voice told Miranda that this was more than a mere game to him. She studied his profile lifted toward the evening sky. Long-lashed eyelids slowly closed over his blue-gray eyes. His delicate nose lightly sprinkled with freckles, his oval face and little pointed chin gave him such a vulnerable appearance that she wanted to wrap him in her arms. She resisted the urge.

I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight, he continued in the soft British accent she adored.

Elliot kept his eyes closed for a long moment after he finished speaking. Miranda kept quiet until he looked up at the sky. Several more stars had come out and a crescent moon peaked over the distant hills.

What did you wish for?

I can’t tell you. You know it won’t come true if I do.

Who told you that?

Mum. We wished on the first star we could see from our garden every night. Elliot’s voice cracked and he fell silent.

What if I already know? Miranda asked, hoping to take his mind off his loss. His precious Mum had died less than a year ago.

How could you?

I just do.

You don’t! After a pause he added, But if you do, don’t say it. It might jinx it, and I want it really bad.

I won’t then, and I hope the stars can make it come true, Miranda said.

I think he's wishing for a horse of his own. He had told her once, that if he had his very own horse, he might not miss his mother quite so much. She hoped he'd get one on his seventh birthday next week. His grandfather and guardian, Cash Taylor, could certainly afford to give him one. She wondered if she should suggest it, or if the request would just bring out his stubbornness. The old man didn't seem to like advice, especially from an eleven-year-old. At least finally let him ride.

Miranda was proud that Mr. Taylor asked her to look after Elliot while he went to a school board meeting. Shady Hills Ranch and Stables had become a second home to her. Starlight, her favorite horse in the world, lived here. And she'd come to love Elliot like a little brother. He was a beautiful child—inside as well as out. She'd never known anyone so honest.

Elliot sighed. Miranda saw that he was still gazing at the sky. She took his small hand in hers and said, Pretty, isn’t it. It’s fun to see the stars come out, just slowly appearing and getting brighter.

Do you think Mum is up there, watching me? Elliot asked.

I suppose she is, Miranda said, though she had no idea what became of a person when they died. She'd heard too many theories to decide which she believed. Maybe my dad is too.

Miranda had never known her father, but missed him, none-the-less. According to Adam, who claimed he knew him in the navy, her dad had died at sea in an attempt to save another sailor. Elliot gripped her hand tighter and they sat in silence.

Miranda knew this would be a very difficult birthday for Elliot. She wondered what she could do to make it easier. She thought of her own birthday two months earlier. She didn’t want his to be like that.

Grandma had invited all the kids from her class for a surprise party. It had turned out awkward and embarrassing. The boys, other than her friend Christopher, hadn’t known what to do and clearly didn’t like the games Grandma had planned. The girls, except for Laurie, were critical of the old farmhouse and Miranda’s small bedroom.

You mean you only have one bathroom in your house? Stephanie had asked. I have one connected to my room, which is about three times the size of yours.

Like Elliot, her greatest wish had been for a horse of her own. She had secretly hoped that Grandpa would buy Starlight from Mr. Taylor. She had dreamed of finding him in their barn on the morning of her birthday. She had a hard time hiding her disappointment when she opened her gift from her grandparents. It was beautiful: a music box with a black horse inside a glass globe that filled with glittering snow when turned upside down. She had swallowed her disappointment and decided, if I’m ever going to own Starlight I must earn him myself. I won’t give up until he’s mine.

She believed Elliot longed for a horse as much as she did. It didn’t matter that there were horses available to ride. Grownups didn't understand the importance of having your very own horse, one that couldn't be taken from you. She wasn’t sure if Elliot had picked out a particular horse, as she had, but she had heard him talking to a beautiful sorrel mare named Sunny. She understood how comforting it is to tell a horse your troubles. Horses might not understand the words, but they seem to know the feelings behind them.

It was nice that Mr. Taylor allowed her to spend every spare moment with him, but she had no control over his future. That seemed unfair considering that Mr. Taylor gave up on him when he nearly died from injuries, and Miranda had to fight for his life. Now that's he's recovered and doesn't even limp, Mr. Taylor wants to use him.

When Adam Barber told her that Mr. Taylor told him to start training Starlight, her blood boiled with anger. He doesn't know I've been training him. If he did, he'd tell me to stay away from him.

He's going on three years old, so Taylor's chomping at the bit for me to get him ready for racing season, Adam had told her yesterday. I don't know when I'm supposed to find the time, but I'd better get it done.

Most thoroughbreds were running races by his age, but because of his injuries, it had been impossible to start his formal training on schedule.

I’ll train him, she’d sputtered.

You? No way! Adam had scoffed. Don’t even think of trying to ride him. You’re not a horse trainer. You could ruin him for racing. You’ve already turned him into such a pet that making a racehorse out of him will be a challenge. Besides, you can’t trust a stallion. He’s not a kids’ horse so forget that idea!

Miranda wished Adam had never come to Shady Hills.

When Higgins, who had been a groom and