In Costa Rica Abuela doesn’t live near a library either said Dani She convinced a shopkeeper to keep books in her store Now the villagers borrow books from the shop Dani is a lucky duck She visits our grandmother in Costa Rica all the time I wish we could do that here I said Instead of the girls coming to our cabin to borrow books they could go to the Green Canteen Charge everyone here a dollar to read your books Gabriela said 6
Carly picking up Bigfoot Returns You’ll be rich I yawned again and then held my hand out You’d owe me about fifteen dollars Carly set the book down fast and giggled Dani Carly Kianna and I are Pony Girls That means we’re first year campers here at Storm Cliff Stables It’s a summer camp for girls who love horses Carly pointed at me Don’t fall asleep during Bree’s lesson 7
Bree is one of the twelve-year-old campers Over the winter she fell off her horse and hurt her shoulder She doesn’t ride anymore Instead she helps Aunt Jane take care of the horses and all the other animals Aunt Jane owns Storm Cliff She’s not our real aunt Everyone just calls her that Being a Pony Girl means you’re a barn rat too Aunt Jane says it’s one of the most important jobs a Pony Girl has A barn rat hangs out in the stables and helps take care of the 8
horses Bree has taught us how to groom and pick out their hooves If you fall asleep said Carly we’ll have to muck out Duke’s stall for you I won’t fall asleep I said But if I did Bigfoot could muck out my stall laughed But Kianna didn’t She bit her lip Bigfoot sounds scary Carly and Dani Esha Bree’s friend swung around on her bench She was eating the last of a fruit tart right out of the tin Who sounds scary 9
