Spud & Charli
Charli has always dreamed of learning to ride a horse, and attending riding camp feels like the perfect opportunity. Excitement quickly turns to disappointment, however, when another camper chooses the horse Charli had set her heart on. Instead of riding the beautiful palomino she admired, she is paired with Spud, a large former racehorse who seems nothing like what she imagined.
As Charli settles into camp life, she also finds herself worried about the bats that emerge each evening, filling the sky overhead. The unfamiliar surroundings, unexpected challenges and new friendships make the experience far different from what she had expected.
But when a sudden emergency puts lives at risk, Charli must find the courage to face her fears and discover strengths she never knew she had.
A heartwarming adventure about resilience, friendship and stepping outside your comfort zone, Spud & Charli explores the power of courage in the face of the unexpected.
“With the news focusing on the danger that can come from mixing bats with horses, it’s nice to see a book set the record straight for us. Samantha Wheeler has taken a serious topic and told it in a way that children are able to connect with."
- The Gold Coast Bulletin
"Highly recommended. Younger readers will love reading of Charli’s time at the camp, getting to know her horse and learning how to look after him. It is refreshing to see a story where the protagonist is less than perfect and makes mistakes which she then needs to resolve by herself. [An] engaging story"
- Lamont Books
“A horse story with a difference. Hendra virus adds a realness and urgency to the storyline. An entertaining story, with important information for horse lovers and a wildlife conservation message."
- Magpies
"I love that Samantha Wheeler has tackled a complex issue like this in a way that makes it accessible to younger readers."
- Kids’ Book Review