As Winnie teaches her horses about unconditional love and blind trust, God shows Winnie that he can be trusted too. Readers will be hooked on the vivid characters in this series, whose quirky personalities fill Winnie's life with friendship and adventure. In #2 Eager Star, Winnie learns something about people as well as horses when she begins to value the power of praise and encouragement.

What Readers Have to Say About Eager Star...

Send us Your Thoughts about this book!  You may see them on this page.

"Oh my gosh - this is the greatest book ever!  I've read a whole bunch of your books.  They rock!  Thank you for writing them.  By the way, is Towaco's name pronounced 'to-wa-co' or 'ta-co' (kinda like the food)?  My friend and I are debating that.  Thanx!" ~ Lynx lvr

[A Note from Dandi:]  Hi!  I'm glad you liked the book.  Towaco is pronounced "to-WAH-ko".

"Winnie - I just read the first chapter of Eager Star and it sounds exciting!  And guess what?  When I buy it, I'll have all the Winnie The Horse Gentler books! Cool, huh?" ~ Horse Lover, Emily

"Keep up the excellent work, Mrs. Mackall!  Also, I love how Winnie learns that people need praise... along with animals!  A lot of people need to know that!" ~HorseCrazy!~

"I LUV 'Eager Star'!  I'm glad that Winnie helped Grant learn to praise his horse and that she decided to let him ride.  I prefer riding English, but I think barrel racing sounds exciting!  I thought it was funny when Winnie rode Nickers backwards!  I probably would have immediately fallen off - either that or jumped off on purpose.  And Star is NOT a lemon!  Who cares about his bloodlines - if he can race or any of that stuff?  He's a horse!  Love your books!" ~ Horse Crazy Brianna

"I loved this book - it was great!  But,  sorry to say that the horse on the cover is not a quarter horse." ~ 100% horse crasy

[Editor's Note:]  I don't have the book in front of me at the moment, so I'm not sure, but you may be right.  Sometimes the artists have to use whatever is available that best fits in with the style of the other illustrations.  They may have had to use some "poetic license" with this one, because it was the closest that they could find, while still maintaining the general look and feel of the series.

"I just love 'Eager Star'!  I'm glad that Winnie decided to let Grant ride.  Grant's dad made me kind of mad when he said that Star was a lemon and his son couldn't ride!  As far as I'm concerned, a horse's worth has nothing to do with his bloodlines, racing ability, or any of that showy stuff.  Eager Star's worth something because he's a horse!" ~ Horse Crazy Brianna

[A Note from Dandi:]  Well said, Brianna!

"I never knew what barrel racing really was, until I read this book."

"After I got done reading 'Eager Star', I hoped that this would teach people that it isn't always about winning - it's about the fun you have doing it.  And, it's great to know learn more about your horse, too." ~ Sheila

[A Note from Dandi:]  Also well said!

"This book was GREAT!  I love bays and I think it was really neat how Winnie gentled Eager Star!" ~ Horse Lover

"I really liked this book and this series is my favorite!  I love it so much.  'Eager Star' was my favorite book, but they are all so good.  I have not read the two newest ones yet.  I screamed when I saw that there were two new books!  Love your books!"

"Hey, Winnie and Dandi!  I just TOTALLY love this book!  I really like Quarter horses, so this one was among my favorites in your series!  I really like how Winnie was just fretting over IF she could get Star to win the race... and IF she could become popular.  God totally revealed to her that He's not sitting at the finish line, wondering, 'I sure hope Winnie's horse wins!  I sure hope I don't have to see her behind someone else!'  No.  He was racing along WITH her. ~ HorseCrazy ~

"Thanks, HorseCrazy!  You did a great job on 'Amazing Splendor', too!  I look forward to reading the rest of it!" ~ Horse Crazy Brianna

"I just LUV 'Eager Star'.  There is a horse at the stable where I ride, who is kind of like Eager Star; he is really eager to please.  The horse's name is Grahm and he's a Palomino.  He's so sweet and responds to every little signal you give him, so I try not to be to rough on his mouth.  I think the reason Grahm's so obedient is because his former owners always punished him if he didn't do exactly what he was supposed to!  But, sometimes Grahm is a little TOO obedient (i.e. - one time a girl was trotting on him, turned him towards the gate and he jumped it!!)  WRITE MORE BOOKS!!" 
~ Horse Crazy Brianna

"Brianna... good story! (See the Horse Talk pages on this site.)" 
~ HorseCrazy

"[Eager Star] was awesome.  The Winnie The Horse Gentler series rocks."
~ Ali

"I LUV this book!  Grant kind of made me mad, but I was glad when he learned to praise Star more.  I got mad at Grant's dad AND 'Spider', too.  I hate it when people think a horse is no good, just because he's not the best at barrel racing!  Thanx!" ~ Horse crazy Brianna

"Winnie!  I tried starting a thread on the message board, but they won't let me!  What do I do?  I have to go right now, but I'll be back later!" 
~ Love, E. HorseCrazy

[Editor's Note:]  Hi, E. Horsecrazy!  I started a new  topic on the Nickers and Neighs message board for you.  It's called Eowyn Horsecrazy's Stable.  You can just use it as you would any of the topics.  Happy messaging!

"Hi, Dandi!  I love this book - especially since there's a horse named Star at the place where I ride.  I've been riding her up until now, but during my last two lessons I rode a Palomino named Graham.  He's such a sweet horse and is eager to please, just like Eager Star!  Keep on writing!!" 
~ **Horse Crazy Brianna**

"I thought that [Eager Star] was really neat because I luv to do barrel racing!!  I do it all the time!  I even have a quarter horse named 'Docs Keepen Time'.  He is a jet black color - so awesome!  I also enter him in all of the competitions that I can!  We either get 2nds or (mostly) 1sts!  Everyone says we r the best out there!  I also race Midnight.  He is a black thoroughbred stallion.  I wish that all horse luvers out there could see him.  He would take your breath away!  I do horseracing with him!   We always win!  Dandi - I was wondering if you would ever write a book in your series about thoroughbreds?  Please do!  Thanx!"

[A Note from Dandi:]  Thanks and I'm glad that you liked "Eager Star"!  I love thoroughbreds and if you like them, too, then you'll enjoy reading my Horsefeathers series.  It's all about thoroughbreds.

"I love this book!"

"Dandi... Thanks for the compliment and thank you for the suggestions!  I like the name Lancelot.  Also, I would probably never have started writing stories if I hadn't read your books.  You have been a wonderful example!  Thank you!" ~ E. HorseCrazy

"I LOVE this book!  I especially like it, because I ride a horse whose name is Star (Chief's Morning Star)!  She is the SWEETEST Morgan pony.  Thanx and KEEP WRITING!" ~ Horse lover Brianna

"Winnie and Mrs. Macall - I love this book, because you struggle to get Eager Star (by the way, that's a great name!) to do the correct leads and you finally realize that God isn't caring about how long the road is, or how heavy the ring is.  He's caring about the end!  Love the covers of ALL of your books!" ~ E. HorseCrazy!

"I know how Winnie feels about embarrassment.  But that doesn't always get her down!"

"I think 'Eager Star' is one of the best horse books I ever read.  Winnie, you're the best horse gentler ever."

"Dear Dandi - Keep writing Winnie books.  They are so much fun to read, especially when you're a horse fan and a believer in Christ.  They are inspiring."  ~ Kasey

"Hay, Winnie!  I LOVE your books, but I really liked this one.  We could use a few more horse-loving people like you, who really take the horse's needs into consideration!  If (WHEN) I get a horse, I'm going to try to handle her just like you handle your horses!  Real quick, how old is Eager Star?  And, I really wish someone would make your books into a movie." ~ HorseCrazy~

[A Note from Dandi:]  Thanks so much, Horsecrazy!  Eager Star is six years old.

"Winnie!...Thanks for the suggestions on names.  I love your books!!!!  How old is Eager Star?  And do you like the name Amazing Splendor?  I also would like it if you could suggest names for a snowy white stallion!" ~ Love, HorseCrazy

[A Note from Dandi:]  Glad you like the books!  I think that Amazing Splendor is an excellent name.  A snowy white stallion might be named Lancelot, Khamsin (wind), Silk or Zephyr - but personally, I like Amazing Splendor better!

"You are a really good writer, Dandi.  PLEASE write more Horsefeathers and Winnie books!" ~ Horsienas

"This is the book that I am reading and I hope that Winnie gets a business.  I can't wait to open that book!!"

"Hi Dandi -  I really loved the book 'Eager Star'.  I like quarter horses, so I was glad that one of my favorite breeds is in the series.  Even though they didn't win the barrel race....  I know that they won a bigger prize than anyone could ask for." 
~ Born-to-be-horse-lover, Megan

"Dear Dandi - I have some ideas for a horse club name for Hanna and Amelia.  How about, 'We Love Horses', 'Horses Forever', 'Horses for Life', 'Horses 4 God', 'Galloping Girls', 'Domino and Crash Bandicoot', or my favorite..... 'Horses and Harmony'." ~ Born-to-be-horse-lover, Megan

"[Eager Star] was awesome!  I have one question: what should I do if one of the horses I ride is constantly 'nibbling' (with his lips) when I lead him?  Thanks!" ~ A.

[A Note from Dandi:]  Hi - Glad you enjoyed "Eager Star"!  Every horse is different, but here are some ideas to try with your "nibbling" horse:  Choke up on the lead rope, not giving him any slack or room to turn his head and get his lips on you.  Another idea is to point your finger at his cheek, very close, so that when he turns his head to nip, his cheek runs into your extended finger.  He will be giving himself a little poke every time he turns his head to nip.  Pretty soon, if you're patient, he should get tired of that!

"I thought that 'Eager Star'' was a wonderful book!  She really is a wonderful looking horse.  Winnie is really good with the horses.  This was the best book I've ever read!" ~ Megan

"[Eager Star] was the best horse book I have ever read!!!  Dandi Daley Mackall is also the best horse author!"

"Winnie!  HELP!  GOT ANY IDEAS?  I really need some names for a palomino gelding.  I have always wanted a horse, but I can't think of a name for a sweet, intelligent palomino gelding for my story that I have to do for school.  He is a Quarter horse.  Got any ideas?" ~ In-a-hurry-HorseCrazy!~

[A Note From Winnie]  Hmmm... let's see...  Here are a few ideas, but you may want to think of one that comes from your heart and matches the horse's personality:  Diamond, Ginger Boy, Butternut, Copper, Diablo, Prince, Chinook, Lancelot.

"Winnie -  I have some ideas for Hanna and Amelia to name their club!  How about 'The Mustang Loverz' or 'Two Filly's 4 Him' or 'Horsesloverz 4 Jesus'?  Anyway, I love your books and I like how you got Grant's horse, Eager Star, to barrel race!  I really want a horse, but my dad's hung up on German Shepherds and my mom, sheep.  I like sheep, but I want a horse!  Can you tell me about the Nickers Message Board?" ~*HorseCrazy*~

[Editor's Note:]  Good suggestions!  And, you'll find a link to our Nickers & Neighs message board in the bottom right side of our home page.

"This is one of my favorite books.  It made me cry.  I loved the ending."

"I think 'Eager Star' is a great book and I would read it over and over again.  My mom bought me the first one and then the second and I LOVE the second one!"

"I love your books!  I'm so glad that I was able to find books about horses, a girl my age and God!  I ride a horse named Star, who I absolutely LUV.  She looks kind of like Eager Star!  She doesn't barrel race, though.  We do Hunters and jumping where I take riding lessons.  I hope you write more books - like 'Bold Beauty' - that have to do with Hunters or jumping.  Thanks!" ~ Brianna The Horse Luver

"Dear Winnie and Dandi -  I love this series so much!  It is so very rare when you see book about (1) a 12-year-old girl just like me, (2) horses and (3) God!  This was my favorite book in the series, because it helped me to be closer to God.  It also helped me to praise my horse more.  I have started to praise my horse every time he does something right.  My horse used to take advantage of me, by putting his head down.  It wasn't very comfortable.  Ever since I read this book I would praise him and he would put his head straight up!  He is doing so much better now and I love him to death!  Thank you so much for understanding everything, even though I don't really know you!" ~ Lauren

"I LOVE 'Eager Star'!  The funniest part was when Catman got Lizzy and Hawk to be barrels. How many horses does Winnie gentle?  Eager Star must have been really fast.  I've never ridden a barrel racer before.  It sounds like fun!"

"I have read books 1, 2 and 3 in the Winnie the Horse Gentler series, but I liked 'Eager Star' best!" ~ B.K.

"Winnie writers - I LOVE this book!  I am halfway through this book and when I start reading I have to force myself to quit!  :-)   I also loved 'Wild Thing'.  I do not own these books, but my school library has all 6 of them.  I plan on reading all of them!  Please continue making these books!!  I love this site!  Maybe you could add some games!  Thanks again!"  ~ A fan, Alexis  :-)

"[Eager Star] was awesome.  I love all of the Winnie the Horse Gentler books!  Once I start reading them, I can't put them down." ~ A.H.

"Hey Winnie - I loved 'Eager Star'!  It was great!" ~ Anna

"I like the cover and when Winnie rides backwards!"

"I like this book because it is about a horses!"

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