Keeker and the Sugar Shack

Keeker and the Sugar Shack
Hadley Higginson
illustrated by Maja Anderson

Genre: Realistic Fiction/Primary

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Keeker and the Sugar Shack is book two in the Sneaky Pony Series by Hadley Higginson. The main character is spunky little Catherine Corey Keegan Dana - but everyone just calls her Keeker. Keeker is almost ten, and she owns a pony named Plum, who is almost nine. In this book, Keeker learns and old woman has actually moved into the old Crab Apple Hill Farm. Keeker just can't imagine why an old lady would want to move into the old, dilapidated building and feels she has to investigate. Keeker eventually decides the new neighbor must be a witch. Keeker winds up embarrassing herself in the process of her spying, and ultimately learns not to judge a book by its cover.

The Sneaky Pony series is ideal for first through third graders. The series is skewed towards girls, but the adventures are so comical that boys can enjoy them as well - they probably just wouldn't be seen reading them independently! Like the Junie B. Jones series, the Sneaky Pony series are great beginning chapter books, and will encourage reading for students who are growing out of picture books. There is nothing exceptional about these books, but young girls will love to read about Keeker and her silly adventures.