Pony School Showdown by Meredith Costain

Ella Diaries bk 6. Ill. by Danielle McDonald. Scholastic, 2016, ISBN: 9781760157166
(Age: 7+) Recommended. Themes: Horse Riding; Friendship; Diaries
Ella is convinced by her BFF that horses are the best things ever, despite the fact that fashion is actually her passion. Then she needs to convince her parents that she deserves a horse. Ella and her best friend Zoe hatch a plan to get her involved in Pony School. Ella of course thinks this will lead to owning a pony too! At Pony School Ella also encounters some mean girls - one she knows well, and another who seems even meaner. (Do all Pony schools have mean girls?) Ella has a unique view of everything she encounters, but she is also a good friend and is open and honest.
The entire story is told through Ella's diary entries which include her creative word inventions eg 'exciterating', 'worserer'. Small humourous cartoon-style illustrations are also part of the appeal of this book.
Recommended for independent female readers aged 7+. (I hope they realise that she is a word inventor!)
Carolyn Hull