At 13, Troy isn't a bad kid, but when he and his best friend, Foster, get into trouble, the punishment isn't what they expected: they're sent to a stable in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park to muck stalls and take care of horses. No one is more surprised than Troy when he loves it, or when it turns out that he has an aptitude for polo, a sport African American Troy always thought was only for rich white kids. His newfound passion is not without problems, though; Troy clashes both with other kids at the barn and with Foster, who feels abandoned. Although the characterizations sometimes verge on stereotype, this is a thoughtful and necessary glance into a difficult world, and Kendall handles delicate situations with care oy's tense encounter with the police draws attention to uncomfortable truths without villainization. Inspired by Philadelphia's Work to Ride program, a nonprofit group that uses equine sports to help disadvantaged kids, this is an eye-opening account into a real organization striving for change.

Sentenced to work at a stable after being caught with stolen iPhones, Troy Butler is drawn to the horses and the grace and physicality of polo. To join the team, he must prove himself through hard work, responsibility, and earning the trust of Chance, a discerning polo pony. Set in Philadelphia, Kendall-s debut candidly addresses unfair treatment based on race (Troy, who is black, is harassed by police for walking down the street carrying a polo mallet and struggles with the anger the incident provokes), loss of direction after the death of a parent, and the positive influence of family and community (Troy is offered guidance by many peers and adults throughout). It-s Troy-s connection with Chance, however, that steals the show (-I slid back down to the ground and laid my head up against Chance-s side. Didn-t want anybody to know I had a lump in my throat, but it felt like Chance knew-) in a stirring look into the life of a young man finding passion, inspiration, and direction. Ages 10-14. Agent: Miriam Altshuler, Miriam Altshuler Literary. (Oct.)

Troy feels things passionately but he does not always end up on the right side of a situation. Taking the wrong turn has led him to a prevention program for teens. Instead of being sent to a juvenile facility or assigned community service, Troy is recommended for a program that helps teens through hard work caring for horses at the inner-city stables. Troy has not been able to feel connected to much of anything since his mother passed away a year ago, but once he is around the horses, he feels her calming presence surround him. He works his way up from cleaning stalls to riding horses, and he is especially close to a horse named Chance. Suddenly, Troy passionately wants to be a part of the exciting world of polo, but he will have to watch his back because some of his old ways could haunt him.In this debut novel, Kendall delivers a story full of heart and the consequences and challenges of making tough decisions. Set in present-day Philadelphia, this has all the components of a modern hero's journey. A confrontation between Troy and a police officer will resonate with readers as it reflects current events in America. Life in the city streets combines with the world of polo to create a story that young adult readers will love. Those interested in horses will be especially delighted.Erin Segreto.