Multi-award-winning author and lifelong horse enthusiast, Laura Holt-Haslam, writes uplifting novels for tweens and horse lovers of all ages, inspiring them to be more courageous, compassionate, and resilient.
While horses play an important role in her stories, the heart of her writing revolves around themes of friendship, family, and the healing power of love and forgiveness. Her stories feature relatable, diverse characters who model integrity as they work hard to overcome challenges and achieve their dreams.
Laura is the mother of two adult children. She lives in Southern Maine with her husband, adult son, and two adorably naughty cats. She and her daughter share ownership of Max, a 29-year-old palomino miniature horse who loves to jump.
Max is the spokespony of River Pony Press.
Book 4 of Sofia's Story
A tale of tough choices, true friendship, and the courage to follow your heart.
As autumn leaves paint the landscape, 11-year-old Sofia faces a crossroads. An opportunity to visit Acadia National Park presents a thrilling chance to explore the carriage trails with her horse, Sundance. Her mother's boyfriend invites her to bring a friend to ride his sister's horse. The catch? Sofia must choose between her best friends, Olivia and Anika.
While Sofia wrestles with a decision she fears will jeopardize her friendships, the reappearance of her estranged father and the prospect of becoming a big sister further complicates her already tumultuous world. Will she find the strength to forge her own path, or will the expectations of others hold her back?
Readers of all ages will be captivated by Sofia’s journey of self-discovery, the powerful bonds of friendship and family, and the joy of finding one's place in an ever-changing world.
Paperback book
Emily’s adventure begins in this first book of the series.
2022 Winnie Award Winner, Young Adult English Riding, Equus Film and Arts Festival.
Twelve-year-old Emily Edwards is confident she has what it takes to become an accomplished equestrian. She’s read every horse book in the library, watched countless how-to videos, and can name every Kentucky Derby winner since 1875. There’s only one obstacle standing in the way of her success.
She’s never ridden a horse.
When Emily wins an essay contest and is awarded a full scholarship to a week of horse camp, she’s ready to impress the staff with her knowledge and skills. Unfortunately, the no-nonsense head instructor doesn’t recognize the brilliance Emily knows she possesses. But that isn’t Emily’s only struggle. Learning how to make friends and be a friend may prove an even greater challenge than becoming an equestrian extraordinaire.
This book is available for purchase directly from the author or from Amazon and most other online book retailers.
find on major retailersBook Two of Emily Edwards Equestrian Extraordinaire.
A heartwarming tale of a girl’s unwavering love for a horse
After a week spent at horseback camp making friends and bonding with her favorite horse, Calypso, twelve-year-old Emily Edwards must say goodbye. But what will happen to Calypso when the summer ends and the camp returns the fiery chestnut to the horse dealer Emily suspects abused her?
Emily refuses to abandon Calypso to an uncertain future. She must rescue her, but how?
With a mysteriously absent mother and a father whose Multiple Sclerosis is getting worse, she has no money—or place—to keep a horse. Her plan will require hard work and help from her camp friends Katie and Ash, but with luck, Emily might just pull it off. If only she could work up the nerve to tell her family, which might need even more rescuing than Calypso.
Emily Edwards to the Rescue is must-read for horse lovers and anyone who believes in the power of friendship and determination.
This book is available for purchase directly from the author or from Amazon and most other online book retailers.
find on major retailersFrom grieving to healing: a horse, a boy, and the power of friendship.
Twelve-year-old Malachi Adams has always felt like an outsider. Ridiculed by his stepfather and bullied by his classmates because of his stutter, he finds solace in his dog, Sunny. After his mother takes Sunny to the vet to be euthanized, Mal is devastated he hasn’t been given the opportunity to say goodbye.
When Mal gets lost in the woods, he discovers an abandoned pregnant mare. Believing that Sunny has led him to this horse, Mal decides to care for her and keep her safe until she gives birth.
After his classmate, Amelia, learns of Mal’s secret, she offers to help. But even together, caring for a horse—and her newborn foal—is no easy task.
This story will capture the hearts of animal lovers and anyone who has ever felt like an outsider.
2023 Winnie Award Winner, Young Adult Rescue Stories
paperback book
Book One of Sofia’s Story
Winnie Award winner, Young Adult Overall runner-up, 2021 Equus Film and Arts Festival, 2021
Nine-year-old Sofia Ruiz has just one Christmas wish—a horse of her own. But without winter boots or fuel to heat their run-down trailer, she would settle for just being warm.
With Christmas only days away, Mom arranges for Sofia to spend two weeks with her grandmother, a stranger she hasn’t seen in six years. A painful rift separates Mom from Gramma Lisa, but neither will talk about what happened. Sofia dreads being left alone.
Sofia’s dread becomes delight when she discovers Gramma Lisa owns a Morgan horse named Delilah. Sofia learns about caring for the mare and eagerly volunteers to do the chores, hoping Gramma Lisa will allow her to ride Delilah.
As Sofia and Gramma Lisa pursue their shared passion for horses, Sofia feels increasingly conflicted. She wishes she and Mom could move in with her grandmother, but Mom’s strained relationship with Gramma Lisa stands in the way. If they cannot forgive, will they force Sofia to choose between them?
This book is available for purchase directly from the author or from Amazon and most other online book retailers.
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Paperback book
Book Two of Sofia’s Story
Sofia Ruiz adores her horse, Sundance, a gift from the grandmother who has cared for her during her mother’s absence. Weeks before her eleventh birthday, her mother demands that she pack her things, forcing Sofia to leave Sundance behind. She’s sent to live with the great-grandfather she barely knows. Anxious, lonely, and determined to be reunited with Sundance, Sofia searches for a way to return to her grandmother.
After meeting the neighbor’s miniature horses, Sofia is invited to join the Mini Whinnies Horse Club with quick-tempered Olivia, who uses crutches to walk, and her twin brother, Ryan, who’s afraid of horses. As her horse and human friendships grow, Sofia wrestles with where she belongs. Will she ever see Sundance again?
This heart-warming story about friendship and discovering family in unexpected places will inspire horse-lovers of all ages.
This book is available for purchase directly from the author or from Amazon and most other online book retailers.
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ebbok
Book Three in Sofia’s Story
An uplifting story of horses, friends, family and the bonds that bring them together.
Eleven-year-old Sofia Ruiz thinks her dreams have come true when she’s reunited with her beloved horse, Sundance. But life isn’t as perfect as she’d imagined.
Olivia and Ryan expect to ride whenever they want, leaving Sofia with all the chores and little time for her own horse. Their bossy demands and constant bickering are getting on her nerves, but how can she stand up to them? Being the new kid at Maplewood Middle School is hard enough without worrying about losing her only two friends. When the most popular girl in sixth grade befriends Sofia, her relationships with Olivia and Ryan are pushed to the breaking point.
After an accident leaves Sundance’s confidence shaken, Sofia must discover how to regain her horse’s trust—and her friends’.
This book is available for purchase directly from the author or from Amazon and most other online book retailers.
find on major retailersPaperback book
Book 4 in Sofia’s Story
A tale of tough choices, true friendship, and the courage to follow your heart.
As autumn leaves paint the landscape, 11-year-old Sofia faces a crossroads. An opportunity to visit Acadia National Park presents a thrilling chance to explore the carriage trails with her horse, Sundance. Her mother’s boyfriend invites her to bring a friend to ride his sister’s horse. The catch? Sofia must choose between her best friends, Olivia and Anika.
While Sofia wrestles with a decision she fears will jeopardize her friendships, the reappearance of her estranged father and the prospect of becoming a big sister further complicates her already tumultuous world. Will she find the strength to forge her own path, or will the expectations of others hold her back?
Readers of all ages will be captivated by Sofia’s journey of self-discovery, the powerful bonds of friendship and family, and the joy of finding one’s place in an ever-changing world.
Reading Level: grades 4-7; ages 9-12
Contains no swearing or violence. A side character experiences an innocent crush.
Sofia’s Choice is available for purchase directly from the author or from Amazon and most other online book retailers.
find on major retailersSaddle Up Your Gratitude with this guided gratitude journal!
Studies show that practicing gratitude leads to greater happiness, improved relationships, higher self-esteem, reduced stress, and better overall well-being.
Cultivate a mindset of positivity, compassion, and hoof-stomping gratitude with this guided journal designed especially for horse-loving tweens. Invite your equine companions to inspire you as you celebrate life’s everyday blessings, extend acts of kindness and generosity, and express heartfelt appreciation to those around you.
Carefully crafted writing prompts will guide you to express your thoughts and feelings and uncover your inner gratitude. Most journal pages include delightful horse illustrations to color and decorate, making each page a reflection of your unique style.
Embark on a journey where thankfulness and the love of horses gallop together, unleashing the life-changing power of gratitude that resonates within you and radiates to those around you.
For ages 8 and up.
This book is available for purchase directly from the author or from Amazon and most other online book retailers.
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Unleash Your Gratitude with the “Pawsitively Grateful” Guided Journal!
Studies show that practicing gratitude leads to greater happiness, improved relationships, higher self-esteem, reduced stress, and better performance in school.
Cultivate a mindset of positivity, compassion, and tail-wagging gratitude with this guided journal designed especially for dog-loving tweens. Invite your furry companions to inspire you as you celebrate life’s everyday blessings, show kindness and generosity, and express heartfelt appreciation to those around you.
Carefully crafted writing prompts will guide you to express your thoughts and feelings and uncover your inner gratitude. Most journal pages include delightful dog illustrations to color and decorate, making each page a reflection of your unique style.
Embark on a journey where thankfulness and the love for dogs intertwine, unleashing the life-changing power of gratitude that resonates within you and radiates to those around you.
For ages 8 and up.
Pawsitively Grateful is available for purchase directly from the author or from Amazon and most other online book retailers.
find on major retailersExplore Your Inner Catitude with the “Purrfectly Grateful” Guided Journal!
Studies show that practicing gratitude leads to greater happiness, improved relationships, higher self-esteem, reduced stress, and better performance in school.
Cultivate a mindset of positivity, compassion, and whisker-twitching gratitude with this guided journal designed especially for cat-loving tweens. Invite your feline friends to inspire you as you celebrate life’s everyday blessings, extend acts of kindness and generosity, and express heartfelt appreciation to those around you.
Carefully crafted writing prompts will guide you to express your thoughts and feelings and uncover your inner gratitude. Most journal pages include delightful cat illustrations to color and decorate, making each page a reflection of your unique style.
Embark on a journey where thankfulness and the love for cats intertwine, unleashing the life-changing power of gratitude that resonates within you and radiates to those around you.
For ages 8 and up.
Purrfectly Grateful is available for purchase directly from the author or from Amazon and most other online book retailers.
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