“‘And then there’s a kind of faith…an assurance…that the universe will give us what we look for. There will always be chaos and bad things in the world. But if we look for the good, we’ll find it. That’s what I mean by a benevolence from the universe.”
― Melanie Sue Bowles: Liberty Biscuit
This next book comes to you a little on the late side. I read this pair of books out of order and just had to pick up the first book to feel complete. Today I am sharing with you Melanie Sue Bowles’ novel Liberty Biscuit: Does a Family Mystery Stand in the Way of Saving Kip’s Best Friend?
This book was published by Trafalgar Square books in 2022. It is technically a young readers book. Eighteen chapters are spread across 210 easy to read pages.
You can get your copy directly here at Trafalgar Square Books!
“Grandpa Joe says if you train a horse with kindness they’ll walk with confidence and grace, and an animal as noble as the horse deserves to be confident.”
― Melanie Sue Bowles: Liberty Biscuit
Katherine Pearl Baker…also known as Kip is a young lady of 14 years who lives on her family’s peach farm. She has acres and acres to roam and explore. Her grandfather lived on the same expanse of land in a separate home.
Our adventure with Kip begins in early July. She desperately wants her family to take her into the town to watch the Fourth of July parade. Her mother, her father, and her grandfather are all too busy to meet her demands. Disappointed, she takes to the woods on their property. She frequently visits a spot along Busby Creek and leaves gifts for her Ravens in hopes that one day they may leave her gifts.
While at the creek Kip hears something large coming in her direction. Then a braying sound. A donkey! She meets a white donkey with a broken ear and one eye who looks hungry and in need of food. All she had is a few peach biscuits so she offered them to this donkey. He follows her home only to have her family up in a stir. Pets are forbidden by her father.
As the story unfolds her father softens to the idea of having the donkey around, and the family additionally takes in two abused horses temporarily. Kip begins to fall in love with these animals as she tries to gain their trust.
“‘What’s wrong with human beings, Daddy?’ I asked quietly as I fiddles with his collar. ‘Why do we hurt each other? Why do we hurt animals?’”
― Melanie Sue Bowles: Liberty Biscuit
We follow Kip as she navigates some difficult feelings. The temporary period ends and the horses are removed…breaking her heart….she struggles to find a way forward but stays determined.
Aside from the horses Kip begins to have mature insecurities about herself. She questions human nature and how hateful some people can be. She questions her race…with her mother being Black and her father being White…she expresses worry that people may not be as accepting of her.
“‘I’m just wondering what will happen if I fall in love with a Black boy, but his parents don’t like the white side of me. Or if I fall in love with a white boy and his parents don’t like the Black side of me.’”
― Melanie Sue Bowles: Liberty Biscuit
Kip also begins to learn about her family history…and why pets have been forbidden by her father. This mystery completely throws Kip for a loop. In only a few short weeks Kip experiences a lot.
“It’s a scary thing when you realize your daddy has flaws and weaknesses-when you realize your daddy is human.”
― Melanie Sue Bowles: Liberty Biscuit
I found Kip to be a wise young lady. The book is told through her perspective and the internal dialogue is mature for her age. Occasionally we saw the fourteen year old tantrums but overall she remained thoughtful and grown-up. I was impressed by her problem solving skills and her extroverted nature. As an introvert that was raised to be quiet and not rock the boat I wish I had been a little more outspoken like Kip about what I wanted and willing to “put myself out there” earlier in life.
“He taught me that if I accepted certain things about life-truly accepted that the world is a mixture of lavish beauty and withering heartbreak-then I had the strength and power to create balance.”
― Melanie Sue Bowles: Liberty Biscuit
Final Word:
Liberty Biscuit is a quick easy read designed for young readers 9-13. Despite the age suggestion I found this to be a refreshing break from some of the non-fiction books I have been reading. It allowed me to have a nice read just before bedtime to rest and relax. Although Katherine Pearl is just fourteen years old she is relatable…my fourteen year old self found her very realistic and would probably have been eager to be Kip’s best friend.
Kip’s experiences and determination are something we can all appreciate, and the story leads perfectly into the second book, Little Pearl, which I reviewed not too long ago.
I DO recommend this book, but I recommend reading this book before Little Pearl since I started Liberty Biscuit knowing a few key details that would have been a thrilling surprise if I had read these in order.
“I looked back down at the chain in my hand and fingered the links, touching them as though they were precious and rare. And really, they were. But not in a way that could change a bank account. More along the lines of my faith in the benevolence of the universe.”
― Melanie Sue Bowles: Liberty Biscuit
Get both copies in a bundle here: Liberty Biscuit and Little Pearl Bundle by Melanie Sue Bowles
A special note about the author: Melanie and her husband Jim opened Proud Spirit Horse Sanctuary. What began in the 90s on five acres in rural Florida has grown to 180 acres in Georgia. Her books help fund the sanctuary. She has also published The Horses of Proud Spirit released in 2003, Hoofprints: More Stories from Proud Spirit released in 2008, and The Dogs of Proud Spirit released in 2010.
I also want to add that I buy most of my horse books from Trafalgar Square Books and I am still an affiliate with the publisher. You can find your copy through my affiliate link here, it’ll let TSB know I sent you!
Published by Trafalgar Square Books, an imprint of the Stable Book Group
32 Court Street Suite 2109 Brooklyn, NY 11201
If you have any questions, comments, or would like further information, please contact:
trafalgar@stablebookgroup.com
The Green Horseman 
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