Taking Flight by Sheena Wilkinson
Published by Little Island, 2010

Coming from backgrounds that are worlds apart, fifteen year old Declan is not pleased when he’s forced through a desperate domestic situation to stay with his snobby cousin “Princess Vicky”

Declan and Vicky inhabit totally different worlds. Vicky has everything she ever wanted including her own horse while Declan’s life has been loaded with misery. Vicky is determined that he will never get near her prized showjumping horse Flight. But a natural affinity compels Declan to work with and love the horses more and more.

He is surprised to find himself consumed with this new passion when up to now all he’s ever been interested in is joyriding.

Strong characterization and a variety of familiar themes make this a gripping first young-adult novel.

Taking Flight won the Bisto Honour Award for Writing and The Children’s Choice Award in the 2011 Bisto Book of the Year Awards.