A child’s first horse can mark the beginning of far more than riding lessons. For A.J., Lady Star becomes his way into the daily responsibilities, family traditions, and working rhythms of an Oklahoma farm. Sherry Roberts draws upon stories passed down by her father to frame this childhood milestone within life during the 1930s and 1940s, giving the adventure an especially personal connection to the past.
Kid's Western Adventure
Date Published: 07-15-2025
Publisher: Solander Press
Author: Sherry Roberts
Illustrator: Kashif Qasim
One afternoon, A.J. returned home from school to find a surprise waiting for him in the barn - a beautiful little horse named Lady Star. She was now his to ride and care for. From that day on, A.J. spent all his free time learning how to ride Lady Star and caring for her. He dreamed of being skilled enough to ride alongside his grandfather, father, and Jon, the farm hand, during the cattle roundups.
Award-winning author Sherry Roberts weaves a heartfelt story about growing up in the 1930s and 1940s. Based on the tales passed down by her father, Just Call Me Pardner is a must-read for history lovers and those who enjoy stories of the American West.
A.J.’s wish for a horse is tied directly to the work he sees his grandfather, father, and Jon performing around the farm. That connection gives Lady Star a meaningful role in the story: she is both a long-awaited companion and A.J.’s first opportunity to prove that he can accept greater responsibility.
The historical setting also grows from family memory rather than an invented frontier fantasy. By drawing upon stories handed down by her father, Roberts offers younger readers a child-centered glimpse of Oklahoma farm life in the 1930s and 1940s. The focus on learning to ride, caring for an animal, and preparing to help with cattle roundups makes the period accessible through tasks A.J. must patiently learn.
Young readers curious about horses, farm chores, and the responsibilities involved in caring for an animal will find an immediate point of connection with A.J. The book may also suit families seeking an approachable introduction to everyday childhood in the 1930s and 1940s, particularly stories shaped by the American West and Oklahoma farm life.
Its emphasis on patience, practice, and earning a place beside more experienced family members gives parents, grandparents, and educators several natural openings for conversations about growing independence. Readers who value stories preserved across generations may be especially interested in the family history behind A.J.’s adventure.
Dr. Roberts has a three-book middle grade series. Book one, The Galaxy According to Cece, began the series. Book two, The Galaxy According to Cece: The Mysterious Dr. Pruitt arrived next, followed by book three, The Galaxy According to Cece: The Stars Align.
Her debut chapter book series begins with Just Call Me Pardner. The second book, Just Look at Those Boots, launched March 2026 and book three, Just Don’t Give A Girl A Frog, is coming in 2027. Each book can stand alone in this series.
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Just Call Me Pardner places a deeply personal family story inside a child’s ambition to become useful on the farm. A.J.’s progress with Lady Star connects the excitement of receiving a first horse with the less glamorous work of learning, practicing, and providing consistent care. That balance gives the adventure its strongest appeal: becoming a “pardner” is not simply a title A.J. claims, but a responsibility he must grow into.
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