Shelby and the Back-to-School Blues
An Old Quarry Lake Farms Tale
by Marty Kay Jones

The school has started again in the quiet rural town of Old Quarry Lake. Newcomer Shelby and her “townie” friends Katherine and Rose have had an amazing summer becoming friends and spending time with horses.

Shelby is afraid that going to school will change the dynamic in her friend group, and she’s right. After meeting a fellow horse-crazy girl named Agate in art class, Shelby introduces her to Rose and Katherine. That’s when things get… well, weird. Rose keeps disappearing, and Katherine doesn’t seem to have much to say to Shelby anymore.

As the school year drags on, Shelby finds herself feeling more distant from her friends than ever. Was introducing Agate to her friends a huge mistake?

Join the riders of Old Quarry Lake Farms as they spend their first year in school together. A new school building, a new group of friends, and new challenges to face at school and the barn—will the girls be able to navigate so many changes at once?

This book is perfect for:

  • Girls ages 9-12
  • Teachers in elementary school through seventh grade
  • Parents and grandparents with girls who love horses
  • Anyone looking to teach children about empathy, friendship, and compassion
  • Any child struggling with learning challenges (ADHD, Autism Spectrum) and mental health (Anxiety)


Readers can relate to issues experienced by the characters in this book, including:

  • Body image concerns
  • Bullying
  • Self-image and self-esteem
  • Starting a new grade at a new school
  • Learning challenges and neurodivergence

For young readers, pre-teens, tweens, and teens, the Old Quarry Lake Farms Tales are not just warm-hearted stories about girls and their horses, but provide information and insight about horses and the world of riding.

This is the third book in The Old Quarry Lake Farms Tales Series.

5 out of 5 fairies

This was a great story, with a focus on friendship, and embracing differences. There’s so much that happens in this, and once again, I find myself identifying with the girls. I know what it’s like to be an outsider, and how learning disabilities and mental health can really affect your life. The girls learned the importance of communicating, and that sometimes struggles in your personal life can spill over and affect friendships. It was heartwarming to see all the parents be so supportive, and proactive about not just school but mental health. There were times my heart just hurt seeing the girls struggling, and Shelby’s anxiety, but in the end I couldn’t stop smiling. Cannot recommend this series enough, each book has a unique lesson, and situations that many middle schoolers will be able to relate to.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Like Old Quarry Lake’s newest resident, Shelby Simone, author Marty Kay Jones grew up obsessed with horses. She also lived in the city and had to wait until her teen years to experience them for herself.

Today, Marty Kay Jones is still obsessed with horses, but now she gets to see them every day. She runs a small boarding stable in the Appalachian foothills and loves teaching new generations everything there is to know about horses.

Ms. Jones believes learning never stops and extends her equine knowledge to readers of the Old Quarry Lake Farms book series. While the books are written about 11-year-old Shelby Simone and her sixth-grade friends, readers of all ages will appreciate and identify with the challenges and triumphs that come with the major life changes Shelby experiences.

When not playing with her own horses, Chip and Mango, Ms. Jones can be found hiking with her Australian Sheep Dog Petey, tinkering around with her project hot rod, or curled up with a good mystery.

Shelby and the First Ride
Amazon | Goodreads

Shelby’s Horse-Filled Summer
Amazon | Goodreads

Shelby and the Back-to-School Blues
Amazon | Goodreads

Shelby’s Season of Surprise
Amazon | Goodreads

Shelby Becomes a Horse Girl
Amazon | Goodreads