I enjoyed the first few volumes of this series, so I was pleased to find this ex-library hardcover at Better World Books. It picks up from the events of Volume 4.

This volume focuses more on the equestrian club, where protagonist Hachiken has become vice president - even though his familiarity with horses is almost nil. He learns fast, though, going from consistently failing at a low jump on his nervy horse Chestnut to discovering that Chestnut can take off like a rocket if he feels like it. (And then there's the draft-horse race preparation; there's a really marvelous scene of a huge draft horse striding in, terrifying Hachiken at first by its sheer size and power!)

It's not all horses: Hachiken discovers an abandoned puppy, and has to adopt it, whereupon it becomes "Vice Prez" and the new mascot of the equestrian club. (And very cute it is, too.)

We also see more tidbits about the various pressures on the other students - most of them have strong ties to family farms or businesses, which may override their own desires.

And Hachiken himself may have over-committed just a bit; by the end of the volume he's pretty frantic! But he'll manage somehow...

[There's a TV Tropes page on the series, with some entertaining tidbits. And an
anime adaptation that I want to watch. And for a different manga take on agricultural school, try Moyasimon.]

Guidelines for safely visiting and stocking Little Free Libraries during the COVID-19 pandemic, from the LFL site here.

I left this book in the Little Free Library; hope someone enjoys it!

[See other recent releases in MA here.]

*** Released for the 2021 Wine+Food challenge. ***

*** Released for the 2021 4 Elements challenge. ***