Ranch Girl and a Boy Named Toby

Kelsi’s fifth-grade year takes unexpected turns with new friends, a mysterious egret, and surprising adventures

After a summer of adventures with her lamb Dopey and best friend Ampara, Kelsi Fairgate looks forward to fifth grade. She seems destined for disappointment from the moment she arrives at school and finds a boy named Toby in her favorite seat by the tall window.

Back at the ranch, a great egret makes one of his unexpected appearances just as Toby’s family shows up for lunch. At first Kelsi is dismayed, but she soon learns why Toby had wanted that quiet back window. Kelsi and Ampara seek out the mysterious white bird, along with the ways they can help their new friend.

Brenda Ethridge Ferguson taught at the secondary and college levels, designed English courses for a private institution, and served as a librarian and library coordinator in public schools. Author of Ranch Girl and the Orphan Lamb Adventure and active in several professional organizations, Ferguson resides in central Texas.