Reviews:
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"Unique Juvenile Fiction, Engaging and Humorous
This story of Fergus, an acrobatic palomino colt is full of action, adventure, and suspense. The young reader will quickly get involved in the story. Fergus has a flare for playing soccer. Bobby Simpson and Ramon Aguilar, friends, work together to train Fergus to play soccer at the Simpson horse farm. Everyone in town soon gathers along the fence to watch Fergus and his amazing antics.
Fergus gained national attention and went on a 14 city tour promoting soccer in some of America ’s largest stadiums. While running on a Florida beach, Fergus was stolen and mistreated. A chain of events follows that keeps the reader in suspense until the exciting, dramatic climax.
Dan Peterson is a gifted communicator able to capture and hold the attention of the young reader. His story has conflict, suspense, and adventure. Dan writes in a heart-warming style that transmits a desire in the reader to emanate his strength of character.
Peterson writes intuitively and stimulates the creative imagination of young and old alike. Pen and ink drawings by Ryan S. Weber and Los Hermanos illustrate the narrative adding another dimension to the story of “Fergus”, the incredible soccer-playing colt."
--Richard R. Blake
"In this exciting adventure story, young Bobby Simpson and his friend, Ramon Aguilar, are playing soccer near the pasture one day when they discover that Bobby’s star palomino colt, Fergus, has an unusual talent. Fergus, bred to be a polo pony, plays goalie in their soccer game—and wins! As soon as the local news media broadcasts Fergus' remarkable ability, Ian Connor, of the International Soccer Federation, takes Bobby, Ramon, and Fergus on a promotional soccer tour throughout the United States. The trip has its costs: the boys meet some shady characters like Rumble Smith, Reiterate Johnson, and Billy Joe Culpepper, who have their own plans for the lovable Fergus. They dye him a different color and steal him.
While a debut novel for the author, the story reflects Peterson’s impressive expertise and experience. He holds a degree in journalism and English from Brigham Young University, and has served as the editor of three trade publications. Peterson knows all about horses, too, having grown up on a farm, and having raised paint horses to show.
Exploring this delightful story—with its tension and obstacles—young readers will not only enjoy the adventures of a remarkable horse, but will also learn about the importance of friendship and family. While Bobby and Ramon fear that Fergus may not be found, the boys remain loyal friends whose hopeful attitudes serve them and the people they love. In addition to the boys’ parents, other adults in the story, such as Ian Connor, Brooke Campbell, and the bus driver, Will, figure prominently as fine role models for young people and provide a clear contrast to some of the less trustworthy adults who use Fergus for their own gain.
Although the book meanders a bit at the beginning, and some aspects of the story are predictable, young readers will agree that Fergus, the Soccer-Playing Colt comes to a satisfying conclusion and offers interesting statistical information about some of the most famous ballparks and stadiums in the United States along the way. (August)"
--Carla L. Verderame, ForeWord Magazine
"Fergus, a palomino colt at Simpson Farms, displays unusual talents. Besides twirling in the air and executing daring back flips, Fergus loves to play soccer. Bobby Simpson and his friend, Ramon, set up a goal in the pasture and let Fergus guard it while they practice penalty kicks and heading the ball. The agile colt blocks all their shots. He flicks the ball off his nose or whirls around and kicks it with his back feet.
Soon the local news, then CNN and other networks feature the golden goalkeeper. People flock to the farm to watch Fergus play with the boys. All the publicity boosts the popularity of soccer in the United States, drawing the attention of Ian Connor from the International Soccer Federation. He asks to “borrow” Fergus and the boys for a fourteen-city tour promoting the colt and the sport of soccer. The boys’ parents agree and the tour launches successfully with Fergus enjoying the matches and playing flawlessly. All goes well until the colt is horse-napped partway through the tour by three bad guys who scheme to turn him into a bucking rodeo champ. The rest of the story relates Fergus’s struggles and his return to Simpson Farms.
Peterson’s book should entice young (8- to 12-year-old) boys to read. He offers adventure, sports, and humor. His bad guys provide comic relief and still have a conscience. In an era when few books cater to the young male reader, Fergus is a welcome addition. Young girls can enjoy the story of this endearing colt, too."
--Kim Peterson (not related to author) for Reader Views (1/06)
"Fergus is a delightful polo pony colt that shows a natural talent as a soccer goalkeeper. He comes to the attention of an international audience and is taken on a tour of America's major cities in a series of demonstration soccer matches. Along the way, Fergus is stolen by an unscrupulous rodeo stock dealer from west Texas.
This is an excellent read for mid-grade boys and girls. Fergus the colt emerges as a character with his own personality, as does his pal, Bouncer the dog. The author emphasizes teamwork in both play and in the tracking down of the lost Fergus. He has given varied and interesting voices to all his characters, making them easy to delineate. This is an excellent book for reluctant readers. We rated it a high four hearts."
--Bob Spear, Publisher and Chief Reviewer, Heartland Reviews
"FERGUS: THE SOCCER PLAYING COLT by Dan Peterson is a charming book geared toward pre-teen boys. This story of a horse who dares to be different and the boys who embrace his uniqueness instead of trying to get him to conform gives the positive message that different can be good. There is plenty of action and adventure in this story that should appeal to young soccer fans and horse lovers alike. This likeable little horse finds himself in danger after the villain and his bumbling henchmen kidnap him. Will Fergus escape and find his way back to his beloved owner, Bobby? What will become of the little dog that has become his friend? Will the evil Rumble Smith get the punishment he deserves?
This book had enough suspense to keep me reading right to the satisfying epilogue. FERGUS: THE SOCCER PLAYING COLT should interest even the most reluctant young reader."
--Katelyn Thomas, Roundtablereviews.com
Starlight's Courage, Revised edition 
A Horse to Remember
