The Phantom Stallion books is a series of children's books by American author Terri Farley, first published in 2002 by Avon Books. The series features Samantha "Sam" Forster, a girl who shares a unique bond with a wild horse named The Phantom Stallion. Having spent two years away from her family's Nevada ranch to recover from a riding accident, Sam returns home to find that things are never easy where horses are concerned. There are 24 books in the series with one million copies sold worldwide. Main characters Samantha Anne "Sam" Forster The main character Samantha Anne, usually called "Sam," is the daughter of Louise Forster, who died when Sam was young, and Wyatt Forster. She lives with Wyatt and Grace (Gram). Since a young age Sam has had a special bond with a horse that grew from a black colt named Blackie into the wild gray stallion known as the Phantom. When Sam was younger, she fell off Blackie when he spooked. Sam struck her head in the accident, knocking her unconscious. Since the accident doctors warned her father Wyatt that Sam could suffer from complications. Although Sam begged not to go, Wyatt sent her to live with her Aunt Sue in San Francisco where she would be safer and also near a hospital. After returning from her two-year stay in California, Sam felt out of place on River Bend Ranch and struggles with this for most of the series. Sam found out that during her absence "Blackie" had become the new herd leader, the Phantom. She connects with the Phantom, which reminds the horse how she used to care for and love him. Sam is known for being stubborn, kindhearted towards animals, loyal to her friends, and doing anything for the horses she loves; these qualities land her in trouble throughout the books. Her natural friend is Jacob (Jake) Ely, and she makes a new friend, Jennifer (Jen) Kenworthy. Sam has auburn hair, brown eyes (though the books also mention her with blue eyes) and is just over five feet tall. She is fourteen, but by the end of the series she has turned fifteen. Sam also loves photography, winning various awards and being an editor for the Darton Dialogue, her high school's newspaper. Jacob "Jake" Ely Always referred to as Jake, unless someone is angry with or teasing him. He is half Shoshone on his father's side.