Gr 6-9 Hannah, 13, has always loved watching horse races on television with her father, but when she begins to help out at a local riding stable, she discovers how much more she enjoys working with real animals, especially those who have suffered abuse. She particularly loves a filly named Rega, the offspring of a Premarin mare (a pregnant horse from which urine is collected to make pharmaceuticals). When her dad returns from Iraq as an amputee suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, Hannah's work at the stable not only helps her cope with the problems at home, but also leads her to equine-assisted psychotherapy and riding therapy for her troubled father. Things improve, but Hannah will need all her strength to make a difficult decision when Rega suffers a terrible injury. Like Rorby's "Hurt Go Happy"(Tor, 2006), this book is laden with so many issues-the problems of returning vets, various and horrifying types of abuse of horses, humane Parelli horse training methods-that they nearly overwhelm the story, and the horse/human amputee metaphor becomes heavy-handed. However, this novel really shines in showing how horses can help troubled humans heal their physical and emotional wounds. There's plenty of fodder here for spirited book discussions.-"Kathleen E. Gruver, Burlington County Library, Westampton, NJ" Copyright 2010 Media Source Inc.
When Hannah's father comes home from fighting in Iraq, she hardly recognizes the shell-shocked, chronically pained man. Perhaps therapy with the nearby horses will help; but, as Hannah comes to realize, the horses have undergone their own share of trauma. The text, which is a little emotionally overwrought, doesn't shy away from its depiction of violence toward animals.
Be the first reader to comment.
Comment Policy:
Comment should not be empty !!!