Paint the Wind by Pam Munoz Ryan
A puzzling photograph, a box filled with faded toy horses, and a single fractured memory are all that Maya has left of her mother. In Grandmother's house, in California, she lives like a captive, tethered by Grandmother's rules: no talk of her mother, no friends, no foolishness of any kind...until a shocking event changes everything.
A world away, in the rugged Wyoming wilderness, a wild mustang called Artimisia runs free, belonging only to the stars. In a land where mountain lions and wranglers pose an ever-present threat, she must vigilantly protect her new foal...until a devastating act separates them from their band.
Like a braided rein, Maya's and Artimisia's lives will ultimately intertwine. Together, they will hold the key to each other's survival. (from inside cover)
Ages: 8+
This is one of my all-time favorite books (I seem to be saying that a lot, don't I? J). It's a great book for horse-lovers and pretty much anyone who loves a good read.
Things to consider:
Maya's grandmother is extremely oppresive and can be just plain mean. Maya is later told that perhaps it was because Grandmother loves Maya so much (but it's kind of hard to believe that's the reason). We never really know for sure why she does it.
Maya and her cousin, Payton, do not get along at first but at the end learn to be friends. Before they learn to get along, several things happen which seriously affect their communication and relationship: Maya disobeys their Aunt and frames Payton for it; Payten sneaks a mouse in Maya's tent; etc. (I don't want to give the entire book away!)
Maya lies a lot to her family. She apologizes at the end, but is never punished for it.
As the inside cover says, the Wyoming wilderness is rugged and harsh and this is clearly depicted in this story. The wilderness is cruel and even gruesome and Paint the Wind is very descriptive. Horses and people alike are wounded and their injuries are clearly described. Maya gets caught in an avalanche and twists her ankle, and severely hurts her shoulder (the exact injury is not explained).
The Limner family is very close and loving. They show Maya (and readers) what a good, tight family looks like. They are all very kind to the horses and take good care of them.
A boy's tooth gets knocked out and his mouth is bleeding. (Yuck!)
There is no profanity or sexual content.
I love this book. It's a touching horse story with upstanding family values thrown in. The entire family (at least, by the end) is close-knit and loves each other. A fun and easy read. Let me know what YOU think in the comments!
Happy reading!
~Thalia
A world away, in the rugged Wyoming wilderness, a wild mustang called Artimisia runs free, belonging only to the stars. In a land where mountain lions and wranglers pose an ever-present threat, she must vigilantly protect her new foal...until a devastating act separates them from their band.
Like a braided rein, Maya's and Artimisia's lives will ultimately intertwine. Together, they will hold the key to each other's survival. (from inside cover)
Ages: 8+
This is one of my all-time favorite books (I seem to be saying that a lot, don't I? J). It's a great book for horse-lovers and pretty much anyone who loves a good read.
Things to consider:
Maya's grandmother is extremely oppresive and can be just plain mean. Maya is later told that perhaps it was because Grandmother loves Maya so much (but it's kind of hard to believe that's the reason). We never really know for sure why she does it.
Maya and her cousin, Payton, do not get along at first but at the end learn to be friends. Before they learn to get along, several things happen which seriously affect their communication and relationship: Maya disobeys their Aunt and frames Payton for it; Payten sneaks a mouse in Maya's tent; etc. (I don't want to give the entire book away!)
Maya lies a lot to her family. She apologizes at the end, but is never punished for it.
As the inside cover says, the Wyoming wilderness is rugged and harsh and this is clearly depicted in this story. The wilderness is cruel and even gruesome and Paint the Wind is very descriptive. Horses and people alike are wounded and their injuries are clearly described. Maya gets caught in an avalanche and twists her ankle, and severely hurts her shoulder (the exact injury is not explained).
The Limner family is very close and loving. They show Maya (and readers) what a good, tight family looks like. They are all very kind to the horses and take good care of them.
A boy's tooth gets knocked out and his mouth is bleeding. (Yuck!)
There is no profanity or sexual content.
I love this book. It's a touching horse story with upstanding family values thrown in. The entire family (at least, by the end) is close-knit and loves each other. A fun and easy read. Let me know what YOU think in the comments!
Happy reading!
~Thalia
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