Wind Dancer - Hardcover

Platt, Chris

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1561457361 ISBN 13: 9781561457366

Publisher: Peachtree Publishing Company, 2014

Synopsis

Can a rescued horse help Ali get through to her brother, who has returned from Afghanistan with PTSD?
Ali used to love horses. But that was before the accident, when she was injured and her pony died. Before her brother Danny joined the military.
Now Danny has returned from Afghanistan. He’s learning to walk with the prosthetic that has replaced one of his legs, but he can’t seem to find a way to reconnect with family and friends. Withdrawn and quick to anger, Danny suffers from terrible nightmares and frightening mood changes.
When Ali realizes that an elderly neighbor has been neglecting her horses, she decides she has to act. Can Ali rise above her painful memories and love a horse again? And can Wind Dancer, also injured and traumatized, help Danny rediscover meaning in his life?

About this title

About the Author:

Chris Platt, one of the first female jockeys in Oregon, is the author of more than a dozen books for young readers, including the popular horse novels Willow King, its sequel Race the Wind, and many titles in the Thoroughbred series. She lives in Nevada.

From Booklist:

Horses used to be Ali’s passion, but she hasn’t been interested since an accident caused her beloved horse to be put down. When Ali and her best friend notice that an elderly neighbor’s horses are in need, they decide to help, and the horses are removed from the neglectful home. Ali is volunteered to be their caretaker, even though she’s not sure she can bring herself to love a horse again. Ali’s journey weaves together with the story of Ali’s brother, Danny, who has returned from Afghanistan showing symptoms of PTSD. While Ali is learning to trust a new horse, Danny is struggling to accept his new life as an injured solider. Ali soon learns that maybe the wounded horse is the key to getting Danny the help he needs. Although the novel ends before there is much exploration of Danny’s PTSD, it nonetheless offers a nice stepping-stone for discussion. With detailed information about caring for horses, this quick novel is a good choice for readers looking for animal stories with heart. Grades 5-8. --Sarah Bean Thompson

About this edition

• Publisher: Peachtree Publishing Company
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 1561457361
• ISBN 13: 9781561457366
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 176