Wind Dancer by Chris Platt (Review & Giveaway)

ISBN:  9781561457366

About the book:  Ali McCormick used to love horses. But then she and her beloved pony Max were in an accident; Ali was injured, Max died, and Ali's brother Danny, who caused the accident, joined the military. Now Danny has returned from Afghanistan, injured and traumatized. 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 Withdrawn and quick to anger, Danny suffers from terrible nightmares and frightening mood changes.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 and her friend Cara realize that an elderly neighbor has been neglecting her horses, they decide they have to act. Little does Ali realize that she'll end up having to help care for these two horses, who are starved and suffering from malnutrition. Can Ali rise above her painful memories and love a horse again? And can Wind Dancer, also injured and traumatized, help Danny find meaning in his life again?

My thoughts: Children seem to be fascinated with horses and middle schoolers love to have the opportunity to ride horses. In Wind Dancer, the heroin, Ali, has an accident involving her horse and the horse has to be put down. Thereafter, Ali doesn’t care be with horses.

However, an opportunity arises where she works with terribly abused horses.  Ali's compassionate nature comes to the forefront as she begins to aid in the rescue and care of these abused horses. Ali also has an opportunity to work with horses to help soldiers returning from war suffering from PSTD. A program involving horses is used to help them through this.

This is a short book just right for middle readers about a subject (horses) they will enjoy. Readers will also gain knowledge of post-traumatic stress disorder (PSTD) and care and recovery of abused or traumatized animals. They will learn, too, how Ali learns to cope with her own feelings.

The reading is not so deep as to discourage young readers but engaging enough to capture their attention.  

GIVEAWAY:  Peachtree Publishers has graciously provided a giveaway copy for one of Chat With Vera's readers to vie for. Just use the Rafflecopter form below and soon one reader will have their very own copy. Begins April 29 & ENDS May 20 @ 12:01 a.m EDT. Open for USA mailing addresses only.
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DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy was provided by Peachtree Publishers in exchange for my honest review. Opinions expressed are solely my own. I received no compensation for this review.