Restless Spirit by Susan Brocker
It is always good to find a ‘horse’ book written for girls older than 8. This book is a wonderful modern incarnation of all those mustang books that I used to read when I was very young.
Lara is a new girl at the school, and friendless. She meets and gradually becomes friends with Kahu, outwardly confident but filled with self-doubt. Kahu teaches Lara to ride and together they visit a wild brumby heard roaming a wilderness area in New Zealand. So far, just a lovely story about friendship.
But the politicians decide to cull the brumby heards. And one of the hunters is notorious for his cruelty. He is determined to find the white stallion and bring it under control. Lara and Kahu decide to get involved in an attempt to protect the stallion.
In years past, the story would continue that the two children managed to protect the stallion and his heard from harm and eveyone lived happily ever after. But we all know that in the real world, children don’t often stop adults bent on a plan of action. Brocker protects the reality of her story. The children do not prevail, horses are caught and even die. But in the end the future of the brumby heard is assured.
This was a quick and simple read, but not childish.
