
Reach for this book if your child is navigating a major life transition, such as a move to a new country or joining a family member they haven't seen in years. It is a deeply empathetic choice for children who feel like 'outsiders' in their own lives or who are grieving the loss of a parent while trying to maintain a brave face. Twelve-year-old Lidie leaves her familiar life in Brazil to join her father and brother on a New York horse ranch. The story beautifully parallels Lidie's struggle to adapt with the journey of a fiery, untamed filly named Wild Girl. Through themes of patience, cultural identity, and the bond between humans and animals, the book offers a roadmap for resilience. It is a gentle yet realistic look at the hard work of making a new place feel like home.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a reviewThe book deals with the past death of Lidie's mother. The approach is direct but reflective, focusing on Lidie's lingering grief and her fear of losing her connection to her mother's memory. The resolution is realistic: Lidie doesn't 'get over' the death, but she learns to integrate it into her new life.
A 10-year-old horse lover who is also experiencing 'fish out of water' syndrome, perhaps due to immigration or moving from a rural to an urban environment.
Read cold. Parents should be aware that the book moves at a literary pace, focusing on internal feelings rather than high-octane action. A parent might see their child struggling with a 'language barrier' (even if speaking the same language) or refusing to engage with new peers because they miss their old home.
Younger readers (age 8-9) will focus on the horse training and the physical move. Older readers (11-12) will catch the nuances of Lidie's search for identity and the complex dynamics of a daughter re-establishing a relationship with a distant father.
Unlike many horse books that focus on competition, this is a quiet, lyrical exploration of immigration and the sensory experience of cultural transition.
Lidie moves from her aunt and uncle's home in Brazil to New York to live with her father and brother, whom she barely knows. They work at a racehorse training facility. Lidie must navigate a new language, a new climate, and a new school. Central to her journey is her relationship with Wild Girl, a temperamental filly. As Lidie learns to train the horse, she unknowingly trains herself to navigate her new reality.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.