Moon Shadow

I really liked Callie, the star of this book. My Mom says she's a lot like me, strong and independent ... and just LOVES horses. I live in an apartment so can't have a horse, but I long for the day when I might get one. Anyways, it's fun to read about them and Callie's adventures with Moon Shadow. I really like Chris Platt's writing style and I'm going back to see if I can get a copy of any of her other books. I like the Thoroughbred Ashleigh series, so will look for the ones with her name on them. A kid from Louisiana

Thirteen-year-old Callie McLean has lived with her parents on the edge of the Nevada desert for her entire life, and would never have it any other way. For in this particular location, she has the perfect birds eye view of a herd of wild mustangs that run wild. Callie has wanted a horse of her own forever, but she knows there's a good reason why her family could never have one: there's no money. After all, Callie has to wear patched up old clothes as it is. There's absolutely no way she could expect her parents to be able to provide for a horse, as well. But Callie can dream, and she does just that. Each day, as the herd of wild mustangs comes galloping by, battling one another, or romping in the hard, compressed dirt, her eyes glaze over, and she admires their graceful movements, wishing for the day that one of those mustangs will be hers. Of course, while each animal is beautiful to her, she has her favorites: the mustang she calls Cloud Dancer, and the pregnant palomino mare who never leaves his side, Moonbeam. Callie plans on someday calling Moonbeam, and her foal, hers. But not everyone in Nevada is pleased with the intruding mustangs. In fact, many of the local ranchers complain about the wild horses. And one day, during a periodic round-up by the Bureau of Land Management, Moonbeam is brought in. After the beautiful mare dies after giving birth to her foal prematurely, Callie is heartbroken, but devotes herself to caring for the orphaned filly, now called Moon Shadow. With the little filly's health signaling very touch and go signs, Callie is unsure of whether or not her beloved Moon Shadow will find the strength to pull through. And, if she does, how she will be able to scrape together enough money, and the courage, to adopt the little foal herself. The last time I read a book by Chris Platt, I was 12-years-old, and going through the biggest horse stage in my life, reading just about anything related to horses that I could get my hands on. At the time, it was her book WILLOW KING, which I still cherish, and have read countless times. Reading MOON SHADOW, however, brought back so many old memories, truly re-igniting my passion for horses, and leaving me craving more equine fiction. Callie is a wonderful character who is spirited and passionate. Her caring nature shines through in every page, as she nurses the weakling Moon Shadow, and tries to keep the young filly alive. Callie's mannerisms are kind, and compassionate, and any animal lover, whether they are five or fifty will find a part of themselves in Callie and vice versa. The descriptions of the Nevada plains are breathtaking. And while I, myself, have never visited Nevada, I feel as if I have been there after reading MOON SHADOW. From the vivid descriptions of the sun setting behind the mountains, to the sounds of the blue scrub jays in flight, and the wild mustangs whinnying and neighing as they galloped along the rocky dirt floor were so life-like that I felt as if I were there,

My Dad brought this book when he took me for the weekend. He told me if I read it he would buy me a lot more. He knows I like horses. I read it and fell in love with Moon Shadow. I'm going to ask him to buy me a horse for my birthday next year. This is a grate book and I like the way the auther describes eveything. it seems real to me. I can't tell my name cause I'm a kid. I live in Brooklyn in the USA.

Ever since Chris Platt wrote the award-winning young adult book, WILLOW KING, and then went on to write WK II plus several in the Thoroughbred Ashleigh series, my grandkids, especially Ashley, have been asking me when she's going to write another book. Imagine my delight when I received an ARC of MOON SHADOW and presented it to Ashley on her birthday. (Don't tell her I read it first! I just couldn't resist meeting Platt's new wholesome heroine and seeing the girl solve the problems that arise in caring for and protecting her beloved horse.) There's adventure aplenty in this dynamite book! It's a fantastic book, one that your children will relish over and over again and then read to their own kids someday. It's a keeper! Well-written; realistic characters, but most important (to me) is that Platt is very knowledgable about horses and ranch life. She should be, having been one of Oregon's first female jockeys. Not only that, she raises horses on her own ranch in the picturesque state of Nevada. What a woman! What an author!

Chris Platt does it again! Vivid imagery, realistic characters and a touching story. My daughter loves anything by Chris Platt. This one's a keeper!