Full Description

Wild Horses

There is no greater trust than the one between a rider and her horse.

Kirstie Scott lives for horses. She is leading a horse trek through Miners' Ridge when a sudden storm causes a landslide. She is trapped alone in Dead Man's Canyon with a herd of wild horses whose leader - a proud stallion - has been hurt by falling rocks. Cold, wet, and alone in the gathering storm - can she find a way out and help the injured stallion?

What readers are saying:
"I found this book really thrilling and couldn't put it down."

"A thrilling start to Horses of Half Moon Ranch. I would recommend anyone who is able to read it to do so."

"I thought that I would read this book because I have read other books by this author and I love horses. I couldn't put this book down! An exciting and gripping read."

"This story is one that I enjoyed. I hope that the author will continue to display such talent in writing."

Don't miss the other books in The Horses of Half Moon Ranch Series:

• Rodeo Rocky
• Midnight Lady - Available in Spring 2009

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Excerpt

Excerpt

Reviews

Reviews

The Friendly Book Book Sally Riley
This is a great read for girls ages 8-12. All the elements of an engaging book are within the book’s 153 pages - love for animals, mystery, and strong female characters. Problems which face children today occur or are alluded to - such as divorce, single parenting, a major move, and living with grandparents. The themes of setting goals, hard work, and loyalty make this a worthwhile book for young girls. Many girls will relate to the feelings of Kirstie, and cheer her on in the quest to find the injured, black stallion.

Horses.about.com Katherine Blocksdorf
Kristie Scott is leading a trail ride through the Meltwater Trail when disaster strikes. The other riders make it to safety, but Kristie is trapped in a canyon with a herd of mares and their injured leader. This is an easy to read book that should appeal to young horse lovers. It’s filled with adventure and a taste of ranch life. This is the first book in the Horses of Half Moon Ranch series by Jenny Oldfield. Kirstie Scott and her friend Lisa Goodman are horse loving pals. They love to ride, camp and explore the rugged wilderness that surrounds Half Moon Ranch. While Kristie leads a trail ride for guests, she spots a herd of wild horses. But unexpectedly she is soon alone and trapped in a canyon with an injured wild stallion.
This is a fun book, full of adventure. Now, a lot of the situations described are dangerous. I hope no one thinks that it is wise to get close to a wild horse and bind its wounds as Kristie did. But it’s the sort of thing you wish you could do and that’s what makes it exciting. Jenny Oldfield does a good job of building up to the climax of the story. I read the book in one go. She gives vivid descriptions of the surroundings, and like I said in my review of Rodeo Rocky, her descriptions make me want to visit Colorado. The story is never preachy, or ’talks down’ to the reader.

This book describes the background of the Scott fan=mily better then the book Rodeo Rocky, so if you want to understand how Kristie came to live at Half Moon Ranch, it’s worth reading Wild Horses first. Don’t read the second book first, as I did!

Wild Horses should appeal to the 9 to 14 year old group. This is the first book in a series that should keep young readers reading.

A Mom Speaks Blog Courtney Chowning
I was recently given the opportunity to read the first two books in the The Horses of Half Moon Ranch series, Wild Horses and Rodeo Rocky, both written by Jenny Oldfield.

These books follow a girl named Kirstie Scott who lives on a ranch and works with horses. In Wild Horses she saves a wild stallion and in Rodeo Rocky she helps train an ex-rodeo horse. Young girls will have a great time reading the adventures Kirstie goes through.

What I really like about these books are that they are wholesome. There are no worries about taboo subjects or make-up or boys. Just a sweet story about a girl who loves horses.

Teens Read Too Allison Fraclose
Thirteen-year-old Kirstie Scott lives with her mother and brother at Half Moon Ranch, which her mother built up
into a guest ranch after the death of Kirstie’s grandfather.

While on a Saturday trailride with a group of guests, Charlie, one of their cowhands, asks Kirstie to lead the group
into Dead Man’s Canyon while he helps the guests cross a tricky stream swollen with melting snow. Following the
senses of Lucky, her trusted palomino, Kirstie enters the canyon to find a herd of wild horses trapped in the back.
Their leader, a beautiful black stallion, reacts aggressively, and rain begins to pour as Kirstie freezes in an effort to
not upset the herd any further.

Kirstie is about to turn around and leave the canyon when one of the ranch horses, spooked by her inexperienced
rider, races into the canyon and up the trail, causing an avalanche on the weakened ridge. When the dust settles,
Kirstie is unharmed thanks to Lucky, but the black stallion is trapped under rocks, badly hurt.

Now, trapped with the herd while Charlie goes back to the ranch for help, Kirstie does what she can for the
stallion, and she wonders if it will be enough…

I loved reading about this resourceful heroine! Her courage and confidence in her own abilities is what really drives
the plot. This story should resonate with any girl who loves horses and loves to trust her own instincts.

Crazy 4 Kids Books Annie Galvin Teich
Every 11-12 year old-girl I’ve ever known, including me, has gone a little horse crazy at some point. What is it about young girls and horses? In my case, I was fortunate to have a friend down the street who had a horse. She taught me how to groom her horse, how to muck out his stall, the basics of riding, and the best way to feed and water him. I learned that taking care of a horse is an awesome responsibility and one that does not disappear when you start to lose your interest.

I always thought it would be fun to live on a ranch for a summer. In the newly re-published series, The Horses of Half-Moon Ranch, Kirstie Scott does not have to imagine what life on a ranch is like. She lives on the ranch. Her mom, her brother, and a small group of dedicated hands have brought her grandmother’s ranch back to life again and they take in guests during the summer.

In both Wild Horses and Rodeo Rocky, the first two books in the series, author Jenny Oldfield creates a satisfying mix of horse lore, mystery, and local color. Not surprisingly, Kirstie is the most fully developed character but there are plenty of memorable characters, even if a little heavy on stock characters of the old crusty trusted ranch hand and heart-of-gold, hermit in the woods kind.

For many readers there will be much to learn about in these stories including how wild horses are tamed and trained and what a rodeo is like. But the thing that shines through both of these stories and rings most true is the love and connection that Kirstie has for these horses. By caring for them and loving them, she learns much about herself and the world around her. A very enjoyable read.

The Reading Tub
Summary: Kirstie Scott, who is nine, lives with her mom (Sandy), and older brother Matt. Together, they own and operate Half Moon Ranch. Summer vacation just started, and so did the first guests. On the first trail ride of the season, a powerful thunderstorm flooded the trail and started a major rockslide. Kirstie helped the riders to safety but she and her horse were trapped. That same landslide trapped a herd of wild horses in a canyon; and the herd’s leader was seriously injured. Kirstie calmed the Stallion, wrapped the wound, and helped the horse to safety. The next day, Kirstie returned with the vet but the stallion could not be found. Can Kirstie find the horse to help him? This is a middle-grade adventure about a young girl who lives for her love of horses.

Type of Reading: bedtime story, anytime reading, family reading, independent reading, early reader, reluctant reader

Recommended Age: read together: 8 to 10; read yourself: 9 to 13

Interest Level: 8 to 13

Reading Level: 3.9

Age of Child: Teen STAR Review Team, Be the Star You Are!™

Little Kid Reaction: Review pending.

Big Kid Reaction: This is the first book in this series of six titles. It is an excellent story and readers will enjoy this horse mystery. Kirstie Scott is the young woman every girl sees in the mirror.

Pros: Believable characters, mystery, and an all-American girl combine in a story that will grab readers from the first page.

Cons: None.

Borrow or Buy: Borrow, at least. Preteens and teens who like horses and mysteries will want to have this series handy.

If You Liked This Book, Try: RODEO ROCKY (The Horses of Half Moon Ranch Series) , STAR OF WONDER (Lucky Foot Stable Series, #2) , ANNIE: THE MYSTERIOUS MORGAN HORSE

Educational Themes: This book is enjoyable to read and would make an excellent bookclub choice. The story, characters and plot are believable and offer opportunities for discussion about choices, consequences, and responsibility. A savvy teacher or parent will recognize opportunities to discuss the predicaments and challenges that the characters faced in trying to do the right thing.

Notes: Flesch Kincaid reading level 3.9

Literary Categories: Fiction - animal stories, adventure, series book

Customer Reviews:

Specs / Support

Trade Paper Specfications

• Length: 7.75 in
• Width: 5.25 in
• Height: 0.00 in
• Weight: 6.00 oz
• Page Count: 160 pages