Review: A book that makes you remember what reading is all about
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 4, 2012
In a recent Twitter chat group, the subject of 'tween' fiction came up ... books that bridge the gap between middle-grade and YA (young adult), much of which seems a little too dark and edgy for most 12- and 13-year-olds, to say nothing of their parents. One of the online participants--a literary agent--gave an electronic sigh, then said that the problem boiled down to shelving, that there wasn't actually a 'tween' fiction section in bookstores which made it kind of hard for booksellers to know where to shelve it. She then added that she'd love to see it, and followed up with: "Tween fiction is a kinder, gentler, YA."That's what this book is ... kind and gentle. It pulls you in with a whisper, wraps you up in its arms, and leaves you feeling really good about having read it.As a die-hard paper-book lover, I'm always impressed when an e-book makes me forget I'm reading on a Kindle. I got so deliciously lost in The Girl Who Remembered Horses that hours zoomed by without my realizing it. I forgot to finish the laundry, the dishes piled up, and that cup of tea I'd been looking forward to, went cold on the counter.The author's talent with words draws colorful and meaningful pictures, so real you can almost smell the scenery. You can see what Sahara, the main character, sees ... the desert, the meager campground she lives in, the dogs and goats she cares for, and now ... the horses.But for all its implied bleakness, this is a book about hope, about a girl's resilience and determination to succeed, and that no matter the circumstances, she's going to hang onto her dream.Prior to reading a book, I don't read reviews or even cover blurbs. I read the first page or two and let the author's voice lure me inside. So, when I began reading The Girl Who Remembered Horses I had no preconceived notions. I didn't even know it was set in the future, which kind of tripped me up when a character found a plastic container. Then the penny dropped. This was post-apocalyptic, one of my favorite genres ... and it included horses. I mean, what could be better?And so, I was hooked.