Mustang, Wild Spirit of the West by Marguerite Henry

Summary:

For as long as she could remember, Annie loved the beauty of Mustangs, wild horses. She loved their short bodies and strong legs. She loved watching their manes and tails blow in the wind. She always knew that she was born to help them. Her Pa always told her Wild Mustang ran in their blood.

Annie didn't have an easy childhood. When she was 12 she got polio which ended up disfiguring her face. She had to stay in a hospital for six months. Thankfully she came out of the hospital somewhat better and after being given her favorite Mustang, Annie was happy.

Until one day, on her way to work, Annie meets a truck stocked full of wild Mustangs bleeding and half-dead. Following the truck, she finds that the horses were rounded up cruelly by air and brought to a plant where they killed them for dog food. Annie knows it's up to her to save them. And plain Annie becomes "Wild Horse Annie".

Word of Caution:

This book does mention God but I do not believe the author is Christian based on other books I've read from her. This book is great but her other books have themes I do not agree with.

Also, the way these horses were treated is horrible and cruel. Animal lovers may have a hard time reading this book because of the cruelty.

Positive Notes:

This is one of the best horse stories I have ever read. And to make it even better it's based on a real person, Velma Bronn Johnston (aka Wild Horse Annie). It's an amazing story of courage, sacrifice, and true horse love. It will take you on an adventure of a lifetime in an effort to save beautiful creatures from cruel deaths.

Who:

Great for girl horse lovers aged 11-16.