
Reach for this book when your middle schooler is struggling to navigate a parent's significant life change, particularly one involving physical disability or emotional trauma like PTSD. It is a vital resource for military families or any household where a child feels they have 'lost' the parent they once knew to illness or injury. The story follows Hannah, who finds solace in a horse rescue after her father returns from Iraq as an amputee struggling with severe trauma. Through the parallel of rehabilitating broken horses and her father's own journey, the book explores how empathy can bridge the gap created by silence and pain. It is a deeply moving, realistic portrayal of resilience that helps children understand that while a parent may change, the bond of love can be rebuilt through shared healing. Best for ages 10 to 14 due to its mature themes.
Scenes of the father's unpredictable anger and PTSD-induced outbursts.
The book realistically portrays the challenges of living with a parent who has PTSD and physical injuries sustained in war. It does not sugarcoat the difficulty of living with a veteran who has 'invisible' wounds. The resolution is hopeful but grounded in reality, acknowledging that recovery is a long process rather than a quick fix.
A mature 11 or 12 year old who is empathetic and perhaps dealing with a family member's illness or mental health struggles. It is perfect for a child who feels they have to 'walk on eggshells' at home.
Parents should be aware of scenes depicting the father's anger and descriptions of his war injuries. It is best to read this with the child or discuss it alongside them to process the heavy emotional weight of the PTSD depictions. A parent might see their child withdrawing or becoming overly responsible/anxious in response to adult stress in the home. It is for the child who is trying to fix things they cannot control.
Younger readers (10) will focus on the animal rescue and the father's physical injury. Older readers (13-14) will better grasp the nuances of the emotional trauma and the complexity of the parents' marriage.
Unlike many horse stories that focus on competition, this book uses the 'rescue' element as a sophisticated metaphor for human trauma, making it a powerful therapeutic tool. """
Hannah's father returns from the Iraq War with a missing leg and severe PTSD, leaving Hannah feeling like a stranger in her own home. Seeking an escape from the tension and her father's volatile outbursts, she begins volunteering at a local horse rescue. There she meets a mistreated horse named Joey. As Hannah works to gain the trust of the traumatized animals, she begins to see the parallels between their recovery and her father's. Eventually, the horses become the catalyst for her father's own path toward healing.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
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