About This Book
Reach for this book when your teenager is feeling the weight of external expectations or struggling to communicate a nontraditional career dream. It is a quiet, grounded story about James, a young man who decides to forgo the typical college path to apprentice as a dressage horse trainer in rural Vermont. While the backdrop is equestrian, the heart of the story explores the tension between parental hopes and individual identity. It is a perfect choice for the adolescent who is developing a specialized passion and needs to see that hard work and slow progress are essential parts of finding one's place in the world. The tone is mature and realistic, making it an excellent bridge for readers moving toward adult fiction.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book deals primarily with family conflict and identity. The approach is direct and secular. The resolution is realistic, emphasizing that choosing one's own path doesn't mean the path will be easy or that family tensions will vanish overnight.
