Finding Home by Corinne Joy Brown and Ginny McDonald- I Read Book Tours-Author Guest PostReview/Giveaway

About the book 

For every girl or boy who owns a horse, or wished they did, “Finding Home” brings all the drama and beauty of America’s wild horses to the middle-grade reader.
A coming-of-age story and a tale about friendship, trust and understanding, both horse and owner have powerful lessons to learn. Together, young Jesse Nolan from Colorado and her wild mustang, Curly Girl, rounded up in Wyoming, discover what it means to rely on oneself, as well as those who love you most.

And others are saying

Born in the flatlands of Rock Springs, Wyoming, newborn mustang Pahaska tells the heart-wrenching story of her separation from her mother and the wild horse herd she was born into. Captured by strangers, her entire world has disintegrated. Penned in the filthy, manure-filled confines of a horse hauler’s trailer, her life is changed forever. Finding Home, a 2020 Spur Finalist for Juvenile Fiction, is a brilliantly written story about the adoption of the mustang “Curly Girl” by a teen who has always dreamed of having her own horse. Ginny McDonald’s illustrations convey fine detail and emotion in the images of the horses, bringing each one to life. This heart-warming tale will appeal to those with a love for animals.” - Joni Franks, RoundUp Magazine, Western Writers of America

“This beautifully written and illustrated book will appeal to any animal loving young reader. Differences (equine and otherwise) are applauded, working through complicated human relationships, a philosophical, well balanced approach to difficult issues (wild horse roundups), and positive animal training techniques are included in this educational, riveting new book!” - Nancy Sachs, Director Platte Valley Pony Club

“To see the world through the eyes of a newborn filly as she grows into adulthood, or an excited young girl in search of her first horse, is a treasure found in Corinne Joy Brown’s novel Finding Home, a story of loss and recovery told in a brilliant way. The illustrations by Ginny McDonald help to refine the wonderful writing which places the reader squarely in the experience of Curly Girl and Jesse, her adopter. Finding Home is a wonderful story for our time, in consideration of the wild horses whose freedom is threatened across the West and the people who adopt the captured ones into loving homes.” - James A. Holmes CEO and Executive Director, Cherokee Ranch and Castle Foundation

Author guest post
Guest Post- Sherry
  Write What You (Don't) Know
There's an old adage recommending that people who want to write start with what they know. If that were the case, most of us would never write about anything but the most mundane subjects. I've learned that half the fun of writing is delving into a new subject to see what you can learn about it, how it can help create a platform for your story, and how it relates to your readers.  
Most of my readers know I'm passionate about the West, the world of ranchers, cowboys, Native Americans, wild horses and more. Each of my books has some connection to Western history or culture. Which is why, approximately 15 years ago, (at the age of 56), I was able to convince my husband that I had to go on a four-day, five night, 100-mile horseback ride through the Rocky Mountains on the famed  Colorado Trail. Myself and 24 other riders would join a seasoned trail guide and honored guest, Texas cowboy poet laureate and famed Western singer, Red Steagal. Being a part of a diverse group of riders from all over the country led by a beloved Western celebrity seemed like a dream experience. I never calculated the myriad risks and signed up in blind faith that all would bode well.
I tell this story because one of the interview questions suggested for these virtual  iRead Author Tours was "what was your most courageous experience?" I've never done much that was heroic, except for one occasion on a morning horseback ride with friends, a helicopter flew overhead and one colleague's horse, a huge thoroughbred mare, went completely ballistic and threw her rider off. The woman was terrified and wouldn't get back on. With dubious bravado, I offered her my little Arabian gelding while I volunteered to climb aboard her frightened horse and, somehow, ride him home. I admit I was shaking as I sat in the saddle. Miraculously, I managed to settle him down and live to tell about it. I was lucky. 

But this 100 mile, high-country trail ride was something else. The group averaged  20 grueling miles a day, mostly on trails between 9000 and 10,000 feet above sea level, with freezing nights and sweltering days. We endured rainstorms  and lightning, steep trails and  swamplands. I rode a borrowed pack horse that had never been trained under saddle, but was a great follower. From our difficult start on Day One  where one horse escaped, another was severely injured, and a cowboy was bucked off, needing hospitalization, to the bitter end where we arrived four hours late in the dark to our pickup area, this experience was  a defining passage in my life. Every day took courage I didn't know I had. I learned fast that the only way was forward. Just 16 riders finished the trip, and I was one of them. Call it research or just plain crazy, but my work is all the richer for it. 

And I thought
What a fun read.  I always love getting the chance to read a horse or Cowboy book.  No matter the intended audience because I like to find books that I can share with my horse crazy grand kids.  
Books like Finding Home are great to encourage young readers.
Our family loves horses.  We love the chance to read stories about horses and love to be able to share them.
Finding Home was a great book that we are adding to our shelf.
It is well written and helps the reader learn about about the Wild Horses can be trained and socialized and become a part of someone's family.
Finding Home is another great read that can be shared by the family.
If you are lookimg books to add to your homeschooling plans or just have extra time to read together this is one you will want to check out.

I received a compilentary copy.
My review will appear on retail sites and Good Reads.
Buy the book 

Amazon ~ B&N

Visit the tour 

Enter the Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway