Out of the Valley of Horses
by Wendy Orr (Author)
The valley of horses has been a safe haven for Honey and her family for seven peaceful years, but this seemingly perfect valley has also become their prison. Trapped by a mysterious magic, and fearing for her father's life, Honey is determined to find a way out of the valley of horses.
The valley of horses is the only true place Honey remembers since her family stumbled upon it in their converted ice cream truck while escaping from the rest of the world, and the illnesses that was spreading there. Honey's parents, her brother Rumi, and her NanNan become self-sufficient, living off the land and sharing the valley with mystical horses who seem to have a wisdom of their own. But there is a magic in the valley that prevents Honey and her family from ever leaving. When Honey suspects her father has become ill, Honey knows she must find a way to escape the valley to find help from a world she only knows about through stories.
Wendy Orr, author of the award-winning Nim's Island and Dragonfly Song, creates a magical land filled with awe and mystery. Showcasing the endurance of family, and the beauty of restoration and self-sufficiency, Orr crafts a heartfelt adventure and enchanting world to fall into.
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Gr 3-7--A family escapes into the wilderness fearing a global pandemic. Siblings Honey and Rumi, along with their parents and grandmother, find themselves in a magical location with a herd of horses that accompany them for seven years until it is necessary for them to venture back out into the world. With the feeling of a classic escape story akin to "The Swiss Family Robinson" or "The Boxcar Children," the family dynamics and connections to nature (particularly with horses), make this a novel that will sink into readers' bones as they root for the family and worry as things start to unravel. Making do with what they find in nature and what they have brought, the family learns to survive in the Australian wilderness without any outside contact. Rumi and Honey are led to believe that no one outside their family might be alive, and if there are survivors they might be lawless. When Papa falls very ill the children, along with their horse companions, must brave the natural and magical boundaries that have kept them isolated in order to save his life in a gripping conclusion. This is a wonderful, unique family survival story with a majestic herd of horses who are not portrayed as wild animals, but as the wise creatures that they truly are. VERDICT Orr's latest will delight middle grade readers searching for escape and home simultaneously. Highly recommended for middle grade fiction collections.--John Scott
Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.Review quotes
49th Shelf Spring 2024 "Most Anticipated Books for Young Readers" Selection
"The pace of the story is frantic, non-put-downable....an absolutely compelling and original and fast-moving fantasy."—Youth Services Book Review ★ Starred Review
"Young readers who like magic, adventure, and horses will love it!...a spellbinding tale....as magical as that of Orr's popular book Nim's Island, with a sprinkling of ancient fairy tale dust and plenty of magical horses, make this a must-read."—The International Educator
"I was on the edge of my seat as Honey embarked on a daring quest to escape the valley's boundaries. Fantasy readers will love this world, blending reality with fiction and the magical horses."—Kids Book Buzz
"A great portal fantasy."—YA Books Central
JUV037000 - Juvenile Fiction | Fantasy & Magic
JUV015020 - Juvenile Fiction | Health & Daily Living | Diseases, Illnesses & Injuries
JUV001010 - Juvenile Fiction | Action & Adventure | Survival Stories
JUV002130 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Horses
Sick
Families
Family life
Survival
Horses
Domestic fiction
Communication
Hope
Social isolation
Animal fiction
Novels
Magic realist fiction
Valleys
