A Horse Called Freedom. Angela Dorsey. Markham, ON: Scholastic Canada, 2004. 139 pp., pbk., $6.99. ISBN 0-439-96775-9. Subject Headings: Horses-Juvenile fiction. Ghost stories. Moving, Household-Juvenile fiction. Grades 4-7 / Ages 9-12. Review by Carole Reeve. **1/2 /4

excerpt:

The phantom sensed Jani in the same instant she saw it clearly. With one smooth, noiseless motion it whirled to face her. Jani gasped as she saw two pale blue points of light glittering from a white blazed face. Fear crackled down her spine as she looked into the cold blue glare. One midnight hoof struck out and - boom! - shook the ground. Sparks flew as a hoof glanced off the rock with a second blow.

When Jani's family moves from the city to the country, Jani leaves behind her best friend and all that is familiar to her. She quickly makes a new friend, Penny, and the two girls discover there is a ghost living in the old barn on Jani's property. It is the ghost of Freedom, a beautiful wild horse who was captured and imprisoned in the barn. Jani and Penny must figure out how to free the horse's spirit, and, with the help of Freedom, they succeed. The following spring, Jani's horse Keeta gives birth to a foal that appears to be the reincarnation of Freedom. As the mystery unfolds, Jani comes to accept her new life and friends.

     This haunting story will appeal to girls who enjoy animal stories and horse stories in particular. Dorsey uses very descriptive language, and her own love of horses comes through in her writing.

Recommended.

Carole Reeve is the Assistant Branch Head at the Osborne Public Library in Winnipeg, MB.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

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Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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