Hoofbeats: Katie and the Mustang Book 2

These titles in the new Hoofbeats series introduce nine-year-old orphan Katie Rose, who has been taken in by an unhappy, childless couple, the Stevenses. Katie’s life is one of drudgery, with her only solace being her growing bond with a mustang that is being mistreated by Mr. Stevens. Katie is hopeful when the Stevenses decide to follow the Oregon Trail--until she learns that Mr. Stevens plans to shoot his horse and abandon her in an orphanage. Desperate to go West, the girl and her horse, accompanied by Hiram Weiss, the Stevenses’ hired hand, set out on their own. The second volume follows the travelers across Iowa, where Katie and her horse leave Hiram behind. Duey’s strengths lie in attention to setting details and effective characterizations. Katie and Hiram are especially well drawn; both have been badly hurt and are relearning how to trust. Though italicized comments heading each chapter represent the mustang’s viewpoint, the main story is realistic in both tone and subject. A good start to a series that will be popular with both young equestrians and history buffs.