Free as the Wind

K-Gr 2—In 1960, children wrote letters asking the Canadian Prime Minister to save the horses living on Sable Island, off the coast of Nova Scotia. They were being captured and sold for dog food. The story is believably told through the eyes of young Lucas, whose family is about to move since his father's job as superintendent of the island has ended. Lucas has grown attached to a wild, old chestnut stallion he calls Gem. When he learns the fate of the animals, he wants to save them, so he starts a letter-writing campaign, and everyone in school joins in. The writing style of this well-told story draws readers into the urgency of the horses' situation. The plot develops quickly. Tooke's realistic, painterly artwork follows the story line well and places readers on the island. The historical background is summarized on the inside front and back covers. This selection will be popular with children who enjoy horse stories, and teachers could easily use it as an example of how children can be empowered to make a difference in the world.—Lynn Vanca, Freelance Librarian, Akron, OH