CAN'T BE TAMED

The daughter of a horse ranch’s manager and accountant feels her special place with the horses is threatened when the new owner and her daughter move in.

Sixth grader Carolina Aguasvivas loves everything about growing up on a horse ranch in Idaho. She doesn’t even mind cleaning up horse poop when she mucks horse stalls to earn riding time. She’s also excited that the ranch has been sold to a new owner, Ms. Whitby, who aims to start a riding school. Unfortunately, Ms. Whitby’s daughter, Chelsie, appears stuck up, initially balking at her mother’s insistence that she help muck stalls and befriending the girls who’ve made fun of Carolina in the past, calling her a “pooper scooper.” Worse, Velvet, a beautiful new Thoroughbred mare who might just be the horse of Carolina’s heart, belongs to Chelsie. Eventually, though, a moment of danger bonds the two girls: Each of them overcomes their insecurities, and they learn to work together in order to help both the ranch and their community. The book’s descriptions of ranch life are immersive and realistic. The thoughtful protagonist, who brings heartfelt passion and dedication to every aspect of caring for horses—even the messiest parts—will especially appeal to young animal lovers. In their mostly White area, Carolina is of Irish, Mexican, and Argentine descent; Chelsie’s Argentine father lives in Buenos Aires, and her mom is White.

An enjoyable read about horses, friendship, and second chances.