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I Rode a Horse of Milk White Jade

3.93 of 5 stars 3.93 · rating details · 303 ratings · 46 reviews

Born on the Mongolian steppes during the reign of Kublai Khan, Oyuna's future seems decided when, as an infant, her foot is crushed by a horse. Her clan believes she has been cursed by bad luck, and she is confined to her family's tent to cook and sew. But Oyuna dreams of bringing honor and good luck to her family. Disguised as a boy and with only her beloved old mare and...more

Paperback, 304 pages

Published September 8th 1999 by HarperCollins (first published 1998)

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Oct 19, 2011 Mary marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: crone-6th-historical

From School Library Journal
Grade 6-10AIn 14th-century China, an elderly woman tells her granddaughter about her early life on the Mongol steppes, beginning with the day a horse crushed her tiny foot, crippling the young Oyuna. According to her nomadic clan's religious beliefs, this incident brought bad luck to her and her family. Thereafter, she views any misfortune visited upon her family as her fault, even her mother's accidental death. Her one joy is her new white horse. When the mare is comm...more

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Feb 11, 2010 Victoria Dixon added it

Book Review I Rode a Horse of Milk White Jade

Diane Lee Wilson

I Rode a Horse of Milk White Jade opens with the main character as an elderly woman telling her tale to her granddaughter. So while there is never any question as to the main character's survival, this YA book nonetheless captured my imagination and I am not someone who routinely reads YA. Ms. Wilson's fantasy is fluid, descriptive and unobtrusive. You'll never realize she holds the reins. If you rate by the tears-o-meter, it is by far...more Book Review I Rode a Horse of Milk White Jade

Diane Lee Wilson

I Rode a Horse of Milk White Jade opens with the main character as an elderly woman telling her tale to her granddaughter. So while there is never any question as to the main character's survival, this YA book nonetheless captured my imagination and I am not someone who routinely reads YA. Ms. Wilson's fantasy is fluid, descriptive and unobtrusive. You'll never realize she holds the reins. If you rate by the tears-o-meter, it is by far the best book I've read in months.

When Oyuna of the Kerait tribe is mamed – her foot crushed – by a black mare, she is marked forever. Her parents try every treatment imaginable, but there is no cure for her foot, her life or her luck. Still, Oyuna knows she is meant for more than stirring mare's milk into ayrag. She dreams of speed and freedom, but needs a fast horse to win the next great race and make her dream come true.

Yet when her father allows her to pick a horse, her choice is Bayan, a mare well past her prime. But Oyuna cannot turn away when she hears the horse's plea for help. Reluctantly, Oyuna rescues Bayan and their friendship changes Oyuna's life.

The soldiers of Kublai Khan take riders, food and horses from Oyuna's tribe, including Bayan. Rather than lose her mare, Oyuna masquerades as her stepbrother and leaves with Bayan and the soldiers. Oyuna is discovered and she and Bayan are dismissed from military service. They now serve as a currier to the great Khan. This is good news to Oyuna, who knows the Khan has a herd of ten thousand white mares. If she and Bayan deliver his precious message in time, perhaps he will give her a fast horse.

She and Bayan brave many dangers crossing the Gobi, but at last reach Kublai Khan's court. Received well, Oyuna develops a friendship with the Khan, but he wants Bayan for his own. Rather than leave her friend or trade her for the mount she wants, Oyuna stays in her ruler's service. Then tragedy strikes the Khan's herds including Bayan. Only Oyuna can save her beloved mare, but time is faster than any horse.

You must read "I Rode a Horse of Milk White Jade" to discover the ending. Nothing will induce me to tell, but be prepared when you read this book. Pack a lunch so you won't have to get up and have tissues close by. You'll need them.

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Jan 10, 2009 Laina rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really did like this book. I absolutely love the Mongolian culture, so I ate this story right up. I really liked the main character and her obstinacy and passion, and I connected well to the horse and especially the cat. :)

So why four stars instead of five? Well, even though I loved the way it was told (between the grandmother and granddaughter) it held my familiarity back. I never really felt like I ever was the main character-- I just saw her. I felt like I was being told the story-- not tha...more

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Apr 19, 2010 K. Bird rated it 3 of 5 stars

I am constantly on the outlook for historical fantasy featuring a strong, female protagonist in a non-Western setting. (and I am especially partial to China, Mongolia, Japan, and Korea).

So when I encountered this book I had my "please let this be good" stars in my eyes.

I think sometimes that desire to find a book obscures any kind of chance at an impartial reading, or just a general, enjoyment reading of a book.

In this case, while the main character of the book was compelling (lamed foot in a no...more I am constantly on the outlook for historical fantasy featuring a strong, female protagonist in a non-Western setting. (and I am especially partial to China, Mongolia, Japan, and Korea).

So when I encountered this book I had my "please let this be good" stars in my eyes.

I think sometimes that desire to find a book obscures any kind of chance at an impartial reading, or just a general, enjoyment reading of a book.

In this case, while the main character of the book was compelling (lamed foot in a nomadic, horse-riding culture of the steppes) and her interaction with her grandmother/shamaness and with the male soldiers really interesting, I found the most interesting parts of the book to be somewhat rushed and summarized instead of allowing the reader to soak up every detail.

For instance, the climax of all the signs and portents Oyuna has experienced, her conviction that Bayan, the white mare she risked her entire life to follow by pretending to be a boy and riding after the Khan's army when they requisitioned the mare, is the most important thing in her life is tested when Bayan is struck down by a mysterious disease. And that's fine, but the journey to get the cure for this disease, linked as it is with her grandmother's death, should be the compelling climax of the book, and instead we get a mostly summarized version. The final race that Oyuna wins at the end feels tacked on, almost an afterthought, when it had been the focal point of her dreams her whole life.

If I could have given this book 3.5 stars, I would have. I enjoyed the references to culture, the mare's milk, the military customs of the Khan's army, and the day to day life Oyuna must navigate, are all really interesting. The writing itself never intrudes on the story, althought the framing device of Oyuna-as-grandmother talking to her grandaughter as a mare gives birth felt a little contrived sometimes. And the episodes of her danger with the Khan's army, the escape from the station mistress who would marry her off against her will, and the cave of death were all very exciting.

In the end, however, I still haven't found the book I was looking for, and that may be more my fault then that of the Milk-white Jade Horse.

This Book's Food Designation Rating: Pita chips and hummus, delicious, crunchy with interesting bits and creamy with a smooth narrative, but in the end you still crave something else to go along with it.(less)

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Aug 28, 2011 Evelyn rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: action-adventure, fantasy, historical

A book set on the Mongolian steppes during the reign of Kublai Khan = must read. Because no one writes about Mongolia.

Oyuna was a very, very conventional children's book protagonist: a spunky girl who likes horses and disguises herself as a boy and has a smart cat sidekick. Clearly, she was not what made this book good.

Rather, it was the setting. The gratuitous use of Mongolian words was occasionally grating, but the details of steppe life - that I could not get enough of. The obo of the mountai...more

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May 27, 2012 Virag rated it 3 of 5 stars

Years ago, I read an excerpt from I Rode a Horse of Milk White Jade from a collection of horse stories, and even though it was about four pages long, the idea stayed with me. So when I found this at a used booksale for a killer price, I could not pass it up.

Basically, I can compare Oyuna to Alanna from Tamora Pierce's Song of the Lioness series, or Eona from Alison Goodman's duology. Which is great, because the heroines from all of the above books have guts and a sense of adventure. Yummy.

Okay,...more

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Mar 05, 2013 Beth Sutherland rated it 4 of 5 stars

This started as an effort to help my nine year old with a book report. After the first night's read-aloud, I told my husband getting through this book was going to be torturous. However, night 3 had me reading aloud well after my poor little girl was sound asleep. I absolutely fell in love with the courage of Oyuna, and had to know what luck awaited her.

My girl was slightly disappointed at how a certain critical loss was handled; she felt strongly that the characters involved were due a face-to...more

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Aug 19, 2012 Rachel rated it 4 of 5 stars

I thought this was a good story. There is some mysticism/religion in it, because that is the culture. Shamans are in the book, as well as mentions of the native gods and such of the people. But the adventure is good, the story well-plotted and written and I liked the characters pretty well.

The whole setting is fresh and beautiful, as I hadn't ever read a book set in Mongolia. I love Oriental people and their ways of living, and this was just the thing. I learned some about the culture and the pe...more

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Jul 15, 2012 Margo Berendsen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-my-reads, people-of-color-challenge, historical-fiction, ya-historical-fantasy, highly-recommend, young-adult

Deep, happy sigh.

This was like a historical version of The Blue Sword and Hero and the Crown, fantasy stories by Robin McKinley.

Wonderful proof that the real world can be just as compelling as any fantasy world.

The setting is in the 1200's in Mongolia and China ruled by Kublai Khan, with one brief reference to Marco Polo that made me smile.

The setting is vivid and harsh and beautiful. The combination of great setting, harrowing quest against impossible odds, and several memorable characters m...more

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May 14, 2011 Rebecca Radnor rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction-ya, diasabled-overcome-adversity, china-chinese

Exciting adventure story of a disabled Mongol girl (a horse had smashed her foot as a child) during the time of Kublai Khan. One day at a horse fair, she finds a horse speaking to her, and even though the horse like her is lame, she convinces her father to buy it for her. While most thought her unlucky, her grandmother, a shaman convinces her that they are wrong, that she was 'chosen' by the horse and this explains her affinity to them -- and that yes, she really can talk to her horse. Together...more

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Oct 11, 2008 Emma rated it 4 of 5 stars

I Rode a Horse of Milk White Jade by Diane Lee Wilson was selected as a Best Book for Young Adults in 1999 by the American Library Association. I didn’t know any of that when I read the book back in 2000. My copy has since disappeared, but at the time, this was a rare book that I owned. Thinking about it now, my mom must have procured my copy during her tenure as a researcher at Harper Collins.

But enough about me, this is about the book after all.

A quick and dirty way to define this book, oddly...more

I Rode a Horse of Milk White Jade by Diane Lee Wilson was selected as a Best Book for Young Adults in 1999 by the American Library Association. I didn’t know any of that when I read the book back in 2000. My copy has since disappeared, but at the time, this was a rare book that I owned. Thinking about it now, my mom must have procured my copy during her tenure as a researcher at Harper Collins.

But enough about me, this is about the book after all.

A quick and dirty way to define this book, oddly enough, is in terms of a cartoon movie. The plot here is similar to the legend of Mulan, which I know from the Disney version released in 1998 (I can’t believe it’s been a decade, good grief). Although her motivations are different, our heroine does follow a group of soldiers while disguised as a boy. The difference? Mulan went to war to fight the Huns. The main character of I Rode a Horse of Milk White Jade is a Hun.

At the best of times, living on the Mongol Steppes involves harsh conditions. For Oyuna that is even more true. As a young child, almost beyond the range of her memory, a beautiful horse came near Oyuna. Fascinated, the child knew that her future–her entire life–would be tied to horses. She knew this to be true even as a horse stepped on her foot, effectively crippling her for life. Add into the bargain the fact that every member of Oyuna’s family are now anxious to keep her away from horses for fear of another unlucky incident that will further burden the family with bad luck.

Every family member except her grandmother that is, who (as the back cover convenienty points out) tells Oyuna “The horse claimed you as its own and invited you upon its back to travel with the wind.” Oyuna believes in her grandmother’s words even more when she crosses paths with a swift, white horse.

Positive that their fates are cobbled together, Oyuna dresses as a boy and follows her horse when it is commandeered by the Khan’s army. Oyuna’s path leads her not only to her horse, but also directly to the court of Kublai Khan, and–even more valuable–the knowledge that she has the power to change her own luck once and for all.

If my mom hadn’t given me a copy of this book, I never would have picked it up. But I’m glad the book came into my possession. Oyuna is an arresting character, with a strong narrative voice that makes this work of historical fiction feel very contemporary and relevant. Not an actual princess, Oyuna can’t strictly be called an “anti-princess” heroine. All the same, I Rode a Horse of Milk White Jade presents a strong girl making her own way (in a great story).
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Jul 18, 2009 Kathleen Kirby Vallejo rated it 1 of 5 stars

I was not impressed with this book. It was suggested to me by a librarian who has given me other very good suggestions so I was excited to read it. But not so excited after I started it. The only reason I finished it was because I hate to not finish a book. I was bored with it, never really connected to the main character, couldn't wait for it to be over. It wasn't that it was a horrible book or poorly written, I just didn't like it.

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Nov 20, 2008 cleo rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone who loves horses or ancient Chia

Recommended to cleo by: Mom

This is a preety deacent book. At the beginning it is kind of boring but I LOVE the middle and the ending. It was very interesting to hear what ancient China was like! Go to:

http://www.harpercollins.com/books/97...

If you want to learn more about it.

If I know you and you would like to borrow it that's fine with me!

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Jan 12, 2011 Jenny rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical, teen

Oyuna tells her granddaughter the story of her life. She was crippled by a horse as a toddler, but she loves horses anyway. When soldiers come to her ger and steal horses and men to be soldiers, she disguises herself as a boy so she can stay with her beloved mare Bayan. Her journey leads her to the court of Kaubli Khan and a chance to save the sacred herd of white horses.

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Oct 18, 2012 Kim rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Sophia

Recommended to Kim by: Sonlight

Shelves: great-girl-read, historical-fiction, sonlight-book

It took me a long time to finish this book. I love the way the author has such a gift of words, but not until the final chapters did I fall in love with the story. It is a story of over coming handicaps, bravery, loyalty, courage, and of listening with your heart and pulling your own luck out of the air.

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Feb 10, 2011 Marsha added it

Checked this one out and hoped that someone might be interested in reading it this month. I just don't have enough time....but will scan through the first part of it to see who I think it might match up with.

Not so much my book....maybe I should try it again when I'm not so pressed.

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May 19, 2010 Jennifer rated it 3 of 5 stars

I love teen fiction because it's great writing in a quick-read format. I really connected to the character, not because I am at all similar, but because it was so well able I was able to be her as I read it. I liked her spunk and her determination, even when she was almost paralyzed with fear she stood up for herself.

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Feb 11, 2012 Joan rated it 5 of 5 stars

Having speent a month in Mongolia learning about the horses and watching the long race during the festival in Uulan Bator, I loved this horse book about the young girl and her white mare. It brought back wonderful memories.

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Jan 20, 2010 Mindy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Book club strikes again. Wasn't particularly interested in this when it was suggested, but really liked it. A good young adult historical novel with almost a fairy tale kind of touch. Strong main character—reads really fast.

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May 03, 2012 Mary rated it 3 of 5 stars

Recommended to Mary by: Margo

Shelves: children-s

A strong girl heroine, which I always like. This is really a love story between a girl and her horse. I also like how her cat tags along for all the adventures. A good glimpse into the lives of the Mongolians long ago.

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Apr 04, 2013 Mary B rated it 5 of 5 stars

I loved reading this book. The descriptions are so clear and I was right there with Oyuna and her beautiful horse on the steppe. I want to read more of Diane Lee Wilson's books.

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Feb 13, 2012 Susan rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is a well-crafted story that weaves elements of other fantasy tales. It is also well-researched and the characters are engaging.

Thoroughly enjoyable read!

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Oct 16, 2010 VeggyGirl/Hanami rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: just-plane-amazing

Amazing
I love this book. in the start of it you know that there is a happy ending. But you still don't know the out come. Its one of the books i love to read again and again. I dont know about you but i Love Baktor (or however you spell it)

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Jul 23, 2009 Megan White rated it 5 of 5 stars

I really liked this book. I read it about three years ago, but I still remember it being really good. I even think it was my favorite book at some point...

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Jul 28, 2009 Andrea rated it 3 of 5 stars

Very Mulan-esque book about a girl who is forced to go to war in place of a male relative. Action packed, with a little romance thrown in, too.

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May 23, 2012 Siri rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: epic-fantasy

This is one of those books that is a classic. It was one of the books that really started me into reading! Great story, great author!

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Jun 06, 2011 Amanda Caswell rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ya-novel, coming-of-age

I can't count the number of times I have read this book. Oyuna is maimed by a horse while living with her family on the Mongol steppes, but disfigurements are curses and she is always an outsider. She finds freedom of movement and others' opinions while riding. When the khan takes her horse, she dresses as a soldier and follows, the army discovering the disguise too late. They send her away on a solitary mission and Oyuna begins to think maybe fate has greater things in store for her. It's a bea...more

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Oct 02, 2009 Hannah Smilansky marked it as to-read

to read booklist

about a girl who crippled her leg in early life and learned to ride a horse to win her family some fortune

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May 14, 2010 Alyssa rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really liked this book even though I'm not big on reading mongolian culture type books.

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Mar 22, 2013 Valerie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mg

This one stuck with me because after reading it, my students made a felt piece with me.

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