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The Wild Path
The Line Tender meets The Secret Horses of Briar Hill in this hopeful, heartfelt story about one girl's search for legendary horses and her quest to piece her family back together.
Twelve-year-old Claire Barton doesn't like the "flutter feeling" that fills her chest when she worries about the future, but she knows what she the land that's been in her family for three generations; her best friend Maya; her family's horses, Sunny and Sam; and her older brother Andy. That's why, with Andy recently sent to rehab and her parents planning to sell the horses, Claire's world feels like it might flutter to pieces.
When Claire learns about equine therapy, she imagines a less lonely future that keeps her family together, brother and horses included. But, when she finds what seem to be mysterious wild horses in the woods behind her house, she realizes she has a bit more company than she bargained for. With this new secret—and a little bit of luck—Claire will discover the beauty of change, the power of family, and the strength within herself.
Twelve-year-old Claire Barton doesn't like the "flutter feeling" that fills her chest when she worries about the future, but she knows what she the land that's been in her family for three generations; her best friend Maya; her family's horses, Sunny and Sam; and her older brother Andy. That's why, with Andy recently sent to rehab and her parents planning to sell the horses, Claire's world feels like it might flutter to pieces.
When Claire learns about equine therapy, she imagines a less lonely future that keeps her family together, brother and horses included. But, when she finds what seem to be mysterious wild horses in the woods behind her house, she realizes she has a bit more company than she bargained for. With this new secret—and a little bit of luck—Claire will discover the beauty of change, the power of family, and the strength within herself.
352 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2020
13 people are currently reading
1949 people want to read
About the author
Sarah R. Baughman
2 books47 followersSarah R. Baughman is the middle grade author of THE LIGHT IN THE LAKE (2019) and THE WILD PATH (2020), both published by Little, Brown Books For Young Readers. A former middle and high school English teacher currently working as a curriculum developer, Sarah graduated from Grinnell College and the University of Michigan, where she studied English, German, and Education. Sarah is represented by Katie Grimm at Curtis Brown, Ltd.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
October 10, 2020
This book was an excellent read! I loved the brother and sister relationship. Andy was a super cool older brother with his stories and his jokes. He was especially fantastic to take his sister exploring in the woods and up the mountains. There were many good reminders, such as about being unable to control everything, especially other people's actions. Marcus' story as well as Nari could be relatable to many readers. For someone with anxiety like the main character Claire, an advice such as being able to disregard the nervousness on the inside because nobody can see it was unforgettable.
"What did one wall say to the other wall?" P42.
This book was told in the first person point of view following Claire, 12. Her older brother Andy, 18 was at a rehab for painkillers addiction. Her mom recently lost her job and now Claire is sad that she's going to lose both of her family horses Sunny and Sam. What kept her going was the snail mails between her and her brother. In the mean time, she also attended a support group to help her understand her role in everything that went on around her. From there, she came up with a plan that could help her brother, give her mom income, and save her horses.
"How does the ocean say hello?" P62.
The Wild Path was well written and a helpful read! I loved that this story mentioned a path and the discovery that each person would have to choose his/her own. I liked the conversation between Nari and Claire about dealing with changes. Their siblings may not be the same as they were before and they will have to learn to accept the new version of them. The support group that Claire attended was pretty awesome. Those jokes were fantastic and I loved sharing them with my son and in my Instagram posts. The horses were an added bonus! I highly recommend everyone to read this book!
xoxo, Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details
Many thanks to Little Brown Young Readers for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
"What did one wall say to the other wall?" P42.
This book was told in the first person point of view following Claire, 12. Her older brother Andy, 18 was at a rehab for painkillers addiction. Her mom recently lost her job and now Claire is sad that she's going to lose both of her family horses Sunny and Sam. What kept her going was the snail mails between her and her brother. In the mean time, she also attended a support group to help her understand her role in everything that went on around her. From there, she came up with a plan that could help her brother, give her mom income, and save her horses.
"How does the ocean say hello?" P62.
The Wild Path was well written and a helpful read! I loved that this story mentioned a path and the discovery that each person would have to choose his/her own. I liked the conversation between Nari and Claire about dealing with changes. Their siblings may not be the same as they were before and they will have to learn to accept the new version of them. The support group that Claire attended was pretty awesome. Those jokes were fantastic and I loved sharing them with my son and in my Instagram posts. The horses were an added bonus! I highly recommend everyone to read this book!
xoxo, Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details
Many thanks to Little Brown Young Readers for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
September 21, 2020
Claire is a 12 year old girl who lives in Vermont with her parents and two horses. Her brother is a recovering addict and the family’s only choice seems to be to sell the horses, as they are not cheap and the center has drained their finances. Claire’s own anxiety is put to the test as her future with the animals is threatened.
The book feels like a bit of a love letter to the north country as well. The crisp air, changing leaves, footing on the ground, and setting in general are so well described. I really loved Baughman’s prose and descriptions throughout the book.
The sensitive topics in the book are handled so, so, so age appropriately for middle grade. I honestly think lots of kids (and adults) will read these passages and be able to relate. Claire is actually a great friend and conversationalist too once she starts trusting someone. The equine therapy helped her own confidence in leaps and bounds as soon as she started with a new friend.
How does she feel about her brother’s actions? Claire is part of a support group for young people affected by addiction, and forming her world view and thoughts and acceptance of her brother’s problems is a huge part of the book. I felt like it was an age appropriate learning process. I also appreciated the need for parents to explain things to kids even if they are tough topics, protecting them isn't always the best idea and I know a lot of kids would rather hear it from the parents than elsewhere. Claire has to realize that people and life in general aren’t so black and white, and i think she has a great character arc with her new friends.
The descriptions of horses, tack, and riding are truly ones that riders will feel through their bones. Non riders should be able to follow along too just fine! The bit of magic with the horses in the woods gave the story a perfect twist of mysticism and magic.
This is overally a really great, quick read, and I think young readers everywhere should give it a go. Claire’s struggles are so tastefully done and heart felt and I really think that young readers will be able to take a lot of good messages from it, such as not blaming themselves for other people's actions, taking time for themselves, and self care.
The book feels like a bit of a love letter to the north country as well. The crisp air, changing leaves, footing on the ground, and setting in general are so well described. I really loved Baughman’s prose and descriptions throughout the book.
The sensitive topics in the book are handled so, so, so age appropriately for middle grade. I honestly think lots of kids (and adults) will read these passages and be able to relate. Claire is actually a great friend and conversationalist too once she starts trusting someone. The equine therapy helped her own confidence in leaps and bounds as soon as she started with a new friend.
How does she feel about her brother’s actions? Claire is part of a support group for young people affected by addiction, and forming her world view and thoughts and acceptance of her brother’s problems is a huge part of the book. I felt like it was an age appropriate learning process. I also appreciated the need for parents to explain things to kids even if they are tough topics, protecting them isn't always the best idea and I know a lot of kids would rather hear it from the parents than elsewhere. Claire has to realize that people and life in general aren’t so black and white, and i think she has a great character arc with her new friends.
The descriptions of horses, tack, and riding are truly ones that riders will feel through their bones. Non riders should be able to follow along too just fine! The bit of magic with the horses in the woods gave the story a perfect twist of mysticism and magic.
This is overally a really great, quick read, and I think young readers everywhere should give it a go. Claire’s struggles are so tastefully done and heart felt and I really think that young readers will be able to take a lot of good messages from it, such as not blaming themselves for other people's actions, taking time for themselves, and self care.
March 4, 2021
داستان دربارهی دختری هست که برادرش رو بهخاطر اعتیاد به قرصهای مسکن به موسسهای درمانی فرستادهان واین مشکل و مشکلهای دیگه کلر و خونوادهاش رو درگیر کردهان.ـ
داستان دوستداشتنی و پر از توصیفهای شاعرانه بود، با این حال شاید کمی برای مخاطب ایرانی غریب باشه؛ نه اینکه بگم توی ایران اصلاً مشکل اعتیاد به مواد مخدر وجود ندارهها، اتفاقاً وضعیت خیلی خرابتر از این حرفهاست و برای همین شاید ناآشنا به نظر بیاد که آدمها بگن اعتیاد بیماریه نه جرم، بیاین کمکشون کنیم، کلی هم موسسهی خوب وجود داره که زیر نظر کلی دکتر و روانشناس اداره میشه و مراجعهکنندههاشون رو شکنجه نمیکنن! برای همین شاید کتاب زیادی آرمانی به نظر برسه.ـ
کلر عاشق اسبهاست و این مسئله خیلی توی کتاب مطرح شده که خب ما همهمون توی خونههامون حداقل یه اسب رو داریم و از این بابت خیلی راحت با این قسمتش کنار میآیم. :)ـ
خیلی وقتها از خودم میپرسم چطوره که توی ایران داستانی هماهنگ با فرهنگ و جامعهی خودمون برای بچهها نمینویسیم که زندگیکردن (منظورم چطور لباسپوشیدن و دستشوییرفتن نیست! که حتی همینها بیشتر ترجمه هستن) رو بهشون یاد بدن. بعد میگم خب اصلاً چه کتابی مینویسیم که حالا اینیکی جا مونده باشه. اصلاً چی سر جاش هست؟
داستان دوستداشتنی و پر از توصیفهای شاعرانه بود، با این حال شاید کمی برای مخاطب ایرانی غریب باشه؛ نه اینکه بگم توی ایران اصلاً مشکل اعتیاد به مواد مخدر وجود ندارهها، اتفاقاً وضعیت خیلی خرابتر از این حرفهاست و برای همین شاید ناآشنا به نظر بیاد که آدمها بگن اعتیاد بیماریه نه جرم، بیاین کمکشون کنیم، کلی هم موسسهی خوب وجود داره که زیر نظر کلی دکتر و روانشناس اداره میشه و مراجعهکنندههاشون رو شکنجه نمیکنن! برای همین شاید کتاب زیادی آرمانی به نظر برسه.ـ
کلر عاشق اسبهاست و این مسئله خیلی توی کتاب مطرح شده که خب ما همهمون توی خونههامون حداقل یه اسب رو داریم و از این بابت خیلی راحت با این قسمتش کنار میآیم. :)ـ
خیلی وقتها از خودم میپرسم چطوره که توی ایران داستانی هماهنگ با فرهنگ و جامعهی خودمون برای بچهها نمینویسیم که زندگیکردن (منظورم چطور لباسپوشیدن و دستشوییرفتن نیست! که حتی همینها بیشتر ترجمه هستن) رو بهشون یاد بدن. بعد میگم خب اصلاً چه کتابی مینویسیم که حالا اینیکی جا مونده باشه. اصلاً چی سر جاش هست؟
September 20, 2020
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and TBR and Beyond Tours for giving me an eARC of The Wild Path, in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis:
The Line Tender meets The Secret Horses of Briar Hill in this hopeful, heartfelt story about one girl’s
search for legendary horses and her quest to piece her family back together.
Twelve-year-old Claire Barton doesn’t like the “flutter feeling” that fills her chest when she worries
about the future, but she knows what she loves: the land that’s been in her family for three
generations; her best friend Maya; her family’s horses, Sunny and Sam; and her older brother Andy.
That’s why, with Andy recently sent to rehab after a DUI, and her parents planning to sell the horses,
Claire’s world feels like it might flutter to pieces.
When Claire learns about equine therapy, she imagines a less lonely future that keeps her family
together, brother and horses included. But, when she finds mysterious wild horses in the woods
behind her house, she realizes she has a bitmore company than she bargained for. With this new
secret-and a little bit of luck-Claire will discover the beauty of change, the power of family, and the
strength within herself.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
My Review:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I absolutely loved this middle grade book about Claire and her love for her horses. The descriptions of being outside in nature pulled at my heart strings. I always said that the feeling could not be described, but it was described perfectly time and again here. Not only was the story a wonderful book about Claire and her horses, but about her family relationships, and her struggles through them.
Favorite Quotes:
"What kind of horse likes to be ridden at night? Nightmares."
"When snow finally comes, always by the beginning of November but usually earlier, it has a swelling silence that goes over everything."
"She says trees show people how long it takes a thing to grow, and how long it can last."
"The sparrows that soar over our barn can actually fly to the tops of clouds, then plunge back to earth. And that's exactly what my flutter feeling is like: It sweeps in from a place beyond me and gets under my skin, shaky as wings."
"People think of fall as a time when everything starts to die, but they just aren't paying attention."
"I watch the mountains roll past, the same shapes as always, but with different colors."
Synopsis:
The Line Tender meets The Secret Horses of Briar Hill in this hopeful, heartfelt story about one girl’s
search for legendary horses and her quest to piece her family back together.
Twelve-year-old Claire Barton doesn’t like the “flutter feeling” that fills her chest when she worries
about the future, but she knows what she loves: the land that’s been in her family for three
generations; her best friend Maya; her family’s horses, Sunny and Sam; and her older brother Andy.
That’s why, with Andy recently sent to rehab after a DUI, and her parents planning to sell the horses,
Claire’s world feels like it might flutter to pieces.
When Claire learns about equine therapy, she imagines a less lonely future that keeps her family
together, brother and horses included. But, when she finds mysterious wild horses in the woods
behind her house, she realizes she has a bitmore company than she bargained for. With this new
secret-and a little bit of luck-Claire will discover the beauty of change, the power of family, and the
strength within herself.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
My Review:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I absolutely loved this middle grade book about Claire and her love for her horses. The descriptions of being outside in nature pulled at my heart strings. I always said that the feeling could not be described, but it was described perfectly time and again here. Not only was the story a wonderful book about Claire and her horses, but about her family relationships, and her struggles through them.
Favorite Quotes:
"What kind of horse likes to be ridden at night? Nightmares."
"When snow finally comes, always by the beginning of November but usually earlier, it has a swelling silence that goes over everything."
"She says trees show people how long it takes a thing to grow, and how long it can last."
"The sparrows that soar over our barn can actually fly to the tops of clouds, then plunge back to earth. And that's exactly what my flutter feeling is like: It sweeps in from a place beyond me and gets under my skin, shaky as wings."
"People think of fall as a time when everything starts to die, but they just aren't paying attention."
"I watch the mountains roll past, the same shapes as always, but with different colors."
September 19, 2020
My inner teen was SO EXCITED to get on this tour - I loved anything to do with horses when I was Claire's age. Breyer, Grand Champions, Barbie horses (no Barbies though thanks), any horse book, and any horse movie. I LOVED this book, it took me less than a day to finish it. The Wild Path is so beautiful and realistic in its story that I don't see middle-grade readers struggling to read this book. The Wild Path hits on a couple of tough subjects with Claire - her brother Andy's addiction, his admission into the rehabilitation center, and Claire's anxiety (sparrows).
While Claire is only twelve she is quite mature for her age and so is her best friend, Maya. The two are not the typical "tweens" that make me cringe. They are both smart, dedicated, and mature in the face of the obstacles they encounter within the book. The reactions and conversations held in this story are written in a way that lends even more realism to the characters. The supporting characters are vibrant, full of life, and contribute to the story in their own way - even the ones we see little of. It was honestly so refreshing to read a book where the character struggled with realistic consequences and feelings - how Andy's addiction affected their family and Claire developing anxiety. Throughout the book, Claire slowly discovers the truth of herself and just how strong she really is. Many tidbits surround the impact of her brother's rehabilitation and the wild horses Claire sees in the woods that I honestly didn't see coming.
I could see this book being a fantastic buddy read for middle-grade readers and whoever they'd like to read it with. The Wild Path would be a perfect atmospheric read for September or October with the chill of fall creeping in. I would highly, highly recommend this book to middle-grade readers (and adults) who enjoy books featuring horses, bonds of family, and tough subjects. I'll be purchasing a physical copy of this book to stash for my daughter to read when she reaches the middle-grade level. I would love to thank TBR and Beyond Tours, Little Brown Books for Young Readers (Little, Brown & Company), and Sara R. Baughman for the opportunity to read and review this book for the blog tour- all opinions are my own.
While Claire is only twelve she is quite mature for her age and so is her best friend, Maya. The two are not the typical "tweens" that make me cringe. They are both smart, dedicated, and mature in the face of the obstacles they encounter within the book. The reactions and conversations held in this story are written in a way that lends even more realism to the characters. The supporting characters are vibrant, full of life, and contribute to the story in their own way - even the ones we see little of. It was honestly so refreshing to read a book where the character struggled with realistic consequences and feelings - how Andy's addiction affected their family and Claire developing anxiety. Throughout the book, Claire slowly discovers the truth of herself and just how strong she really is. Many tidbits surround the impact of her brother's rehabilitation and the wild horses Claire sees in the woods that I honestly didn't see coming.
I could see this book being a fantastic buddy read for middle-grade readers and whoever they'd like to read it with. The Wild Path would be a perfect atmospheric read for September or October with the chill of fall creeping in. I would highly, highly recommend this book to middle-grade readers (and adults) who enjoy books featuring horses, bonds of family, and tough subjects. I'll be purchasing a physical copy of this book to stash for my daughter to read when she reaches the middle-grade level. I would love to thank TBR and Beyond Tours, Little Brown Books for Young Readers (Little, Brown & Company), and Sara R. Baughman for the opportunity to read and review this book for the blog tour- all opinions are my own.
September 12, 2020
Thank you to Edelweiss+ and the publisher for an eARC of this book.
Claire is having a hard time since her brother left for a treatment facility for his addiction to pain medication. The empty spot he left behind looms large, and her family doesn't feel like its the same. If only he would come back, she has a solution to all of their problems. She's discovered some wild horses in the woods that she believes is connected to a decades-old town mystery, and she wants her brother to help her with a plan to turn them into a new opportunity to bring her family together. But what Claire has to accept is that growth means change, and the future she envisions isn't right for everyone she wants to involve. As Claire comes to accept and understand her brother and his story, she learns that her own story has unexpected detours in store for her, too.
I loved how Claire discovers a link between the wild horses she finds in the woods behind her house, and a piece of the town's history from many years ago that she discovers while working on a history project. A discovery in her attic connects her to another piece of the puzzle, and an individual who will have a big impact on her ideas for the future. As Claire is taking pieces of the past and weaving them into her future plans, we watch as her family history unfolds as she discovers more about her brother's secrets, and how they are affecting the future of her family. There are many strings in this beautiful web of a story that the author has created, and I love that Claire ends up in a different place than she expected, but where she's meant to be.
Claire is having a hard time since her brother left for a treatment facility for his addiction to pain medication. The empty spot he left behind looms large, and her family doesn't feel like its the same. If only he would come back, she has a solution to all of their problems. She's discovered some wild horses in the woods that she believes is connected to a decades-old town mystery, and she wants her brother to help her with a plan to turn them into a new opportunity to bring her family together. But what Claire has to accept is that growth means change, and the future she envisions isn't right for everyone she wants to involve. As Claire comes to accept and understand her brother and his story, she learns that her own story has unexpected detours in store for her, too.
I loved how Claire discovers a link between the wild horses she finds in the woods behind her house, and a piece of the town's history from many years ago that she discovers while working on a history project. A discovery in her attic connects her to another piece of the puzzle, and an individual who will have a big impact on her ideas for the future. As Claire is taking pieces of the past and weaving them into her future plans, we watch as her family history unfolds as she discovers more about her brother's secrets, and how they are affecting the future of her family. There are many strings in this beautiful web of a story that the author has created, and I love that Claire ends up in a different place than she expected, but where she's meant to be.
September 19, 2020
Disclaimer: I received this arc and e-arc from the publisher for a tour! Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Wild Path
Author: Sarah R. Baughman
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: middle grade, people who like horses
Publication Date: September 1, 2020
Genre: YA Middle Grade
Recommended Age: 12+ (alcohol, broken family)
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 336
Synopsis: Twelve-year-old Claire Barton doesn't like the "flutter feeling" that fills her chest when she worries about the future, but she knows what she loves: the land that's been in her family for three generations; her best friend Maya; her family's horses, Sunny and Sam; and her older brother Andy. That's why, with Andy recently sent to rehab after a DUI, and her parents planning to sell the horses, Claire's world feels like it might flutter to pieces.
When Claire learns about equine therapy, she imagines a less lonely future that keeps her family together, brother and horses included. But, when she finds mysterious wild horses in the woods behind her house, she realizes she has a bit more company than she bargained for. With this new secret-and a little bit of luck-Claire will discover the beauty of change, the power of family, and the strength within herself.
Review: I thought this was a very sweet book and I really liked how the author created the story. The plot was very engaging to the reader and even though it is a sad book I think that it will connect with a lot of middle grade readers. The book is also a classic horse girl book and I am here for it LOL.
The only issue I had with the book was that I wish that the world building was a little bit better and that we spent more time with the side characters from the book.
Verdict: It was a sweet book!
Book: The Wild Path
Author: Sarah R. Baughman
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: middle grade, people who like horses
Publication Date: September 1, 2020
Genre: YA Middle Grade
Recommended Age: 12+ (alcohol, broken family)
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 336
Synopsis: Twelve-year-old Claire Barton doesn't like the "flutter feeling" that fills her chest when she worries about the future, but she knows what she loves: the land that's been in her family for three generations; her best friend Maya; her family's horses, Sunny and Sam; and her older brother Andy. That's why, with Andy recently sent to rehab after a DUI, and her parents planning to sell the horses, Claire's world feels like it might flutter to pieces.
When Claire learns about equine therapy, she imagines a less lonely future that keeps her family together, brother and horses included. But, when she finds mysterious wild horses in the woods behind her house, she realizes she has a bit more company than she bargained for. With this new secret-and a little bit of luck-Claire will discover the beauty of change, the power of family, and the strength within herself.
Review: I thought this was a very sweet book and I really liked how the author created the story. The plot was very engaging to the reader and even though it is a sad book I think that it will connect with a lot of middle grade readers. The book is also a classic horse girl book and I am here for it LOL.
The only issue I had with the book was that I wish that the world building was a little bit better and that we spent more time with the side characters from the book.
Verdict: It was a sweet book!
December 4, 2022
I’ve read a lot of realistic fiction books lately. Some of which have fantasy in them as well. I’ve also read a lot of really good books lately, but somehow this one stood out. Not in a it’s better then all the others way. It just has a different type of plot. I really enjoyed it! The plot mixes realistic fiction, mystery (which I haven’t read a lot of), friendship and of course horses. The author gave just enough information about how Claire rode her horses. I personally loved hearing about how she rides them because I’m very into horses myself. Claire gets nervous sometimes. She doesn’t like getting nervous but she’s been feeling it a lot ever since she heard that she had to sell her horses Sunny and Sam and since her brother was sent to rehab. However, for a history project Claire learns quite a bit about horses and also finds some quite mysterious ones. With the help of the horses Claire thinks that she might be able to fix everything. As Claire finds friends, learns to relate to people and learns important lessons this book will hook you right away. I definitely enjoyed reading this book and it’s perfect for anyone who likes horses, mystery, friendship and sibling drama and more. Thank you for reading, I strongly recommend this book!
October 4, 2020
I think there will be several middle grade readers for this one. There is some action, mystery, and a major real life problem all combined to make a great story. Thank you to Author Sarah R. Baughman for an advance copy!
May 29, 2020
@kidlitexchange Partner: The Wild Path by @sarahrbaughman. Releases September 2020 through @littlebrown @littlebrownyoungreaders.
I LOVED LOVED this book. I read it in under 24 hours because it was so something I would have LOVED as a kid and it took me back to those happy days. Horses, family drama, and a touch of magical realism populate these 300 pages.
A lot goes on in the book, but all the threads intertwine so well. There are ghost-like horses in the woods. There is the mystery of a boy long ago. And there is the story of dealing with family members who struggle with addiction. That makes it a great teaching tool for kids in similar circumstances. It’s also a perfect, crisp, frosty autumn mystery and I love that it releases in September because of that vibe. It doesn’t actually get chilly where I live but we can pretend.
The Wild Path can be yours to enjoy in September!! Thank you @kidlitexchange for the review copy—all opinions are my own.
I LOVED LOVED this book. I read it in under 24 hours because it was so something I would have LOVED as a kid and it took me back to those happy days. Horses, family drama, and a touch of magical realism populate these 300 pages.
A lot goes on in the book, but all the threads intertwine so well. There are ghost-like horses in the woods. There is the mystery of a boy long ago. And there is the story of dealing with family members who struggle with addiction. That makes it a great teaching tool for kids in similar circumstances. It’s also a perfect, crisp, frosty autumn mystery and I love that it releases in September because of that vibe. It doesn’t actually get chilly where I live but we can pretend.
The Wild Path can be yours to enjoy in September!! Thank you @kidlitexchange for the review copy—all opinions are my own.
December 8, 2021
A MSBA book choice for 21|22
Claire’s world seems to be a mess. Her brother is away, at a place called Starshine, he can’t have his phone, and they must rely on letters to communicate. Claire feels so lonely and sad without him.
When she feels the flutters of anxiety, she goes to the barn to her sweet horses Sunny and Sam. Being around horses always makes her focus and relax. But, her parents say that Sunny and Sam are very expensive and they can’t care for them anymore.
When Claire comes up with a plan to keep her beloved horses, nothing will stand in her way. But even through her determination that nothing change, she must learn that change is inevitable; and there’s always another side.
I loved the way this book tackled such hard topics such as addiction and anxiety. The author did such an amazing job, and I think this is such an important piece of middle grade work.
Claire’s world seems to be a mess. Her brother is away, at a place called Starshine, he can’t have his phone, and they must rely on letters to communicate. Claire feels so lonely and sad without him.
When she feels the flutters of anxiety, she goes to the barn to her sweet horses Sunny and Sam. Being around horses always makes her focus and relax. But, her parents say that Sunny and Sam are very expensive and they can’t care for them anymore.
When Claire comes up with a plan to keep her beloved horses, nothing will stand in her way. But even through her determination that nothing change, she must learn that change is inevitable; and there’s always another side.
I loved the way this book tackled such hard topics such as addiction and anxiety. The author did such an amazing job, and I think this is such an important piece of middle grade work.
November 19, 2020
3.5* An enjoyable story, but somehow didn't have the emotional impact that it seemed like it should. The main focus of the story is dealing with Claire's brother who is in rehab for a drug addiction, so there is a lot about how that impacts family members and the importance of understanding how we can't "fix" people, we can just be there to love and help them the best we can. A solid message, but bordering on polemic at times. However, it may be a useful read for a young person in a similar situation.
April 16, 2021
To be honest, I'm just a beginner in case of reading English books & I'm finding it hard to enjoy them while reading because I'm used to reading Urdu books & I guess they feel like home to me. So I don't know exactly how I feel about this book. It's my 2nd English book till now. But I guess, I can say that it's a heart warming story. The plot has been nicely built & I liked the way the author has ended the story. So if someone prefers reading middle grade books, then I will recommend this one for sure.
January 12, 2021
I find that middle grade books with tough subjects are a favorite of mine. Claire has to find a way to go forward despite her brother's addiction problems and her anxiety. She is such a strong girl but doesn't know it. This also shows how great animals are for healing.
September 13, 2021
Great book on dealing with the fallout from addiction
January 29, 2021
A powerful book about a child struggling with anxiety amidst her brother's addiction. As Claire learns to deal with difficult situations using honesty and compassion, she discovers a path for herself.
October 3, 2020
4/5 stars
This was a very moving middle-grade book. It's dealing with a subject (substance abuse) that isn't easy for anyone to talk about. I absolutely loved the way it was done. I really don't want to say too much because I don't want to take away from the reading experience, so I just highly recommend giving it a read if you are at all interested.
This was a very moving middle-grade book. It's dealing with a subject (substance abuse) that isn't easy for anyone to talk about. I absolutely loved the way it was done. I really don't want to say too much because I don't want to take away from the reading experience, so I just highly recommend giving it a read if you are at all interested.
September 7, 2021
Second 2020 juvenile book in a row (with Dress Coded) that I read with a storytime concerning living with siblings with addiction. I'm so happy to see a main character going to group therapy and learning that she is not alone.
Considering where I am in my life, I found this book to be very heavy, but I'll be interested to see what the kids think.
Considering where I am in my life, I found this book to be very heavy, but I'll be interested to see what the kids think.
September 19, 2020
The Wild Path follows Claire Barton, a 12 year old who’s navigating life after her 18 year old brother Andy is admitted into a rehab center. She feels at home with her horses, Sunny and Sam, more than she does anywhere else, and she doesn’t like the ‘flutter feeling’ she gets in her chest when she ponders over the future.
🐎🐎🐎
Man, it’s been a while since I picked up a middlegrade book, and damn, what took me so long?! This book served as a lovely reminder as to why I like middlegrade in the first place.
🐎🐎🐎
Claire is such a well-developed character! I loved the way the author chose to expand on her personality, and I could totally guess her reactions by the middle of the book, I was that deep into her mind. She is an innocent little ball of emotions, and she has to be protected at all costs ❤ I love how her love for horses shines through the book, and how she dedicatedly invests herself into helping her family as well as take care of the horses.
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Coming to the side-characters, I particularly liked Maya, Claire’s best friend! Their friendship is not always smooth-sailing, but that’s what made it so realistic. They’re ADORABLE 😭💖💖💖 I love me some pure af f/f friendships.
Man, I learnt SO MUCH about horses from this book! It was fascinating. Claire chooses Equine Therapy as her topic for a fair, which was something I had no clue about. I loved reading about how horses help people, and we get to see that right from the beginning from Claire’s interactions with her own horses. One thing I would’ve liked to see more of was the wild horse storyline 🙁 I was supremely excited about that part and I didn’t feel like my curiosity was satiated. Well, the other parts of the book did not let me down 😋
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The storyline with Andy was handled extremely well, in my opinion. Claire’s meetings, her reaction to finding out the truth about Andy, their sweet letters to each other, this is exactly the kind of thing that can be expected from a genuine 12 year old, and Sarah’s characterization of Claire was 100% authentic. Her depiction of anxiety as a ‘flutter feeling’ made me understand how it feels way better than a bunch of popular books with anxiety rep. Also, the storyline with Mr. Hamilton was lovely. I’m always up for some old people-early teens bonding 💖 GIMME MORE OF THAT SHIT 😤.
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All in all, I end my review by saying that I totally adored this book! Everyone should definitely give it a try. AND SOMEBODY GIFT ME A PHYSICAL COPY OF THIS BOOK ASAP, I NEED TO HOLD THIS BEAUTIFUL COVER IN MY HANDS 😩💖😩💖
🐎🐎🐎
Man, it’s been a while since I picked up a middlegrade book, and damn, what took me so long?! This book served as a lovely reminder as to why I like middlegrade in the first place.
🐎🐎🐎
Claire is such a well-developed character! I loved the way the author chose to expand on her personality, and I could totally guess her reactions by the middle of the book, I was that deep into her mind. She is an innocent little ball of emotions, and she has to be protected at all costs ❤ I love how her love for horses shines through the book, and how she dedicatedly invests herself into helping her family as well as take care of the horses.
🐎🐎🐎
Coming to the side-characters, I particularly liked Maya, Claire’s best friend! Their friendship is not always smooth-sailing, but that’s what made it so realistic. They’re ADORABLE 😭💖💖💖 I love me some pure af f/f friendships.
Man, I learnt SO MUCH about horses from this book! It was fascinating. Claire chooses Equine Therapy as her topic for a fair, which was something I had no clue about. I loved reading about how horses help people, and we get to see that right from the beginning from Claire’s interactions with her own horses. One thing I would’ve liked to see more of was the wild horse storyline 🙁 I was supremely excited about that part and I didn’t feel like my curiosity was satiated. Well, the other parts of the book did not let me down 😋
🐎🐎🐎
The storyline with Andy was handled extremely well, in my opinion. Claire’s meetings, her reaction to finding out the truth about Andy, their sweet letters to each other, this is exactly the kind of thing that can be expected from a genuine 12 year old, and Sarah’s characterization of Claire was 100% authentic. Her depiction of anxiety as a ‘flutter feeling’ made me understand how it feels way better than a bunch of popular books with anxiety rep. Also, the storyline with Mr. Hamilton was lovely. I’m always up for some old people-early teens bonding 💖 GIMME MORE OF THAT SHIT 😤.
🐎🐎🐎
All in all, I end my review by saying that I totally adored this book! Everyone should definitely give it a try. AND SOMEBODY GIFT ME A PHYSICAL COPY OF THIS BOOK ASAP, I NEED TO HOLD THIS BEAUTIFUL COVER IN MY HANDS 😩💖😩💖
Read
September 23, 2020I want things to be easier but they just aren’t. It doesn’t mean I can’t be strong anyway.
This book really took my by surprise! As you can imagine I was drawn in by the horse aspect of the story. But wow, this was so much more than that. This book deals with a lot of heavy topics and touches upon some others as well. The biggest part of the story is dealing with addiction in the family and I loved reading about that through the eyes of 12 year old Claire.
Claire’s brother is sent to rehab and she has trouble reconciling her amazing brother with the person he might become. The author writes about this process beautifully and shows we all need help sometimes. I think this book deals with addiction in a way that kids can understand and learn from. It could be so helpful for kids that have to deal with addiction in their own family.
Claire goes to a support group and while she doesn’t like it at first, she learns what it has to offer and even makes a friend or two along the way. I loved this process! Both her family and best friend are very supportive and I simply loved reading that. Claire also deals with anxiety and I really liked how her parents handled that. You could tell it effected Claire but she also slowly learns to deal with it.
Like I said, I loved the horse aspect. It was all written very well and fit with my experience with horse. Equine therapy is a great way to deal with certain problems and to get to know yourself better. I loved how it was incorporated in the story! The part of the story I liked least were actually the wild horses. To be honest, I didn’t really care about that part and wouldn’t have mind if that was left out or written a bit differently. But all the other horse parts were great!
In the end this is a beautiful book that deals with heavy topics. It’s written really well and I read it super quick. I would love to read more by this author in the future and would highly recommend picking this one up!
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September 20, 2020
Even as a 28 year old, I find it fascinating to read about heavier topics through the eyes of a child. The viewpoint is so nostalgic, vulnerable, refreshing, and many times, deeply emotional.
The Wild Path was one I saw on BookTube and I knew I had to pick it up immediately.
Claire, the protagonist, is a 12 year old whose only sibling is in a rehabilitation home for teens struggling with drug addiction. This book is primarily an exploration of the family strain they endure, through Claire’s eyes. For a middle grade novel, I was impressed it breeched this topic, and felt it succeeded in capturing the thought process and emotions a child her age would likely feel. It also addresses Claire’s struggle with worsening anxiety (what she calls the “fluttering sparrows” in her chest), and even attending group therapy sessions. In her sessions, she makes friends with other kids her age with similar situations as her (I loved all of those scenes). Most notably, there’s a moment where she realizes her Black friend’s sibling was sent straight to jail without question, while her own white sibling was offered a choice of “rehab center or jail,” and he got to pick himself. I found it incredibly important and interesting that this was brought up for young Claire and her friend to explore/question.
Overall I adored this, and appreciate it bringing light to the topic of addiction. I know it will help many people, who are like Claire, her brother, and her family, feel less alone.
Also- the Author’s Note at the end, and list of phone numbers and resources was especially thoughtful.
Final selling point: the falls vibes are STRONG with this one.
The Wild Path was one I saw on BookTube and I knew I had to pick it up immediately.
Claire, the protagonist, is a 12 year old whose only sibling is in a rehabilitation home for teens struggling with drug addiction. This book is primarily an exploration of the family strain they endure, through Claire’s eyes. For a middle grade novel, I was impressed it breeched this topic, and felt it succeeded in capturing the thought process and emotions a child her age would likely feel. It also addresses Claire’s struggle with worsening anxiety (what she calls the “fluttering sparrows” in her chest), and even attending group therapy sessions. In her sessions, she makes friends with other kids her age with similar situations as her (I loved all of those scenes). Most notably, there’s a moment where she realizes her Black friend’s sibling was sent straight to jail without question, while her own white sibling was offered a choice of “rehab center or jail,” and he got to pick himself. I found it incredibly important and interesting that this was brought up for young Claire and her friend to explore/question.
Overall I adored this, and appreciate it bringing light to the topic of addiction. I know it will help many people, who are like Claire, her brother, and her family, feel less alone.
Also- the Author’s Note at the end, and list of phone numbers and resources was especially thoughtful.
Final selling point: the falls vibes are STRONG with this one.
February 13, 2021
1. Another middle grade fiction book that doesn't disappoint. The story is told from the perspective of 12 year old Clare Barton. Claire loves her two horses, they provide a calm for her as she struggles with anxiety (not something she or any of the characters really name, but as an adult you understand what she is experiencing). Her life has been disrupted as her older brother, Andy, who she had a very close relationship with, is in rehab due to addictions issue with opioids. The financial struggles that causes for her family, who is also dealing with her mom's recent job loss, poses the likelihood that they will need to sell the two horses - Sunny and Sam - who have been her constants.
2. From this background, Baughman weaves a beautiful story, telling a compassionate and heartfelt story around the axis of Claire's anxiety, Andy's addictions, and how families move forward. The story shows the strength in reaching out, listening to others with similar or shared experiences, and talking about one's feelings. Such a great book for any reader, but particularly for young readers, to see these topics explored openly, with warmth and a sensitive touch.
3. The book flows well and the underlying plot - mysterious wild horses - is compelling and well paced. The open ended nature of the conclusion of the book allows for varied interpretations, which could spring forth interesting and thoughtful conversations.
I loved this quote from the book - "The more time you can find for your 'thing,' the more you'll feel like yourself. And the more you can do that, the more you'll know that your self is a pretty great thing to be." - p.55
2. From this background, Baughman weaves a beautiful story, telling a compassionate and heartfelt story around the axis of Claire's anxiety, Andy's addictions, and how families move forward. The story shows the strength in reaching out, listening to others with similar or shared experiences, and talking about one's feelings. Such a great book for any reader, but particularly for young readers, to see these topics explored openly, with warmth and a sensitive touch.
3. The book flows well and the underlying plot - mysterious wild horses - is compelling and well paced. The open ended nature of the conclusion of the book allows for varied interpretations, which could spring forth interesting and thoughtful conversations.
I loved this quote from the book - "The more time you can find for your 'thing,' the more you'll feel like yourself. And the more you can do that, the more you'll know that your self is a pretty great thing to be." - p.55
September 20, 2020
*I received a copy of this from NetGalley in exchange for participating in the blog tour.
I did not expect to love this book as much as I did, but it thoroughly hit me in the feels. I really enjoyed Claire as a character as she was navigating through dealing with her brother being in rehab for his addiction to pain pills, dealing with anxiety and in general figuring out who she was independently from her brother (or anyone else). I was really in love with how the feeling of anxiety was described throughout the book, Claire likening it to feeling like birds fluttering around her and inside her - though it wasn't immediately called anxiety, I knew exactly what that feeling was.
I also really enjoyed Claire's journey to discovering what she was seeing when she went into the forest and the unwinding mystery that occurred. Claire was really on a journey to find herself and figure out who she wanted to be - as well as come to terms with the truths surrounding her brother's addiction.
I would definitely say there are trigger warnings for anxiety and addiction (and what happens to the loved ones of addicts). I won't lie, I lost my older brother due to a drug related death - so there were parts of this story that hit me between the eyes, especially when Claire was inside her own thoughts, Baughman definitely rings true with the internal conflicts she gave Claire and her family as they tried to navigate their new normal. All in all I absolutely loved this book and Claire's overall journey.
I did not expect to love this book as much as I did, but it thoroughly hit me in the feels. I really enjoyed Claire as a character as she was navigating through dealing with her brother being in rehab for his addiction to pain pills, dealing with anxiety and in general figuring out who she was independently from her brother (or anyone else). I was really in love with how the feeling of anxiety was described throughout the book, Claire likening it to feeling like birds fluttering around her and inside her - though it wasn't immediately called anxiety, I knew exactly what that feeling was.
I also really enjoyed Claire's journey to discovering what she was seeing when she went into the forest and the unwinding mystery that occurred. Claire was really on a journey to find herself and figure out who she wanted to be - as well as come to terms with the truths surrounding her brother's addiction.
I would definitely say there are trigger warnings for anxiety and addiction (and what happens to the loved ones of addicts). I won't lie, I lost my older brother due to a drug related death - so there were parts of this story that hit me between the eyes, especially when Claire was inside her own thoughts, Baughman definitely rings true with the internal conflicts she gave Claire and her family as they tried to navigate their new normal. All in all I absolutely loved this book and Claire's overall journey.
May 24, 2020
Thank you to the author for sharing an advanced copy with Collabookation.
Claire's life has been turned upside down since her brother went away to rehab for an addiction to the pain pills he was prescribed after a snowmobiling accident. Not only is she without her brother - the one who would take her on long walks in the woods and up to the top of the mountain to drink in the stars - but her parents are facing dire financial need. As a result, they must plan to sell the family's horses, Sam and Sunny. Sunny and Sam are the only relief that Claire has for the anxiety she faces on a daily basis, which she explains as her sparrows, constantly dipping and diving in her mind and belly.
I loved this book for its realistic portrayal of a family in crisis. Nothing is sugar-coated and no one is happy with the situation they are faced with. But they must move on any way they can. However, I feel the bigger joy in this book is the peace that getting out into nature provides for Claire. Whenever she needs a reset, she knows to get out with her horses into the forest. She finds calm in the trails and trees and it's beautiful to behold. I love the message it sends children and would hope that this book may inspire some to use nature as a calming and centering force when they're struggling.
Lots to love in this book of difficult situations, I highly recommend it for students in grades 5 and up.
Claire's life has been turned upside down since her brother went away to rehab for an addiction to the pain pills he was prescribed after a snowmobiling accident. Not only is she without her brother - the one who would take her on long walks in the woods and up to the top of the mountain to drink in the stars - but her parents are facing dire financial need. As a result, they must plan to sell the family's horses, Sam and Sunny. Sunny and Sam are the only relief that Claire has for the anxiety she faces on a daily basis, which she explains as her sparrows, constantly dipping and diving in her mind and belly.
I loved this book for its realistic portrayal of a family in crisis. Nothing is sugar-coated and no one is happy with the situation they are faced with. But they must move on any way they can. However, I feel the bigger joy in this book is the peace that getting out into nature provides for Claire. Whenever she needs a reset, she knows to get out with her horses into the forest. She finds calm in the trails and trees and it's beautiful to behold. I love the message it sends children and would hope that this book may inspire some to use nature as a calming and centering force when they're struggling.
Lots to love in this book of difficult situations, I highly recommend it for students in grades 5 and up.
April 28, 2020
Thank you to @sarahrbaughman, #BookJunkies, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for allowing me to be an early reader of The Wild Path by awesome author, Sarah Baughman, in exchange for an honest review. Oh, did I love this book! I read this sad, ultimately hopeful middle grade novel in one day which crushed me and pulled me back to a positive place; I could not put it down! Readers will love Claire; how she deals with the loss of her brother, Andy, the angst of the support meetings she must attend, her quest to find out more about twelve-year-old Jack Hamilton and his horses, and her resolve to win first place in her History Project to save her beloved horses. Claire is truthful, introspective, and doing her best to weather a storm. With parents who care but are dealing with their fear for their son and their inability to pay bills, Claire understands but fears life without her beloved horses, Sunny and Sam. Sarah Baughman’s detail to plot and characters dealing with challenges, the depth of these characters, the beauty of nature, tackling drug addiction and family dynamics, proves this is an authentic book. Claire’s epic struggles with family issues, how she deals with her grief and pain while her brother is in rehab, the imminent loss of her beloved horses and finding an old box containing mysteries, and maybe answers, make this a must-read book!
September 19, 2020
The Wild Path is a beautifully written book that deals with difficult subjects in a way for this age group to understand. I think it may even help children to realize they're not the only one who has had to deal with addiction and how this affects a family as a whole.
Our main character Claire is having a hard time since her brother was sent to rehab after a DUI. This was an interesting aspect of the story. What is addiction? What happens to someone? Why are they at rehab? I feel the author dealt with these subjects in a very age appropriate way. I appreciated the fact that she showed a family doesn't go back to normal when someone goes to rehab and they all need to find their new normal. It was clear Claire has a special relationship with her brother, so this wasn't easy for her. I think through Andy's letters, time with the horses and the support group she goes to were very important to her processing everything.
Horses play a big part in The Wild Path and that made this story very special. I know horses are very sensitive to someone's emotions and I loved how big a part they played during this story. I've heard of equine therapy before and it's really amazing. I loved Claire doing her best to try and win money to keep their horses for equine therapy. I loved the wild horses she found and the story she researches during the book. It felt like this was something Claire needed while processing everything happening at home.
All in all, an amazing story that shows us what happens when a family deals with addiction. I also loved the side characters. The friendships Claire has were amazing and I loved seeing the support group she went to. Making it clear that the addiction wasn't their fault and that they can't change anything is such an important lesson. The author also describes the anxiety Claire is feeling in an interesting way. I would've like to have seen a bit more of this in the book, but it doesn't make it less amazing.
Our main character Claire is having a hard time since her brother was sent to rehab after a DUI. This was an interesting aspect of the story. What is addiction? What happens to someone? Why are they at rehab? I feel the author dealt with these subjects in a very age appropriate way. I appreciated the fact that she showed a family doesn't go back to normal when someone goes to rehab and they all need to find their new normal. It was clear Claire has a special relationship with her brother, so this wasn't easy for her. I think through Andy's letters, time with the horses and the support group she goes to were very important to her processing everything.
Horses play a big part in The Wild Path and that made this story very special. I know horses are very sensitive to someone's emotions and I loved how big a part they played during this story. I've heard of equine therapy before and it's really amazing. I loved Claire doing her best to try and win money to keep their horses for equine therapy. I loved the wild horses she found and the story she researches during the book. It felt like this was something Claire needed while processing everything happening at home.
All in all, an amazing story that shows us what happens when a family deals with addiction. I also loved the side characters. The friendships Claire has were amazing and I loved seeing the support group she went to. Making it clear that the addiction wasn't their fault and that they can't change anything is such an important lesson. The author also describes the anxiety Claire is feeling in an interesting way. I would've like to have seen a bit more of this in the book, but it doesn't make it less amazing.
September 15, 2020
What a fun middle-grade book! The characters were so sweet and the mystery a great side-plot.
First off, the friendship between Claire and Maya was beautiful. No, it was not perfect but even that small detail added so much to the story. They had their disagreements but they were so...I don't even know how to describe it.
Another aspect of the story that I couldn't help but love was the mystery from the past. It was woven so well into the story and just drew me in.
The last thing that I really enjoyed was the writing style. It was never clunky and always smooth with interesting wording.
If you or a middle-grade kid enjoy stories about horses with a touch of mystery, I highly recommend you pick up The Wild Path.
Rating: 4/5
Romance: n/a
Spiritual: n/a
Language: n/a
Violence: n/a
Note: references an accident that happened many years in the past, MC's brother is in rehab for drug usage
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required.
Favorite Quotes:
I open the office door. The room around me feels like a ship, pitching and heaving in storms.
I stumble down the tall, taking big gulps of air to make the sparrows leave.
But they stay. They're whirling too fast for me to catch, their wings slapping my ribs.
No matter how hard I try to brush the sound of Maya's voice away, it's the only thing I hear.
Hooves, curling up, then striking the ground. Tails, streaked with silver. Outstretched necks. I rub my eyes, trying to adjust to the growing dark.
The hooves slow a little as they bear down beside me, then widen and turn until I realize I'm surrounded by a circle of horses. They look at me with their liquid eyes, calm as ponds. They nicker softly, air whooshing through their soft noses. They bow their heads.
"I don't know where to go," I say out loud.
One of the horses tosses her head and I follow the motion, up to the top of what I now see is my favorite maple tree, the one with low branches and a huge V right in the middle, close enough that even when I was little I could always climb up, nestle in, and see far.
I though I was so far away. But I'm almost home.
*Quotes were taken from an advance review copy and are subject to change.
First off, the friendship between Claire and Maya was beautiful. No, it was not perfect but even that small detail added so much to the story. They had their disagreements but they were so...I don't even know how to describe it.
Another aspect of the story that I couldn't help but love was the mystery from the past. It was woven so well into the story and just drew me in.
The last thing that I really enjoyed was the writing style. It was never clunky and always smooth with interesting wording.
If you or a middle-grade kid enjoy stories about horses with a touch of mystery, I highly recommend you pick up The Wild Path.
Rating: 4/5
Romance: n/a
Spiritual: n/a
Language: n/a
Violence: n/a
Note: references an accident that happened many years in the past, MC's brother is in rehab for drug usage
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required.
Favorite Quotes:
I open the office door. The room around me feels like a ship, pitching and heaving in storms.
I stumble down the tall, taking big gulps of air to make the sparrows leave.
But they stay. They're whirling too fast for me to catch, their wings slapping my ribs.
No matter how hard I try to brush the sound of Maya's voice away, it's the only thing I hear.
Hooves, curling up, then striking the ground. Tails, streaked with silver. Outstretched necks. I rub my eyes, trying to adjust to the growing dark.
The hooves slow a little as they bear down beside me, then widen and turn until I realize I'm surrounded by a circle of horses. They look at me with their liquid eyes, calm as ponds. They nicker softly, air whooshing through their soft noses. They bow their heads.
"I don't know where to go," I say out loud.
One of the horses tosses her head and I follow the motion, up to the top of what I now see is my favorite maple tree, the one with low branches and a huge V right in the middle, close enough that even when I was little I could always climb up, nestle in, and see far.
I though I was so far away. But I'm almost home.
*Quotes were taken from an advance review copy and are subject to change.
June 22, 2020
@kidlitexchange #partner Thanks to the #kidlitexchange network and publisher @littlebrownyoungreaders for the review copy of this book - all opinions are my own! Claire is dealing with a lot of anxiety after her brother goes to rehab and her parents tell her they have to sell the family horses. Taking care of Sunny and Sam and riding them through the woods are the only times when Claire knows her anxiety will calm. When she’s out riding one day, Claire notices hoof prints in places she’s never ridden. These hoof prints lead Claire to discover wild horses living in the woods around her home. However, nobody else seems to be able to get a good look at the horses. As Claire becomes more desperate to save her family horses she begins to embark into the woods alone, certain that learning more about the wild horses will help her. As Claire explores and learns more about the horses, she is also learning more about her family and her community. And the reader learns along with her the resiliency of families, how change can lead to great things, and how each of us has our own strength inside. As with Baughman’s debut novel, The Wild Path has touches of magic and mystery woven in that, while never fully explained, feel satisfying none the less. The Wild Path releases this September and is perfect for ages 8 to 12.
September 23, 2020
A beautiful, deeply felt look at the toll addiction can take on a family, including its youngest members. I felt absolutely transported to rural northern New England in autumn (which was so lovely given that I can't travel there at the moment) with the richly imagined setting in Baughman's sophomore novel. Twelve-year-old Claire's confusion over the purpose of her therapy group feels so true to that age, experience, and understanding (or lack thereof) of how addiction works. I loved following along as Claire develops more comfort with the other kids her age whose lives have been upended and affected by a loved one's substance use disorder. This book will provide many helpful windows and mirrors, both for kids in similar situations, and others lacking an understanding for what they are going through. Highly recommended.
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October 27, 2021The genre of this book is fiction. The main character was Claire Barton, she had loved horses and wanted to create a program for equine therapy. They’re credible because they have sympathy for others, they don’t like and they are focused on responsible things. The problem or trial the main character faced was realistic because her brother had been put in rehab for pills and she was just trying to get him out of rehab but have him not addicted to anything, yet still hanging out with horses. This didn’t really create any suspense because it wasn’t something that was built up, it happened slowly and over time. The book was okay, my favorite part was when she actually spoke up in therapy and started gaining friends. Also when she started brainstorming ideas for her program. I’d recommend this to a person that respects and loves horses. I would give this book a rating of 3 stars.
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