If Wishes Were Horses

by Natalie Kinsey-Warnock

On a small Vermont farm in 1932, 12-year-old Lily constantly argues with her older sister, Emily. Into this combative atmosphere comes Great-Aunt Nell, who seems to understand both girls. But everything changes when in an act of revenge, Lily pushes Emily into a quarry. Soon afterward, Emily is diagnosed with polio and placed in an iron lung. Despite her intense sibling rivalry, Lily gives up what she most needs and loves -- her horse -- to help Emily, and by doing so makes a poignantly selfless gesture.

Genres: Historical Fiction

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

My sister, three brothers, and I grew up on a Vermont dairy farm in a region known as the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, USA, where my Scottish ancestors settled almost two hundred years ago.

Our lives revolved around our church, our community, and the hard work of farming. Along with milking and feeding the animals each morning and evening, there was the work of each season: maple sugaring, plowing, picking stone, planting, haying, corn-cutting, harvest, cutting wood.

While my parents lives were consumed by farming and providing for their children, they managed to pass on much more to us. My mother, a teacher, instilled in us a love of books and reading, and a curiosity about everything, while my father, besides being an excellent athlete, has also encouraged our interest in the natural world, whether it was identifying birds, trees and wildflowers, or pointing out constellations on a starry night.

My book As Long As There Are Mountains is based on my childhood and my love of the farm, the land, and the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont.

Reviews

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tis book is placed durring the Great Deppression in Virginia. If you love horses and history, this book is for you. I love this one so much, that I've read it 4 or 5 times! Don't tell anyone, but I've cried every time...

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author of this book simply must hate children. I read it when I was 8 years only and it was the darkest thing I had experienced at that point in my life. I still love it to this day. Amazing book that haunts me more than a decade later.

[Paula Newbanks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good story line, likeable believable characters, not quite as filled out as it could have been

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book so long ago that I forget how old I was, I just know it affected me tremendously.

I love horses, and I thrive from my sister-rivalry, this book related to my life so much I couldn't put it down.

In all my years of horseback riding, the one memory that always sticks out to me is when Lily is training Pegasus to jump into water, and she smashes her nose against his neck and it starts bleeding. For some reason, I never forget that.

This is not a bright book.
It does not have a happy ending.
It will leave you feeling hopeless and sad in your own life.
But, it is amazing.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This brought me right back into a Little House on the Prairie world! I was left with so much sadness, though. Honestly, it broke my heart. Especially, Pegasus, that poor, poor horse. I want to find him and bring him to my house. (And I hated when they called him "Worthless".

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natalie Kinsey-Warnock has a way of creating amazing characters about whom the reader cares. Her story lines hold the interest of the young adult reader and build a connection between reader and character. This book did not disappoint.

[Lauren]

I learned that you can't always get what you want and that sometimes you have to sacrafice for what's best for all.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story of a young girl who loses her sister to polio.

[Abigail Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book. Not sure I'd really recommend it though:)

[Tammie Tan · Rating 5 out of 5]

best book ever :) made me cry every time..