SOLVED. Fiction/Childrens/YA - Pair of orphaned brothers are adopted by their teacher [s]

[Chris]

I'm looking for a book I read either in middle or elementary school about two recently orphaned brothers. The younger brother is a bookish nerd type and the older is seen as a troublemaker. In one scene the younger is reading the book Dune. They're adopted by a teacher who owns a horse ranch.

(view spoiler)[There's an accident near the end of the book. A horse's leg is broken while the older brother is trying to take a short cut or something. (hide spoiler)]

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Tab]

How many years ago did you read this?
Time period/location the story is set in?
Was it a coming of age, fantasy, etc?
Anything about the cover?

[Chris]

Tab wrote: "How many years ago did you read this?
Time period/location the story is set in?
Was it a coming of age, fantasy, etc?
Anything about the cover?"

Thanks for the response Tab.

I read it probably ~~10 years ago. It took place in contemporary times (80s/90s) in North America. A coming of age story would probably describe it best.I can't remember the cover art.

Another thing I remember. The older brother didn't like the teacher at the beginning but started warming up to her as the book went on.

[Elizabeth]

It sounds so familiar.....

[Arielle]

Bumping

[Chris]

.

[Ayshe]

Dare by Marilyn Halvorson maybe?

[Chris]

Ayshe wrote: "Dare by Marilyn Halvorson maybe?"

Yes, that's the one. Thanks! :)

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Fantastic.