Wild Girl
By Debra Bogart,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Horse tale with more depth and a strong girl lead.
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What's the Story?
A young Brazilian girl immigrates to join her father and brother in America after five years apart. She has much to learn about her family and life in a new country, and everyone must adjust to the fact that she is no longer 7 years old. A young filly undergoing similar changes and an old mare who needs love both ease Livie’s transition, so do exceptionally loving and supportive adults.
Is It Any Good?
This is a strong, sweet story about an immigrant family building a new life, but keeping strong ties to their life in Brazil. It features a great main character who is brave and empathetic, unusual details about the world of horse racing and training, and positive role models both young and old. Some sad but realistic events keep the story from being predictable and saccharine.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what it might be like to move here from another country.
If you moved away from here, what would you miss most, and what would you take with you?
What was the bravest thing that Livie did?
How would you and your classmates react if a new student had the same accident that Livie did?
Book Details
- Author: Patricia Reilly Giff
- Genre: Family Life
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Wendy Lamb
- Publication date: August 11, 2009
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 147
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
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