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Book Details:
Book Title: FINDING HOME by Corinne Joy Brown and Ginny McDonald
Category: Middle-Grade Fiction (Ages 8-12), 130 pages
Genre: General Fiction
Publisher: Loose Cayuse Productions
Release date: June 2019
Content Rating: G. There are no expletives, sex scenes or bad language anywhere.
“Born in the flatlands of Rock Springs, Wyoming, newborn mustang Pahaska
tells the heart-wrenching story of her separation from her mother and
the wild horse herd she was born into. Captured by strangers, her entire
world has disintegrated. Penned in the filthy, manure-filled confines
of a horse hauler’s trailer, her life is changed forever. Finding Home, a
2020 Spur Finalist for Juvenile Fiction, is a brilliantly written story
about the adoption of the mustang “Curly Girl” by a teen who has always
dreamed of having her own horse. Ginny McDonald’s illustrations convey
fine detail and emotion in the images of the horses, bringing each one
to life. This heart-warming tale will appeal to those with a love for
animals.” - Joni Franks, RoundUp Magazine, Western Writers of America
“This beautifully written and illustrated book will appeal to any animal
loving young reader. Differences (equine and otherwise) are applauded,
working through complicated human relationships, a philosophical, well
balanced approach to difficult issues (wild horse roundups), and
positive animal training techniques are included in this educational,
riveting new book!” - Nancy Sachs, Director Platte Valley Pony Club
“To see the world through the eyes of a newborn filly as she grows into
adulthood, or an excited young girl in search of her first horse, is a
treasure found in Corinne Joy Brown’s novel Finding Home, a
story of loss and recovery told in a brilliant way. The illustrations by
Ginny McDonald help to refine the wonderful writing which places the
reader squarely in the experience of Curly Girl and Jesse, her adopter. Finding Home
is a wonderful story for our time, in consideration of the wild horses
whose freedom is threatened across the West and the people who adopt the
captured ones into loving homes.” - James A. Holmes CEO and Executive Director, Cherokee Ranch and Castle Foundation
Book Description:
For every girl or boy who owns a horse, or wished they did,
Finding
Home brings all the drama and beauty of America’s wild horses to the
middle-grade reader.
A coming-of-age story and a tale about friendship, trust and
understanding, both horse and owner have powerful lessons to learn.
Together, young Jesse Nolan from Colorado and her wild mustang, Curly
Girl, rounded up in Wyoming, discover what it means to rely on oneself,
as well as those who love you most.
Meet the Authors:
Ginny McDonald is an award-winning, professional Colorado
illustrator and a longtime advocate for wild horses. She is the adopter
of an American Curly mare, and more recently, a second mustang named
"Lil Bit". Ginny's skill in the use of Prismacolor pencils brings this
story to life with rich detail and heartfelt emotion.
Denver native Corinne Joy Brown is a multi-published,
award-winning Colorado author, magazine editor and freelance writer
focused on the West ." Recent publications include "Young Rider",
"Cowboys & Indians," and "Working Ranch." She's also been a horse
owner most of her life. Corinne is committed to teaching the next
generation about the power of horses to teach and heal. "Finding Home"
is her eighth book.
Connect with the author: Website ~ Facebook
Author Interview with Joy Brown & Ginny McDonald
Q What was the hardest character to write in this book? The easiest?
A: The hardest character to write was Jesse's father, a man who loves his daughter so very much and yet, doesn't know how to reach her. Coping with a mid-life crisis, a career change and trying to find himself, he leaves wife and daughter to sort it all out. I had to think long and hard about how to create this character so he still appears loving and reliable. The easiest character? Why, Jesse of course. I was 13 once. And I have adored and ridden horses since I was a kid. Jesse came to life immediately.
Q: In the book you make a reference to "Wild Horse Annie". How did you come up with this idea?
A: I had known about this amazing woman, a champion of wild horses, for years but it took Ginny, my co-writer and illustrator, to remind me of just how important she was to the survival of our wild herds in general. A mere citizen, she was one who pushed for legislation to protect them from mustangers (men who killed wild horses for profit) and other hunters. It seemed important to tell the modern history of what has transpired in the last 50 years. Children need to know.
Q: If you could cast yourself as a character in the book, who would you be?
A: I'd like to be Curly Girl, as difficult as that seems, being born wild and learning how to adapt to a new life and a new friend. I can only imagine what learning to trust another foreign species feels like. Horses are loyal and faithful to handlers they feel comfortable with. I would like to experience Curly Girl's feelings, learning she could live out her life with someone who cares for her .
Q: The book is set in the Front Range of Colorado and Southern Wyoming. Have you ever been there?
A: Yes, I've been through both areas. Colorado's front range communities are set, in part, amidst richly forested foothills . The town of Evergreen is idyllic, in the nearby mountains, close to Denver. It seemed a perfect setting for this story. Besides, Curly Girl actually started her life in Colorado there. I've been to Wyoming too. Harsher land. We tried our best to keep it real.
Q: What is the last great book I've read?
A: I'm in a book club I started over 25 years ago. We read a major work of literature every month for 10 months each year by writers from all over the world. This past spring we read "Bless Me Ultima" by Rudolfo Anaya who recently passed away. I loved it. More recently, I read "A Gentleman in Moscow" by Amor Towles. Incredible. I learned a lot about Russian history.
Q: What advice would I give to a budding writer?
A: Follow the heat. Write about whatever you feel passionate about. Don't worry about syntax and structure. Get that first draft out and clean up later. Once you find your starting point, nothing should stop you.
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