Book Description

Finding HomeYoung Jesse Nolan dreams of owning a wild American mustang; a horse that's a challenge, not easy to train. Meanwhile,she volunteers at a stable just to be around horses and be accepted by other horse-crazy kids. Life at home isn't what it used to be since Mom and Dad have separated and Dad moved out. Jesse blames her father. She avoids him, while envying classmates with happy families. Over two summers, Jesse spends her summer vacations as an intern with her uncle Joe in Wyoming who works for the BLM. At a special auction of wild horses, Mom and Dad finally give Joe permission to bid, hoping the gift might help Jesse cope. A young Curly is purchased, then promptly stolen by horse traders! After a harrowing chase to get her back, Curly heads off to Joe's ranch for training. Uncle Joe gentles the horse, an animal that's been traumatized due to a frightening helicopter roundup and capture. During its training at Joe's ranch, we learn all about its remarkable youth in the wild, a story told to the resident burro, confirming Curly's qualifications for leading a wild horse herd someday. Once in Colorado, Curly Girl wants only to be back in Wyoming. She escapes the barn Jesse has chosen for her, causing damage. She ends up at Travis Nolan's cabin and corral in the Rockies, a last resort. Still lonely and frightened, Curly is desperate to return to the life she left behind.While Jesse seeks to tame her horse with the help of her best friend, Emily, she also rebuilds her relationship with her father. She learns to love and accept unconditionally, and Curly Girl learns to adapt. Both girl and horse deal with loneliness, belonging, and building self-confidence. After running away one final time, both a frightening and defining adventure, Curly learns a hard lesson -you can never go back to what was. Meanwhile, an entire family is reunited in the search, reaffirming their love for each other, as well as that of a wild horse, never to be lost again.