Moon Shadow
by Chris Platt

    MOON SHADOW by Chris Platt
    Category:  Contemporary
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 6+
    Release Date:  10/30/06
    Publisher:  Peachtree
    Reviewed by:  Carrie Spellman
    Rating:  4 Stars


    All Callie has ever really wanted was a mustang of her own.  Callie lives a somewhat hippy existence with her parents
    in the Nevada desert, in an area where most families have ranches and are relatively well-off, and where wild
    mustangs roam free.  Callie has been watching one particular wild mustang for quite some time -- she calls her
    Moonbeam.

    One day, while out riding the family horse, Callie comes upon the herd of wild horses that Moonbeam travels with.  
    She notices that Moonbeam is pregnant.  Callie's excitement over the impending foal is catching, and her best friend
    wants to go see the horse.   They come upon the herd of horses at the same time as some helicopters that are
    rounding them up.  The Bureau of Land Management rounds up wild mustangs every so often and offers them for
    adoption.  Callie is terrified for Moonbeam.  A roundup can be very hard on a strong, healthy horse, and Moonbeam
    is VERY pregnant.  This could be bad news for the horse and her foal.

    Callie has been saving up her money, hoping to be able to pay the fee and adopt a horse.  She doesn't quite have
    enough yet, but she can't let Moonbeam go to someone else.  Especially now that the horse, and foal, might be in
    trouble.

    I used to be a huge fan of horse books, like the MISTY OF CHINCOTEAGUE set, BLACK BEAUTY,
    NATIONAL VELVET, and other similar books.  This book fits very nicely into that grouping.  Callie is a good
    heroine, who has the best of intentions -- though sometimes not the best methods.  Which actually makes her more
    real, and I like that a lot.  She also works very hard to get what she wants, which sets a great example.

    This is a sweet book that I'm glad I had the opportunity to read.