Red River Stallion

December 17, 2012
Harrison’s tale of a 14-year-old Native American girl’s search for her father on the North American frontier after her mother dies is beautifully written, at times reminiscent of Scott O’Dell. Orphans Amelia Otterchild Mackenzie and her younger half-sister, Charlotte, have barely survived a recent famine that plagued their Cree tribe, which lives near the Hudson Bay. When Amelia connects with Foxfire—a magnificent red stallion traveling with his English owner, Orchid Spencer, to the Red River Valley—Amelia knows it is her destiny to join them on this trip and find her father. The journey and the overall story are slow, with great detail given to the time period, the land, and the horses; Amelia’s (and Harrison’s) affection for the animals is evident on every page. As a heroine, Amelia is determined, loyal, proud, and protective. For readers who enjoy being transported back in time and appreciate the careful way that Harrison (The Horse Road) lays out each scene (as well as those who are as fond of horses as Harrison is) Amelia’s journey will be a delight. Ages 8–12.

Starred review from January 1, 2013
Amelia Otterchild Mackenzie, a Cree-Scottish half-blood, orphaned twice, struggles to find places for herself and her young sister Charlotte among the Hudson's Bay fur-trading community. Her birth father abandoned her and her mother when she was an infant, traveling west to the Red River and never returning. She has friends among the white men of the fort, but no place to live; the Cree, who welcome her, are starving. When a mysterious creature swims toward her in a fogbound river, Amelia recognizes it as her pawakan, her spirit-animal, and hopes it will lead her to her true life. The creature is a stallion whose white mistress--the first white woman Amelia has ever seen--is bound for none other than the Red River. Amelia's fascination with the horse leads it to trust her enough to follow her up a swaying gangplank onto a small riverboat; she, Charlotte and the white woman, Orchid, embark on a 600-mile journey west. Harrison sensitively depicts Amelia's feelings of both belonging and abandonment as she stands with her feet in two worlds. The Cree and the white settlers are portrayed accurately and sympathetically, but without sentiment; complicated situations unfold without simple answers. Amelia never believes that the stallion Foxfire belongs to her, only feeling in her heart that they are linked. (A map will be posted on the author's website.) The emotionally satisfying ending underscores the relationship beautifully. (Historical fiction. 10-14)

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March 1, 2013

Gr 5-8-When 14-year-old Amelia Otterchild Mackenzie is orphaned, she and her younger half sister, Charlotte, are taken in by her mother's ailing tribe, the Swampy Cree of the Hudson Bay area. Her Scottish father left the family for the Red River Valley years earlier but never returned. When a beautiful and mysterious horse washes ashore, saving Amelia's life, she recognizes him as her pawakan, or spirit guide. The horse, a red Norfolk stallion named Foxfire, belongs to Orchid, a proper young British woman who is taking the horse as dowry to her new husband in the Red River Valley. Believing this to be an omen, Amelia is determined to accompany the horse and search for her father. Despite strong cultural differences, Amelia and Orchid learn from each other and form a common bond in caring for Foxfire during the long, harsh journey. Amelia is strong and likable, her native knowledge and perspective interesting and fresh. Historical detail is plentiful almost to the point of slowing down the story at times, but the language is beautiful and accomplished, making this novel of discovery and survival an enjoyable and authentic read. With plenty of equestrian-infused drama and a satisfying conclusion, it won't disappoint strong readers of historical fiction and horse lovers.-Madeline J. Bryant, Los Angeles Public Library

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2013
Grades 4-7 Following her mother's death, 14-year-old Amelia Ottergirl Mackenzie and her younger half sister, Charlotte, both half Cree, went to live with her mother's tribe, near Hudson Bay. After Amelia encounters Foxfire, a horse recently brought from England, and develops a unique spiritual and mystical connection with him, her life changes. She also learns information about her father, who left when Amelia was a baby. Determined to find him, Amelia and Charlotte head to Red River Valley with other travelers and with Foxfire, a trip that proves both challenging and rewarding. As with Harrison's The Horse Road (2012), this stand-alone Historical Horses title, set in 1800s Canada, brings the settings and diverse characters to life through an engaging protagonist and vividly descriptive prose. Amelia's first-person narrative is eloquent and intimate, interweaving Native American culture, customs, beliefs, and language with details about settler life and horses. Issues, from facing prejudice to making sense of friendship and family, are all sympathetically explored. An absorbing read that will appeal to horse lovers and historical-fiction fans alike.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)