Cali & Wildfire: A Story of Love

by William Neal, Olena Kharkovenko (Illustrator)

CALI ECHO-HAWK is a spunky 7-year-old Lakota girl who falls hard for a star racehorse named WILDFIRE. But when he stops winning, his greedy owners decide to sell him to the notorious “Meat Man.” Can Cali save this magnificent thoroughbred from an unimaginable fate?

It’s a one in a million longshot...and time is running out.

A heart-warming story with vibrant illustrations and an uplifting message for children about friendship, empathy, love, and never, ever giving up.

34 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 8, 2023

About the author

WILLIAM NEAL is the author of eight books, the writer-producer-director of the feature documentary "Long Gone Wild," about the ongoing plight of captive orcas; and an Executive Producer on the feature documentary "Dying To Race," about the many ills of thoroughbred horse racing - a film funded by Warner Bros.

Neal is a former college and professional hockey coach, ESPN color analyst, and television writer-producer with credits on some 400 hours of primetime programming. He has won numerous awards for his work.

An avid skier and hiker, he holds a PhD degree and lives in Park City, UT with his two rescue cats, Mia and Jaker.

Reviews

[NBPB Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cali, a member of the Lakota Indian Tribe, has a passion for horseback riding. She frequently rides on her beloved horse, Annabelle. Her mother is not only a tribal leader but also an animal activist. One day, Cali's mother took her to a race where they saw a racehorse named Wildfire. Upon seeing him, Cali's mother explains that Wildfire is in grave danger and desperately needs their help. The fate of Wildfire is in the hands of his greedy owner, and his future is uncertain. Can Cali and her mother save Wildfire from his perilous situation?

We picked this book for its blurb. The book delivers a crucial message on animal cruelty, highlighting the devastating effects of animal races. The author reveals that approximately 2,000 horses perish on or near race tracks yearly, with an additional 10,000 being sent to slaughter. By shedding light on these gruesome statistics, the book aims to influence the younger generation's perceptions of animal races. The stunning illustrations complement the narrative, creating a compelling and informative reading experience.

Cali & Wildfire by William Neal, with illustrations by Olena Kharkovenko, tells the story of a young girl and her mother who work to rescue an older racehorse. The book provides an engaging and accessible account of their challenges and motivations.
For full review and ratings, visit NBPB Reviews