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Moon Shadow
In the rough-and-tumble Nevada landscape, where every day brings a new threat to the wild mustangs’ natural way of life, can Callie save her dream horse when disaster strikes?Plucky thirteen-year-old Callie McLean loves nothing more than to watch the herd of wild mustangs frolic near her farm in the rocky desert of Northern Nevada. School’s out for the summer, which means three months of hanging out with horses and her best friend, Billie—and three months of freedom from classmates teasing her about her hippie clothes, two-dollar words, and organic-farmer parents. Callie gets to study with their equine veterinarian all summer too.When Callie learns her favorite wild palomino mare, Moonbeam, is in foal, she’s ecstatic. And Cloud Dancer, the golden buckskin stallion, is going to be a father. Callie can’t imagine a more beautiful pairing. But her summer idyll is broken when the Bureau of Land Management rounds up the mustangs for penning and adoption. Callie is heartbroken that the majestic horses will no longer live in the wild. Maybe she can adopt Moonbeam herself. But when the trauma of the round-up leaves Moonbeam and her new foal, Moon Shadow, in trouble, it seems Callie might lose her dream horse and the new foal forever.
155 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 30, 2006
3 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
Chris Platt
31 books16 followersChris Platt is an award-winning author of more than a dozen books for young readers, including the popular horse novels Moon Shadow; Willow King and its sequel, Race the Wind; and many titles in the Thoroughbred juvenile fiction series.
She has a degree in journalism from the University of Nevada, Reno, and specializes in writing about horses. During her youth she worked as a jockey in Oregon (she was one of the first female jockeys in the state), and has been a life-long horse owner. Platt lives in Washoe Valley, Nevada.
She has a degree in journalism from the University of Nevada, Reno, and specializes in writing about horses. During her youth she worked as a jockey in Oregon (she was one of the first female jockeys in the state), and has been a life-long horse owner. Platt lives in Washoe Valley, Nevada.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 7, 2025
This is a decent enough girl-and-a-horse story, although it was incredibly predictable at times. It did have some unusual details for a modern Western kid's horse story, such as Our Protagonist's family horse ... is a Percheron. The ranch in north Nevada isn't livestock based, but is an organic vegetable farm. Because northern Nevada is known for being so incredibly fertile.
The author does, or did, live in Nevada, so I'm going to assume that such organic farms exist. The author has also worked with draft horses, as well as other breeds, so I guess that's why she couldn't resist sticking the Percheron mare in here.
The book's first half moves faster than the second half. There are two villians in the story. The first, and better villian, is gone by the second half, with the second villian just being the usual spoiled rich kid found in books of this genre.
One nicely realistic bit this book has is that shows the BLM being shits to Mustangs. It turned out to be a HUGE mistake to have the federal government be in charge of all wild horses, since all they know how to do is warehouse and kill horses. They've almost always turned blind eyes to horsemeat buyers. Trump's Project 2025 plans on eliminating all Mustangs not privately owned. So, soon all we'll have to remember Mustangs by is through books like this.
There were some unrealistic details that brought this book down. Our Protagonist is lucky enough to have a lot of friends. Honestly, kids -- this does not happen in the real world. Another detail was a vet letting Our Protagonist work with her. This also does not happen in real life. I've seen this trope in many other kid's horse books -- such as the Saddle Club series -- and, writers, you've got to knock this shit off.
There was also a major fact gotten wrong in this book. It said that large animal veterinarians make good money. No, they don't. They graduate with an average of $100,000 in student loans and often go bankrupt. This is why nearly all vet practices in America have been bought by venture capitalists -- and why you can no longer afford your local vet bills.
The author does, or did, live in Nevada, so I'm going to assume that such organic farms exist. The author has also worked with draft horses, as well as other breeds, so I guess that's why she couldn't resist sticking the Percheron mare in here.
The book's first half moves faster than the second half. There are two villians in the story. The first, and better villian, is gone by the second half, with the second villian just being the usual spoiled rich kid found in books of this genre.
One nicely realistic bit this book has is that shows the BLM being shits to Mustangs. It turned out to be a HUGE mistake to have the federal government be in charge of all wild horses, since all they know how to do is warehouse and kill horses. They've almost always turned blind eyes to horsemeat buyers. Trump's Project 2025 plans on eliminating all Mustangs not privately owned. So, soon all we'll have to remember Mustangs by is through books like this.
There were some unrealistic details that brought this book down. Our Protagonist is lucky enough to have a lot of friends. Honestly, kids -- this does not happen in the real world. Another detail was a vet letting Our Protagonist work with her. This also does not happen in real life. I've seen this trope in many other kid's horse books -- such as the Saddle Club series -- and, writers, you've got to knock this shit off.
There was also a major fact gotten wrong in this book. It said that large animal veterinarians make good money. No, they don't. They graduate with an average of $100,000 in student loans and often go bankrupt. This is why nearly all vet practices in America have been bought by venture capitalists -- and why you can no longer afford your local vet bills.
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August 19, 2023Sweet story
August 3, 2018
I liked this book especially for readers today. I felt the story was real, and not over the top dramatic with an over the top story line. The book was good and interesting with a simple, "This is lifw and this is how you work with life," plot line. I liked it.
September 23, 2019
I enjoyed the book immensely. The main character was very passionate about the Mustangs near her home. Responsiblity and friendship were constant throughout the book. I will definately recommend this to all my horse lovers in the library.
September 18, 2021
It’s a good story and seems to be well written. I personally am just having trouble wanting to continue after chapter 5. I’ve had it from the library for a month now trying to read it, but picking it up is more pushing myself then enjoying.
January 17, 2025
I think this is the one I read in 4th grade
Unfortunately this inspired my email..
Unfortunately this inspired my email..
May 11, 2008
Reviewed by Carrie Spellman for TeensReadToo.com
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.
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.
December 31, 2014
Moon Shadow is a middle grade novel for girls who are horse crazy. It reads quickly. The story moves along easily with enough action to keep the reader involved.
Callie lives in Nevada. Her parents are former hippies and organic farmers. Their horse is a big draft animal used for plowing when the old tractor breaks down. Callie loves to watch a herd of mustangs living nearby and dream of owning one.
When the herd is rounded up, Callie's chance to own one appears. She must solve several obstacle problems and deal with some difficult people. Even her chosen mustang has problems and challenges.
It is definitely a middle grade novel lacking the edginess of young adult. Callie does deal with some personal ideas of self worth, disappointment with how she lives and recognizing that other people do value her in spite of everything. Some of the characters are a bit too nice or too stereotyped. But none of this is enough to spoil the book.
For those at this age or those who like to indulge in a little nostalgia of their own horse crazy days, this is an excellent book to relax with.
Callie lives in Nevada. Her parents are former hippies and organic farmers. Their horse is a big draft animal used for plowing when the old tractor breaks down. Callie loves to watch a herd of mustangs living nearby and dream of owning one.
When the herd is rounded up, Callie's chance to own one appears. She must solve several obstacle problems and deal with some difficult people. Even her chosen mustang has problems and challenges.
It is definitely a middle grade novel lacking the edginess of young adult. Callie does deal with some personal ideas of self worth, disappointment with how she lives and recognizing that other people do value her in spite of everything. Some of the characters are a bit too nice or too stereotyped. But none of this is enough to spoil the book.
For those at this age or those who like to indulge in a little nostalgia of their own horse crazy days, this is an excellent book to relax with.
January 15, 2014
Callie is a young girl who's very easy to connect with. She wants her own pony, and watches wild herds of mustangs and even has a favorite. She has dreams to own her favorite, and when her favorite one has a foal, she jumps for joy. Especially since she's volunteering vet hours at a roundup, and they roundup her favorite horse, and she gets to help it give birth. Will the mother live, and will she get to keep them both? Read Chris Platt's amazing story to find out.
January 10, 2014
A great book with some sad parts. But it is a really great book.
January 16, 2014
This book is about a girls love for horses. The book was slow a first but in the end I could NOT put it down. If you share the love for horses you will enjoy this book very much.
March 21, 2014
Author portrays hard-working and polite teen.
March 7, 2018
I love it and always had. I really want a sequel because we get to find out how Callie handles school with rasing Moon Shadow, plus we might get to learn more about Justin and the others.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews