I Rode a Horse of Milk White Jade

by Diane Lee Wilson

Born on the Mongolian steppes during the reign of Kublai Khan, Oyuna's future seems decided when, as an infant, her foot is crushed by a horse. Her clan believes she has been cursed by bad luck, and she is confined to her family's tent to cook and sew. But Oyuna dreams of bringing honor and good luck to her family. Disguised as a boy and with only her beloved old mare and heroic cat for company, she sets off on a journey—a journey that will change her luck forever.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Fiction, Historical, Middle Grade, Horses, Childrens

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Diane Lee Wilson has always ridden horses and has an extensive collection of horse books in her home in Escondido, California. She is the author of Black Storm Comin', a Booklist Editors' Choice, a VOYA Top Shelf Fiction Pick, and a Book Links Lasting Connection, and Firehorse, which received a starred review in Booklist, is a Booklist Top Ten Mystery/Suspense for Youth, and a winner of the ALA Amelia Bloomer Project.

Reviews

[Margo Berendsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep, happy sigh.

This was like a historical version of The Blue Sword and Hero and the Crown, fantasy stories by Robin McKinley.

Wonderful proof that the real world can be just as compelling as any fantasy world.

The setting is in the 1200's in Mongolia and China ruled by Kublai Khan, with one brief reference to Marco Polo that made me smile.

The setting is vivid and harsh and beautiful. The combination of great setting, harrowing quest against impossible odds, and several memorable characters make this book so rich.

Oyuna and her horse Bayan reminded me so much of Aerin and Talat from the Hero and the Crown, but they were so unique, too.

Oyuna isn't royal like Aerin was, but she is considered unlucky, because her foot was crushed when she a toddler by a horse stepping on it. All her life she feels like bad luck has cursed her and her family. Her grandmother's message gives her hope - you take your own luck out of life. What happened to Oyuna means she was "chosen by the horse." Since she is lame for life, horses become her freedom - her crushed foot is no disadvantage to her on a horse's back!

Like Talat, Bayan is an older, injured horse that has been dismissed as useless. Oyuna almost overlooks her as well, as she is searching for a young fast horse that can win races. But Bayan does something (spoiler) that Oyuna simply can't ignore, and they become inseparable.

Inseparable - the things Oyuna does to stay with her horse! Even disguising herself as a boy to join the Khan's army.

There is only one time she finally leaves Bayan of her own free will, and that is what elevates this story into greatness.

Balat, the indomitable little cat, reminded me of Narknon from the Blue Sword, except he is as small and scrappy as she was fierce and elegant.

The three of them make a team you just can't resist. And her grandmother, Echenkorlo! Everything you imagine a medieval Mongolian shamaness might be, and more. Her second appearance in the story is so scary-surprising-well-fitting, gave me chills.

Kublai Khan is a strong character, too. My only complaint is that the ending felt too rushed: I wanted more of Khan, and I definitely wanted more of Adja!

Oyusa's voice is so strong, I just loved her "horsey" expressions:

From the second chapter:

I was still but a child then, sitting lopsided by the fire, clutching the wooden spoon in my small hand, yet I remember the feeling, no I remember knowing, even then - that I was misplaced. You belong with the horses, my mind whispered. My eager heart could only whicker a soft response.

...Day after day I pushed that stick through the foamy mare's milk, waiting for it to ferment into the drink so enjoyed by my father and his brothers. The most stifling of tasks, until I discovered that the sloshing echo could be coaxed into hoofbeats: Thud. Sl-slosh. Thud. Sl-slosh. The cadence reawakened my heart, sent it bucking.

..."Carry me in the saddle with you," I cried. Always his stubby fingers tousled my black hair. "No, Oyuna," he would answer, shaking his head. "You are our only child - too precious to let bad luck find you again. Better you stay inside. You are not made to ride." He tried to fasten his words on me like hobbles.

This is my favorite quote:

My mother used to say, "When happiness settles upon you like a butterfly, sit very quiet and remember the colors."

[Libby Powell · Rating 3 out of 5]

The prose in this book is lovely - tangible yet poetic, almost musical in its descriptions and phrasing. I Rode a Horse of Milk White Jade is a fascinating and gritty story, exquisitely told. And if it looked to me like a middle grade novel on the outside, I found it to be less so on the inside.

For all its beauty, I found more rough patches than I anticipated. The author wove a great deal of mythology and Shamanism into the narrative. In general, I tolerate and even appreciate it when authors include cultural and religious aspects into a book they write - it adds layers and sets context often necessary to the reader's understanding of the story and characters. Yet, in this historical novel, its fingerprints are present quite often in the storyline, as though portrayed as the true and right and good. And I could not reconcile what I saw in the book with what really is true and right and good. Ultimately, the immersion into the spiritual aspect of the culture disturbed me more than it enhanced my experience.

Additionally, I struggled with some scenes that dealt with harshness of humanity, which jarred my senses and left me feeling like I'd drunk a shot of sour milk. There was nothing wrong with them, per se - they fit the context and weren't necessarily inappropriate. Yet, they were like blots in the landscape of the novel that I wish I didn't have to remember when I think of the book. I can't put my finger on precisely why this would be the case... so, take this with a grain of salt. Maybe this book is just not my cup of tea :)

I Rode of Horse of Milk White Jade is full of raw, living moments caught in breathtaking prose. It's a beautifully told story. But the story itself is cumbered with more disturbing aspects of the religion and culture than I care for, in the end offsetting the beauty and flow that - I feel - could have made it into gorgeous adventure.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book with my 6th grader as part of her homeschool curriculum. She REALLY liked it, especially once it got going. I always love it when she can't wait to hear how it ends and finishes it on her own. Of course I still have to read it later myself (and I did)! Good story about a girl who grows up feeling like she brings bad luck, loves her horse and meets the Kublai Khan and helps him.

[The Shayne-Train · Rating 4 out of 5]

A touching story about horses, history, and making your own way.

Plus, now my little one knows who Kublai Khan is. Extra history bonus points!

[Candice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this middle grade novel. The heroine is brave in the face of severe challenges. It takes place in Mongolia hundreds of years ago during the legendary reign of Kublai Khan, and we see the sweep of his empire from her horse’s back. Since we are far removed from that culture, my kids couldn’t guess what was going to happen, and they were regularly surprised.

There is a touch of magic and mystery that remind me of my childhood experiences in nature. Overall, there is a wholeness, a coming home, and a circling of themes portrayed with greater clarity each time we encounter them. Lovely.

[Meaghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25

[Mary]

From School Library Journal
Grade 6-10AIn 14th-century China, an elderly woman tells her granddaughter about her early life on the Mongol steppes, beginning with the day a horse crushed her tiny foot, crippling the young Oyuna. According to her nomadic clan's religious beliefs, this incident brought bad luck to her and her family. Thereafter, she views any misfortune visited upon her family as her fault, even her mother's accidental death. Her one joy is her new white horse. When the mare is commandeered by Kublai Khan's forces, Oyuna dresses as a boy in order to remain with her beloved companion. When the soldiers discover her secret, they are anxious to get rid of her and quickly send her off alone to complete a mission for an injured arrow rider for the Khan. After an arduous trek, she reaches the Khan's palace where she is instrumental in halting a plague that is killing off the ruler's herd of white horses and meets the man whom she will marry. In the words of her own shamaness grandmother, she has learned to make her own luck. This unique coming-of-age story is steeped in the rituals and superstitions of the period and punctuated with graphic images of the harsh terrain and living conditions on the barren steppes, the treacherous mountains, and the gobi. The character of Oyuna, though a sympathetic one, seems drawn with a kind of detachment that makes it difficult to identify closely with her. Nevertheless, her story is an exciting one that will reward diligent, proficient readers.APeggy Morgan, The Library Network, Southgate, MI

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was one of the best ever !I haven't finished it but from what I have read I think this book is great. a good plot and a great adventure for those who love both people and horses I think it's also great for young readers .go and read it!

[Challice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mulan meets Black Beauty.
This is a beautiful tale that captured me on the first page. It contains much about the chinese belief in luck, superstition, and shaman beliefs.
Glad I read it and gave it to my daughter to enjoy.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Rode a Horse of Milk White Jade by Diane Lee Wilson was selected as a Best Book for Young Adults in 1999 by the American Library Association. I didn’t know any of that when I read the book back in 2000. My copy has since disappeared, but at the time, this was a rare book that I owned. Thinking about it now, my mom must have procured my copy during her tenure as a researcher at Harper Collins.

But enough about me, this is about the book after all.

A quick and dirty way to define this book, oddly enough, is in terms of a cartoon movie. The plot here is similar to the legend of Mulan, which I know from the Disney version released in 1998 (I can’t believe it’s been a decade, good grief). Although her motivations are different, our heroine does follow a group of soldiers while disguised as a boy. The difference? Mulan went to war to fight the Huns. The main character of I Rode a Horse of Milk White Jade is a Hun.

At the best of times, living on the Mongol Steppes involves harsh conditions. For Oyuna that is even more true. As a young child, almost beyond the range of her memory, a beautiful horse came near Oyuna. Fascinated, the child knew that her future–her entire life–would be tied to horses. She knew this to be true even as a horse stepped on her foot, effectively crippling her for life. Add into the bargain the fact that every member of Oyuna’s family are now anxious to keep her away from horses for fear of another unlucky incident that will further burden the family with bad luck.

Every family member except her grandmother that is, who (as the back cover convenienty points out) tells Oyuna “The horse claimed you as its own and invited you upon its back to travel with the wind.” Oyuna believes in her grandmother’s words even more when she crosses paths with a swift, white horse.

Positive that their fates are cobbled together, Oyuna dresses as a boy and follows her horse when it is commandeered by the Khan’s army. Oyuna’s path leads her not only to her horse, but also directly to the court of Kublai Khan, and–even more valuable–the knowledge that she has the power to change her own luck once and for all.

If my mom hadn’t given me a copy of this book, I never would have picked it up. But I’m glad the book came into my possession. Oyuna is an arresting character, with a strong narrative voice that makes this work of historical fiction feel very contemporary and relevant. Not an actual princess, Oyuna can’t strictly be called an “anti-princess” heroine. All the same, I Rode a Horse of Milk White Jade presents a strong girl making her own way (in a great story).

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love teen fiction because it's great writing in a quick-read format. I really connected to the character, not because I am at all similar, but because it was so well able I was able to be her as I read it. I liked her spunk and her determination, even when she was almost paralyzed with fear she stood up for herself.

[OCEAN COHLER]

I think it was an ok book, I didn't like how Bayan died but the child horse came in Bayans place. So it made up for it.

[Jenelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful story.

Second time through, I think I appreciated this book more than the first time.

[J.L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This was a read-aloud for my 4th and 6th grade boys. A story about a young girl, Oyuna, from the Mongolian Steppe and her beloved horse Bayan, full of danger, suffering, and struggle. My 10 year old especially liked it, and was very emotional toward the end of the book, hence the extra half star: when it comes to school read-alouds I incorporate the level of engagement the kids had with the story alongside my own feelings, and they were pretty invested in this one!

I enjoyed it too, but there were some aspects of the story that were hazy, distanced, or disconnected. The shamanistic parts were somewhat dark and taken quite seriously within the narrative, which I think was meant to simultaneously lend realism AND mysticism to the story, but it led to some aspects of the narrative feeling convoluted or contrived.

I know very little about 1200s Mongolia so learning little bits and pieces through this narrative was certainly fascinating, and I especially liked the way the author used distinct language to enhance the theme and environment...all the metaphors felt viscerally derived from the Steppe region and the Steppe horses and Oyuna's personal experiences and cultural norms. That aspect was excellent.

On the other hand, I didn't connect emotionally to the narrative except right at the end. I felt rather distanced the whole time, just watching event after harsh event unfold. And Oyuna's behavior was sometimes very inconsistent, sometimes quiet and shy, other times bold and reckless.

Still, definitely worth a read, and the kids liked it enough that they told me that if they ever find the special white stallion in Zelda Breath of the Wild (?) they will name it Bayan. They only get to play that on weekends, so it may take a while.

[Amy Hagberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read I Rode a Horse of Milk White Jade with my 10-year-old granddaughter as a buddy read. While I appreciated the historical depth, my granddaughter’s feedback strongly shaped my rating—3 stars. As she put it, “It’s hard to compete with Harry Potter!”

The story begins with Oyuna, a girl born on the Mongolian steppes during the reign of Kublai Khan, cursed with bad luck after a horse crushes her foot. Determined to prove her worth, she disguises herself as a boy and embarks on an incredible journey with her old mare. Along the way, Oyuna faces trials that lead her to the Khan’s palace, where she plays a key role in saving the ruler’s herd of white horses.

While the premise is fascinating, the pacing left us both restless at times. The last third of the book picks up dramatically, delivering excitement and tying Oyuna’s journey together with satisfying resolve. However, the narrative often felt detached, making it hard to emotionally connect with Oyuna despite her bravery and resilience.

What I did love was the richly detailed portrayal of life in 14th-century Mongolia. The author’s research shines, offering a glimpse into the rituals, beliefs, and landscapes of the era. It’s a rewarding read for those interested in historical fiction, though the slow pacing may test younger readers’ patience.

In the end, Oyuna’s story of courage and self-discovery is inspiring but fell short of captivating us entirely. A solid 3-star read.

[Laurel Decher · Rating 4 out of 5]

The poetic title of this book runs smoothly off the tongue but I almost think its beauty kept me from reading this book sooner. As soon as I started reading, the book pulled me right in!. The unfamiliar world of Mongolia felt very real and immediate and I couldn't put it down. The young girl Oyuna, her scrappy little cat Bator (meaning "hero"), and her mysterious magical white horse had me rooting for them the whole way across the continent!

It also has the thrilling feeling of the best Native American biographies I read in elementary school: For me they were about what it feels like to try out courage against overwhelming odds.

SPOILER: If you have sensitive readers, there are two scenes involving the grandmother's burial cave that are quite intense. They are carefully written and there's no violence, but they may provoke lots of questions.

[Esther Tubbs · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one wasn't very impressive to me. It seemed like a first writing of a novice writer. Near the end it got better, though.

I did like the way the story line alternates from the grandmother telling the story to her granddaughter while they wait for the mare to foal and the actual story its self. Ms. Wilson seemed to tie those in quite well.

The story built feeling as it un-winds from almost void from feeling, to a pretty powerful bring-you-to-tears feeling for the story and the characters themselves.

After actualy completing the book, I'm a bit torn as to the fact if I will want to read it again or not. To tell the truth, I found this one pretty hard to rate. I still have a few mixed feelings about it. ;)

[Andrea M · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked how the main character chose not to believe that bad luck was always her fault or related to her disability. The mentor in the book had one day to convey her message and she told the main character to "make her own luck." I didn't like that the mentor was described as being topless. I did like how the main character dealt with death and was able to move forward without getting stuck. The book has a little "magic" in that the mentor is a shamaness and uses a sheep's pelvic bone to foretell the future. The story is framed by the main character as a grandmother giving her story to her grandchild while they observe the birth of a foal. This aspect makes the wisdom that the main character received through life's experiences valuable to the next generation.

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book kinda seemed to drag on and on, and the mysticism and weirdness wasn't really my favorite, but it is a realistic picture into the worldview of that culture, as far as I know of Mongolia, where I did actually spend 2 months back in college. Again, I don't know what the deal is with horse books, our whole family was discussing: nobody writes "cow books" or "sheep books" or "duck books" or whatever, where the anthropomorphized farm animal is so heroic and smart and lovable and whatever... except for outliers like Charlotte's Web and the occasional dog book. Only horses get this treatment, for some bizarre reason. None of us are horse people, so it just gets annoying. But maybe horse people love it.

[Layla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was my FAVORITE BOOK EVER! I loved it. It is about a girl named Oyuna who brought bad luck to her family when she was a toddler by getting her foot stepped on by a horse. After this, she was stuck inside so she would not get hurt. One day her mother got struck by lightning and died. A few years later a war came and Oyuna dressed as a man and delivered messages to soldiers. She met the great Kublai Khan herself. She and Kublai Khan became fast friends. Kublai Khan had a million white horses that kept getting sick and the girl's horse died from the disease. Oyuna grew up to be an old woman and told her stories to her granddaughter. This was my favorite book, don't skip it!

[Jocelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's an amazing book. To be honest, in the beginning, I was getting tired of it because none of the action had really happened yet, but I am SO glad I finished it. It was worth it. One of the best books I have ever read, and I think that anyone who likes stories about animals, horses, realistic fiction, nature, or historical fiction will love this book. I don't know if it is really considered as a historical fiction book, but it does have some things in it that suggests that it was taking place during the time when the Khan ruled?? Not sure, but anyway, I recommend this book to everyone who likes those genres I mentioned a couple of sentences ago.

[Brandon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had to read this book for school. The New York Times said, "[This] first novel makes the Disney movie Mulan look sluggish." I think they forgot that Mulan was much better than this book. I would like to give my comments on some of the things said on the "What readers are saying" page. "I wish I could go on an adventure like this with my horse!" Clearly, this person didn't read the part where a woman tried to force the main character to marry her daughter or the part where her mother dies. "This is one of the best books I have ever read." This person has no taste in literature. Overall, I believe that this book was targeted at an audience that did not include me.

[Charyse · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed in this book. My daughter and I have read lots of books for her schoolwork and this is the first disappointing one. To be fair, the storyline is good. But oh it took sooo long to get from one plot point to the next, especially in the first half. About midway I was hopeful we’d left that part behind but there were so many places where it really drug on. Could’ve been 50-100 pages shorter and a really good story. I’m not afraid of long books by any means but this was exhausting for a YA novel.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. There were a couple of sections that were iffy as it was getting started, but then the story really picked up and I didn’t want to put it down. I appreciated the story being told by Oyuna, and her persistence through everything that she did. She didn’t stop just because she was a girl, but kept pushing toward her goal, even when she wasn’t sure how exactly it would all work out.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely book about a Mongolian girl set during the time of Kublai Khan and Marco Polo. Besides having rich historical details, it also tells a story of a courageous, handicapped girl who makes her way in a brutal time and place. With very real insecurities and doubt, see nevertheless pushes forward when she knows what she must do. A great story of resilience and hardship that helps create empathetic hearts when we have such comparably easy lives.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me awhile to get through this, but I still really enjoyed it. This was such a unique story about a young crippled girl who overcomes so much to become this amazing woman. I loved the back and forth between the grandmother and young girl, it was very grandfather and grandson from The Princess Bride. If you mashed up The Princess Bride, Hidalgo, and Mulan together, you would get something similar to this story.

[Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is what an adventure book should be like every time.

You have a character that has to face obstacle after obstacle while learning more and more about themselves. You have characters that are there to help the character (Bator is the best!) as they make their way through obstacles. You have enough twists and turns that a reader can't really predict what might happen next.

And...above all...you have a great story to read!

[James Tetley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in Mongolia about a girl on an adventure to overcome her disability of 1 foot that was crushed when a child. I read this to my son as part of our homeschool curriculum. I found it deeply moving and was brought to tears a couple of times (it doesn't take much). Set in a world of shamans and magic it captures Mongolian life accurately. Clearly not a Christian tale yet hauntingly beautiful. A captivating adventure with a suitably fitting climax.

[Kayla Squire · Rating 3 out of 5]

This took me a while to get through, but I finally finished it! This had a little bit of a Mulan feel to it that was fun. I don't really know much about Mongolia in general so I enjoyed learning a little bit more through this story. I did think it was kind of neat how it was framed as a Grandmother telling her Granddaughter the story. I've always liked horses and it was fun to see Oyuna's connection with Bayan. A fun book overall.

[Aruba Lawai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning, inspiring book with vivid descriptions and great characters. I love how Oyuna, the main character (a girl with a damaged foot) is different, strong, and determined. She refuses to accept bad luck, making her own luck instead.

"I, too, have felt the pity of others. But always I choose my own path. And I pull my own luck from the air. Remember!"