Moonrunner

by Mark Thomason

A boy, a horse, an unbreakable bond. It is the 1890s and 12-year-old Casey has just moved to Australia. He misses his home in Montana and his friends, but most of all he misses the wild mustangs. When Casey discovers a herd of wild brumbies he develops a bond with a stallion, Moonrunner, that changes his life.

Genres: Horses, Historical Fiction

288 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2009

Reviews

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book dealt with some serious issues in ways that felt superficial to me, but are just right for young readers. 9-12 year old animal lovers should enjoy this book.

[Skye · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book if you love horses or are a horsey person I recommend this book 100%, I’ve read it about 3 times haha but the ending is a bit sad so keep that in mind!

[Holly Vanco · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read so many books throughout my life, but this one is one of the absolute best. It is the book Moonrunner by Mark Thomason. It is about twelve-year-old Casey Jenner. In this book Casey has to move from Montana to his grandfather’s homestead in Australia. Along with him come his Ma and Pa. They don’t have any family in Australia and the worst part is Casey is getting bullied at school by Mike, Frank, Jimmy, and Charlie. The boys go from beating Casey up to burning his baseball bat. At one point this causes Casey to run away. While away he comes across a mysterious, black stallion of whom he names Moonrunner. Then Casey’s father decides to take him to the rodeo in Omeo. There they win a potato sack race against his bullies and watch a horse race. While there Casey keeps his eye on a little mare. He thinks she will win the race, but little did he know she finished last. After the race he decides to check out the little mare and finds her owner beating her because she lost. Casey feels bad for the mare and makes a deal to work for her. While working for the owner he meets Ernie the foreman who teaches him to trap brumbies, or wild horses, and even gives him a saddle for Lady his new horse. After owning Lady for awhile his family soon doesn’t have enough money to feed her for the winter. So Casey makes the choice to set her free with the brumbies and recapture her the next spring. During the winter that she is set free with Moonrunner she becomes pregnant. Casey becomes so excited for Lady’s foal and even befriends Moonrunner. Then money goes short the next winter and they have to set lady free again, but when an unexpected blizzard comes… Will Lady and her foal be okay? Will Moonrunner accept Lady back into the herd? Find out in the exciting tale of Moonrunner. I would recommend this book to children nine and up because the story line would be harder to get for younger children. This book is strictly fiction (so don’t go off trying to befriend wild horses). This author uses easy to understand vocabulary with sometimes a few hard words. You would love this book is you like animal, drama (partially), and/or history.

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recommended for gr. 5-8. Set in the 1890's, this story is about a boy who has recently moved from Montana to Australia. As historical fiction, I found a few things less than likely: a struggling family moving to Australia was probably not likely to have taken livestock (horse and mule) with them on the journey; the boy refers to himself as "from Montana" to his Australian classmates - I'm not sure they would have understood that (as opposed to "from the U.S."); he and his parents seem to have more free time than I would expect struggling homesteaders to have. That said, for the most part the wild horses seem real up until the end when the wild stallion does something that seems unlikely (I won't give it away, although it makes for a touching moment). Some Australian history will be learned by the reader (settled by convicts, etc.)

[Mark Robison · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was about a boy who rode a donkey to school and he wanted a horse .
He went into the mountains and saw a horse.The horse looked at him they made eye contact .Then it got dark so he headed home.

The theme was don't ever give up. belive in your dreams. chase them persue them dont give up.Never give up it will come you can acheave them.

A character is the boy doesn't really say his name.but he has a dream in the book to have a horse.and all he did was ride a donkey to school.He ages through the book from a young boy to an young man.

I think the book was good and any one who likes animal loveing storeies should read.It was ensiring it made me look at dreams different.It made think to persue my dreams and belive in them.So im gonna chase my dreams now ionce again i loved it.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

For anyone who enjoyed reading "The Black Stallion", read this book too.

Casey and his parents have just moved to Australia from Montana in the late 1890's. He is having a hard time adjusting to the new place: his horse was sold, he is bullied by the boys at school, no one here plays baseball... Until late one night when he unexpectedly comes face to face with a wild stallion, who Casey nicknames Moonrunner.

[Sonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

A boy's family moves to Australia and change is inevitable. Adjustment, and wanting to adjust are struggles he fights, until he sees a wild stallion that understands him.

He is tested with choices, with reactions, with relationships. His struggles show growth and maturity as the book progresses.

He gives alternative ways to deal with bullying. Some of his solutions keep things from his parents that allow danger to come to him.Through the problems, he deepens his maturity and independence.

[♥Meaty♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt almost disappointedas I read this book. I figured this book was going to be more about Moonrunner, but honestly it was more about the main character. I did like this book because it was just simply different from books that I usually read. I liked the time period it was written in also.

[Margret Klippet · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love this book it is one of my all time favourites
it is heart breaking but also a loving story

[Samantha.vanderoord · Rating 5 out of 5]

love the book such a good book to read exspecialy that im a horsie girl

[Haven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for kids.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a cool book a bit sad though