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Mysteries in Our National Parks #6
Ghost Horses
In this National Parks Mystery, twelve-year-old Jack Landon and his younger sister Ashley travel with their wildlife biologist mom and photographer dad to Utah?s Zion National Park. Dr. Olivia Landon becomes involved in an investigation into the strange behavior of a group of wild white mustangs that belong to the Chloride Herd. Trouble seems to follow the two yong Shoshone kids temporarily placed in the foster care of the Landons. A string of life-threatening disasters keeps young readers turning pages as the fast-paced story builds to a heart-stopping conclusion.
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
11 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
About the author
Gloria Skurzynski
90 books30 followers"May you live in interesting times."
That ambiguous wish was not meant to be kind, because interesting times can be difficult. You and I certainly live in interesting times - dangerous, challenging, and fascinating.
My parents were born just before the start of the twentieth century; my youngest grandchild arrived in this century's final decade. The years in between have been the most dynamic in the history of the human race. Technical knowledge has exploded; so has the Earth's human population. We can create almost anything, yet each day we lose parts of our planet that can never be replaced.
I'm greedy: I want to write about all of it - the history, the grief, joy, and excitement of being human in times past; the cutting-edge inventions of times almost here.
--from the author's website
Gloria Skurzynski has also co-written books with her daughter Alane Ferguson.
That ambiguous wish was not meant to be kind, because interesting times can be difficult. You and I certainly live in interesting times - dangerous, challenging, and fascinating.
My parents were born just before the start of the twentieth century; my youngest grandchild arrived in this century's final decade. The years in between have been the most dynamic in the history of the human race. Technical knowledge has exploded; so has the Earth's human population. We can create almost anything, yet each day we lose parts of our planet that can never be replaced.
I'm greedy: I want to write about all of it - the history, the grief, joy, and excitement of being human in times past; the cutting-edge inventions of times almost here.
--from the author's website
Gloria Skurzynski has also co-written books with her daughter Alane Ferguson.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 25, 2021
I must admit the high action and scary, thrilling scenes of danger in this book certainly surprised me. And there is certainly a lot more in here than just horses: dangerous canyons, hiking adventures and all the natural beauty of Zion National Park in Utah. And yes, while reading this I just had to go look at photos of Zion on google. And wow! It is stunning! Even more amazing than the Grand Canyon! This is definitely a great adventure story with life and death situations.
But a lot of this story is about a herd of wild mustangs that live near Zion, on the Chloride Range. This area is shared by both wild horses and domestic cattle but there is something wrong with the white horses in the one herd. They are acting strange and a few have even died. But what is it?
The main characters in here are two pairs of brothers & sisters: Jack & Asley Landon plus Ethan & Summer Ingawanup who belong to the Shoshone tribe. Jack & Asley's parents are being foster parents for the Ingawanup children. Unfortunately through most of the book the two boys are arguing and it gets old pretty fast. It got on my nerves as I wanted to just enjoy the adventure story and the bits with the horses but here they are squabbling. Nor did I like how Ethan was constantly bossing his sister or how bitter Jack was. I think it's clear Jack was jealous that Ethan was around. And its for this I had docked a star.
The book seems to have two plots: one about exploring Zion and the other about the horses. I do think it sort of focuses more on Zion (as that area was indeed more dangerous) but there are scenes with the herd too, including the dangerous one you see on the cover. And yes that is a real scene in the novel.
The mystery about the white horses is revealed way at the end. I did not see that coming but in retrospect I guess I should have?
There is a scene of horse riding near the beginning once they reach Zion but otherwise its them watching a wild herd.
But I am also a little bit confused? Are the white horses albino ? But I thought the book says they have black manes? That sure doesn't sound like albino to me.
I do like the horse drawn on the cover. Look at the expression on it's face! White of the eye showing, ear back, mouth open, hooves flashing in the air: a frightened horse! You can almost hear the shrill scream.
There are apparently more books in this series about the national parks and I might try to read those too. I doubt if they will have horses but they should hopefully be good adventure stories.
But a lot of this story is about a herd of wild mustangs that live near Zion, on the Chloride Range. This area is shared by both wild horses and domestic cattle but there is something wrong with the white horses in the one herd. They are acting strange and a few have even died. But what is it?
The main characters in here are two pairs of brothers & sisters: Jack & Asley Landon plus Ethan & Summer Ingawanup who belong to the Shoshone tribe. Jack & Asley's parents are being foster parents for the Ingawanup children. Unfortunately through most of the book the two boys are arguing and it gets old pretty fast. It got on my nerves as I wanted to just enjoy the adventure story and the bits with the horses but here they are squabbling. Nor did I like how Ethan was constantly bossing his sister or how bitter Jack was. I think it's clear Jack was jealous that Ethan was around. And its for this I had docked a star.
The book seems to have two plots: one about exploring Zion and the other about the horses. I do think it sort of focuses more on Zion (as that area was indeed more dangerous) but there are scenes with the herd too, including the dangerous one you see on the cover. And yes that is a real scene in the novel.
The mystery about the white horses is revealed way at the end. I did not see that coming but in retrospect I guess I should have?
There is a scene of horse riding near the beginning once they reach Zion but otherwise its them watching a wild herd.
But I am also a little bit confused? Are the white horses albino ? But I thought the book says they have black manes? That sure doesn't sound like albino to me.
I do like the horse drawn on the cover. Look at the expression on it's face! White of the eye showing, ear back, mouth open, hooves flashing in the air: a frightened horse! You can almost hear the shrill scream.
There are apparently more books in this series about the national parks and I might try to read those too. I doubt if they will have horses but they should hopefully be good adventure stories.
July 30, 2021
this was okay. i liked the zion setting since i just went there for vacation so i knew/understood every reference and every description of the national park. the story was decent, i wish it was more in depth with the characters. it felt too short, but it is a middle-grade chapter book, so i’m not too surprised that it didn’t feel too deep.
December 19, 2020
I recently bought the entire series since I didn’t have it as a kid and wanted to see what it was all about, needless to say I absolutely adored it. Highly Recommend to any up and coming mystery readers!
January 6, 2023
Bought this as a fun read while in Zion and enjoyed the setting and pace. It needs to be updated though as the representation of how the wild horse population is being managed by the government is grossly outdated and misleading.
July 24, 2017
I read this because we are going to Zion and I like to read books set in the areas where we travel. This is a ya book and is very simply written. I found it lacking. Lame.
January 2, 2020
Cute book for tweens/teens who like mysteries. Lots of information on the National Park.
Read
November 4, 2020This book is boring than other books that I have read. Thank you.
April 6, 2019
*REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS*
It was kind of fun to read. The structure of the mystery is engaging and a useful way to learn about nature and the National Parks of the US. Some of the ways they relayed info about the parks were really cheesy, like the dad just reading out of the guidebook. The biggest problem I had was with the way the authors treat the two Native American characters.
This book is part of a series published by National Geographic Society called Mysteries in Our National Parks. Each book is set in a different National Park, with a different mystery for the Landon family along with one or two foster children temporarily in the Landons’ care to solve. Ghost Horses takes place in Zion National Park in southern Utah, where Jack’s mother is giving a lecture. The novel opens further north, however, where the Landons pick up Ethan and Summer, two Shoshone kids who will be staying with them until their older sister can come home from college to pick them up and care for them. Jack, the Landons’ son, and Ethan butt heads immediately and throughout most of the novel, as Jack doesn’t understand Ethan’s anger, and Ethan struggles to grieve the loss of his parents and trust the Landons. Once they arrive in Zion, they find that certain sections of the park are closed due to the strange behavior of a band of wild horses in the area. Jack blames Ethan, who in his anger had all four children perform the Ghost Dance at a gravesite before leaving the reservation. While Jack’s mom, sister, and Summer work with the local BLM agents and park rangers to figure out what’s wrong with the horses, Jack, Ethan, and Jack’s dad hike the Narrows, and get caught in a flash flood. Ethan saves Jack’s life, sealing their friendship, and a scientific explanation is found for the horses’ behavior.
Although there is plenty of action in the story, and the characters feel real and complex, there are many problematic elements in this novel. While Ethan and Summer have strengths and weaknesses and are generally round characters, the only times cultural elements figure prominently, they are used in ways that primarily affect the development of the white main character or as a tool in the plot. The Ghost Dance is used throughout as a red herring for the mystery of the horses’ behavior, and during the flood, Jack gets to see a stereotypical spirit vision of Ethan’s parents dressed in buckskin and feathers being proud of their son. Ethan does not get to see this vision, and must hear about it from Jack. Worse, once there is a scientific explanation for the horses’ behavior, Jack’s parents assure the kids that the Ghost Dance didn’t cause all their troubles in a way that is dismissive of the religious and spiritual nature of Ethan’s and Summer’s culture: “Summer is very intuitive, and that’s a wonderful gift, but you two didn’t bring on any of those bad things…no dance caused the flood or the rock slide or the mustang to nearly crash into Ashley. Only nature made those things happen” (Skurzynski 139).
Also of note, the book is meant to get children excited about national parks, so the it is full of descriptions of the natural features and the science behind them. This comes in the form of cheesy dialogue where characters read sections of the park guide aloud in the car. While the action of the story makes it a mostly engaging read, these parts tend to be somewhat jarring at worst and boring at best.
It was kind of fun to read. The structure of the mystery is engaging and a useful way to learn about nature and the National Parks of the US. Some of the ways they relayed info about the parks were really cheesy, like the dad just reading out of the guidebook. The biggest problem I had was with the way the authors treat the two Native American characters.
This book is part of a series published by National Geographic Society called Mysteries in Our National Parks. Each book is set in a different National Park, with a different mystery for the Landon family along with one or two foster children temporarily in the Landons’ care to solve. Ghost Horses takes place in Zion National Park in southern Utah, where Jack’s mother is giving a lecture. The novel opens further north, however, where the Landons pick up Ethan and Summer, two Shoshone kids who will be staying with them until their older sister can come home from college to pick them up and care for them. Jack, the Landons’ son, and Ethan butt heads immediately and throughout most of the novel, as Jack doesn’t understand Ethan’s anger, and Ethan struggles to grieve the loss of his parents and trust the Landons. Once they arrive in Zion, they find that certain sections of the park are closed due to the strange behavior of a band of wild horses in the area. Jack blames Ethan, who in his anger had all four children perform the Ghost Dance at a gravesite before leaving the reservation. While Jack’s mom, sister, and Summer work with the local BLM agents and park rangers to figure out what’s wrong with the horses, Jack, Ethan, and Jack’s dad hike the Narrows, and get caught in a flash flood. Ethan saves Jack’s life, sealing their friendship, and a scientific explanation is found for the horses’ behavior.
Although there is plenty of action in the story, and the characters feel real and complex, there are many problematic elements in this novel. While Ethan and Summer have strengths and weaknesses and are generally round characters, the only times cultural elements figure prominently, they are used in ways that primarily affect the development of the white main character or as a tool in the plot. The Ghost Dance is used throughout as a red herring for the mystery of the horses’ behavior, and during the flood, Jack gets to see a stereotypical spirit vision of Ethan’s parents dressed in buckskin and feathers being proud of their son. Ethan does not get to see this vision, and must hear about it from Jack. Worse, once there is a scientific explanation for the horses’ behavior, Jack’s parents assure the kids that the Ghost Dance didn’t cause all their troubles in a way that is dismissive of the religious and spiritual nature of Ethan’s and Summer’s culture: “Summer is very intuitive, and that’s a wonderful gift, but you two didn’t bring on any of those bad things…no dance caused the flood or the rock slide or the mustang to nearly crash into Ashley. Only nature made those things happen” (Skurzynski 139).
Also of note, the book is meant to get children excited about national parks, so the it is full of descriptions of the natural features and the science behind them. This comes in the form of cheesy dialogue where characters read sections of the park guide aloud in the car. While the action of the story makes it a mostly engaging read, these parts tend to be somewhat jarring at worst and boring at best.
June 6, 2016
This is not the last installment of the MYSTERIES IN OUR NATIONAL PARKS series, but until my local library network acquires any more, this is the last of the books in their collection. So I decided to save the best for last and read the book set in one of my favorite (and local) national parks, Zion -- GHOST HORSES.
I really liked the mystery of the wild mustangs in this book -- of course, the mystery was in nearby Chloride Canyon rather than within the confines of the park. The foster kids, a brother & sister who grew up on a Native American reservation, were the typical stand-offish-but-misunderstood-and-genuinely-good kids that seem to be a common trope in these books -- and most kids usually are generally nice, despite their individual testing moments. When I think about it, maybe it's not necessarily the foster kids who are problem, though of course they come from troubled circumstances. Maybe it's that the main character, Jack Landon, does not socialize easily with anyone that's different from him.
Anyway, I thought they did a nice job with the description of Zion National Park. However, the dangerous part of the park -- the flash flooding -- I felt was played down in terms of how dangerous it can get. The fact that 2 kids and an adult survived a flash flood while hiking in the Narrows is a freaking miracle. To be swept away down the river and only get a broken arm? To cling to a narrow ledge and only come away with a concussion? Please. This is probably the first book in the series where I had said to myself, "Yeah, in real life these people would have been dead meat."
To summarize: Fun book, but don't hike the Narrows if there is even a remote chance of a flash flood because it will be NOTHING like what happens to the characters in the book.
I really liked the mystery of the wild mustangs in this book -- of course, the mystery was in nearby Chloride Canyon rather than within the confines of the park. The foster kids, a brother & sister who grew up on a Native American reservation, were the typical stand-offish-but-misunderstood-and-genuinely-good kids that seem to be a common trope in these books -- and most kids usually are generally nice, despite their individual testing moments. When I think about it, maybe it's not necessarily the foster kids who are problem, though of course they come from troubled circumstances. Maybe it's that the main character, Jack Landon, does not socialize easily with anyone that's different from him.
Anyway, I thought they did a nice job with the description of Zion National Park. However, the dangerous part of the park -- the flash flooding -- I felt was played down in terms of how dangerous it can get. The fact that 2 kids and an adult survived a flash flood while hiking in the Narrows is a freaking miracle. To be swept away down the river and only get a broken arm? To cling to a narrow ledge and only come away with a concussion? Please. This is probably the first book in the series where I had said to myself, "Yeah, in real life these people would have been dead meat."
To summarize: Fun book, but don't hike the Narrows if there is even a remote chance of a flash flood because it will be NOTHING like what happens to the characters in the book.
March 2, 2016
Ghost Horses is the second book in Gloria Skurzynski’s Mysteries in our National Parks series that I’ve read and was very impressed with this piece. The story is set in Zion National Park. We are introduced to the Landon family and in particular their 12-year old son, Jack. We are also introduced to the Ingawanup siblings, Ethan and Summer, who are foster children. The Landon family takes in Ethan and Summer and as a blended family head off to explore Zion National Park. The story starts off slowly as we get to know all of the characters. But the third chapter the plot line starts to rise and becomes fast-paced.
Skurzynski does a great job with her characters as they struggle to blend two cultures, American and Shoshone. We also see how the two boys, Ethan and Jack, come to terms with their rivalry and overcome a major challenge. Skurzynski bridges the rivalry gab by building suspense by introducing magic/superstition as a red herring. Her concise descriptive language allows the reader to feel like they are there with these characters in Zion. This is a good book for fifth graders and I highly recommend it. I can see fifth grade teachers using to focus on character study.
Skurzynski does a great job with her characters as they struggle to blend two cultures, American and Shoshone. We also see how the two boys, Ethan and Jack, come to terms with their rivalry and overcome a major challenge. Skurzynski bridges the rivalry gab by building suspense by introducing magic/superstition as a red herring. Her concise descriptive language allows the reader to feel like they are there with these characters in Zion. This is a good book for fifth graders and I highly recommend it. I can see fifth grade teachers using to focus on character study.
January 12, 2011
J Skurzynski
Jack Landon and his family live in Jackson Hole. Jack's parents are foster parents, thus Jack and his sister, Ashley, often have other children sharing their daily adventures. The story takes place in Zion National Park in Utah and on the Chloride range (on BLM land).
Two Shoshone kids, Ethan and his sister, Summer, are placed in the Landon's foster care. Ethan does not hide his dislike for "Anglos". It is a struggle right from the start for Jack and Ethan to get along. Even after Ethan teaches Jack and Ashley the Ghost Dance, Jack is still unsure about Ethan's friendship.
Olivia Landon is a wildlife biologist, and is asked to help investigate the mysterious deaths of some white mustangs. The book deals with the emotions of the Landon family and the Shoshone children. One will also learn about some of the differences between the NPS and BLM on wildlife management. You will be along with Mr. Landon's and the boys' frightening adventure up the Narrows. Are the life-threatening events just accidents, or is there some strange magic in the Ghost Dance? The answer waits in the raging waters of Slickrock Canyon!
Jack Landon and his family live in Jackson Hole. Jack's parents are foster parents, thus Jack and his sister, Ashley, often have other children sharing their daily adventures. The story takes place in Zion National Park in Utah and on the Chloride range (on BLM land).
Two Shoshone kids, Ethan and his sister, Summer, are placed in the Landon's foster care. Ethan does not hide his dislike for "Anglos". It is a struggle right from the start for Jack and Ethan to get along. Even after Ethan teaches Jack and Ashley the Ghost Dance, Jack is still unsure about Ethan's friendship.
Olivia Landon is a wildlife biologist, and is asked to help investigate the mysterious deaths of some white mustangs. The book deals with the emotions of the Landon family and the Shoshone children. One will also learn about some of the differences between the NPS and BLM on wildlife management. You will be along with Mr. Landon's and the boys' frightening adventure up the Narrows. Are the life-threatening events just accidents, or is there some strange magic in the Ghost Dance? The answer waits in the raging waters of Slickrock Canyon!
July 18, 2012
Ghost Horses is book number six in the "Mysteries in our National Parks" series. Jack and Ashley Landon are siblings in a family that temporarily houses foster children. Their family travels to our nation's many national parks and find mysteries waiting for them. In this book, the pair find themselves at Zion National Park in Utah. The siblings learn the Ghost Dance with the help of Ethan and Summer, the Shoshone foster children they are currently housing. They are told the Ghost Dance is supposed to bring bad luck, but when bad things start happening, should they believe the superstition?
I really like this series because it is set in places I would want to see someday AND features animals in every book. I also love a good mystery!
I really like this series because it is set in places I would want to see someday AND features animals in every book. I also love a good mystery!
June 26, 2012
Good middle school read. Mystery set in Zion National Park. Features a Native American sibling pair and the boy's resentment of Anglos, magnificent scenery descriptions, minor discussion of the National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management policies, and a mystery involving wild horses.
I picked this one up from my middle school library because we are planning a trip to Zion later this summer. The characters in the book hike two of our planned hikes - trust me, I will check the weather report before hiking the Narrows!
I picked this one up from my middle school library because we are planning a trip to Zion later this summer. The characters in the book hike two of our planned hikes - trust me, I will check the weather report before hiking the Narrows!
March 17, 2015
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads. I enjoyed this story. It had a great message about how we need to give time to get to know each other better. Jack and Ethan finally become friends, and the mystery of the ghost horses is solved. I like that it is based on the area for real. It is well written for young people and they should enjoy it very much. It was a very good read for me!
February 23, 2016
I read this book set in Zion National Park to prepare for a visit there in a couple of months. I was hoping it would, within the story's framework, give me some insight into the features of the park. It did actually give in-depth views of two of the Park's features, the Narrows and the herds of wild mustangs, but not the kind of information I was hoping for. It's a pretty good adventure story for both boys and girls, and has a nice view into Native American culture of the area too.
May 31, 2011
Okay. I like the fact the authors took the time and research the national park to write a good book. Drama was switch on and we wonder if Jack and the Shoshone kids would ever get along and the "curse" behind the ghost dance and how it effects the family road trip. ADVENTOUS definitely and I like that I learned a lot. People might like the book but this is just me saying, it's OK.
November 10, 2014
wow an amazing story of the native americans....it is hard for them since they lost their mom and their grandma...white people may be mean and bad but that doesn't mean every white people because there are some who cares
June 9, 2009
This is a good book in Zion NP(National Park). We will be going Zion, but not for awhile.
August 29, 2011
This one is about Zion National Park. Let me just take this opportunity to gently let you all know that the proper names is Zion National Park, NOT Zion's National Park. Just Zion. Okay? Thanks!
November 6, 2014
This book would be a great "read-a-loud" in a Utah studies class. It gives history of Zions, the Native Americans and life in the Wild West.
It is for younger readers.
It is for younger readers.
May 22, 2013
5/21 111 Skurzynski, Gloria Ghost Horses 16 [g 0 ratred 3
isbn 07922-7055 x unable to find on goodreads
isbn 07922-7055 x unable to find on goodreads
June 7, 2014
I think both boys and girls would enjoy this book. The story was interesting but easy to follow. I enjoyed it.
July 22, 2016
very good book , very good plot , I should like way too aver more books so
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews