Paint the Wind

When her imperious grandmother dies suddenly, 11-year-old Maya, an orphan, is sent to Wyoming to live with her mother's family—strangers to her, thanks to her grandmother's high-handed notions. There Maya discovers a love of horses, especially those raised and trained by her great-aunt Vi. A skilled actress, McInerney captures Maya's longings and her growing confidence. The narration adroitly shifts from childlike to a more serious tone as segments are told from the perspective of the wild mare, Artemisia, whose path will intertwine with Maya's. Others of Maya's relatives, such as her grandfather Moose and great-uncle Fig, speak with a twang that firmly places the story “out west.” As a bonus, Ryan reads from the trail diary that inspired the book. Ages 10-up. Simultaneous release with the Scholastic hardcover (Reviews, Aug. 20). (Oct.)