"The school bus almost drives past Clara's
stop because the blizzard erases hills and
trees and turns in the road. Clara's mother
wants her to stay in the house but she won't.
The two of them go to the barn to see if the
horses have found their way in the storm.
Her mother holds her hand tightly as they
wade through drifts."
Clara does not speak. It makes school difficult for her as she is different from her schoolmates. What Clara has that others do not is a quite extraordinary sense of hearing. Clara also loves horses, especially Moon. Moon cannot see; he, too, has an exceptional ability to hear all that is going on around him.
Clara has a friend Jack. Jack likes Clara just the way she is. They spend time together at school and beyond. Moon also has an ally; Midnight is her name. This warm book about the four of them is sure to capture attention for children who have a special place in their hearts for animals, especially horses. Readers will find comfort in the story about those who are different. They may even see themselves in its pages.
The parallel stories that happen between Clara and Jack and Midnight and Moon are sure to hold the attention of readers as the story progresses. Midnight looks out for Moon, just as Jack supports Clara at school. A blizzard creates havoc with travel for children on the bus after school. Clara arrives home to find that the horses have not returned to the barn.
The horses are caught out in the storm. They cannot find their way back. Thanks to Moon's ability to hear what the others cannot, he is able to lead them to the sound of Clara's soft voice beckoning them to safety.
"None of the horses can hear what Moon hears.
He steps out of the herd and starts walking,
nickering for Midnight. Then all the horses
begin to walk in a wind-tossed line, following
Moon as Clara's voice leads him ...
Home."
Daniel Miyares' artwork, painted with gouache, draws readers into the heart of the story. Differing perspectives are welcome, the color palette inspiring, and the design as it deals with the parallel story lines ideal for providing context.
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