Gr 5-8 Three lives and three story lines merge as readers get to know a former racehorse, a 12-year-old girl, and a middle-aged woman. Dream of Night was a successful Thoroughbred until an undetected injury led, over time, to horrific abuse and neglect. Shiloh and her mom suffered unspeakable domestic violence, landing Shiloh in increasingly ineffective foster homes. Jess has spent years working with rescued horses and foster kids, but thinks that perhaps she is too old now for either one. Night and Shiloh both end up at Jess's farm and are needy, angry, and incapable of trust. Eventually, cracks begin to appear in the walls that the two have erected, and a crisis cements their bond. Within each chapter, the third-person narration switches from character to character, with each portion labeled. The brief sections use few words to maximum potential, developing each character and focusing on believable behaviors. While accepting Night's line of thought occasionally requires a leap of faith, this is a touching read with a satisfying ending. Recommend it to kids who have heard about Dave Pelzer's "A Child Called "It"" (Health Communications, 1995) and to animal lovers or girls who read reluctantly."Faith Brautigam, Gail Borden Public Library, Elgin, IL" Copyright 2010 Media Source Inc.
The book's events are related from three perspectives: Shiloh, a misunderstood foster kid; Night, an abused horse; and their rescuer, Jessalynn. Henson's writing is effectively terse and tight. The tale provides a unique twist on the familiar theme of damaged souls who find each other and finally come into their own.
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