Two to Tango

Gr 4–6—This installment of the "Second Chance Ranch" series features 12-year-old Natalie Ramirez, the oldest of four sisters in a family who cares for animals on their way to find forever homes. While animal-loving young readers will adore the overarching themes of rescuing horses, kittens, and puppies, the story is really about the changing nature of human friendship. Just as the animals come and go, Natalie must come to terms with her best friend Sophie's move to Boston and the conflicted feelings of having a new, very different potential best friend, Darcy. Unlike horse-loving Texan Natalie, Darcy hails from Hawaii and enjoys things Natalie does not, like sushi, yoga, and French movies; she is even allergic to animals. How can one ever have two best friends, anyway? Echoing the "new girl" theme is the arrival of a mysterious new horse called Tango. Abrams presents relatable obstacles for kids while expertly connecting the animals' roles with the humans'.