by Philip Kerr
Flap Copy Description:
Kalinka is in danger.
She is an orphan, with no family or friends. She is alone on the vast Ukrainian steppe, in the dead of winter in 1941. She has no idea which direction might lead to safety. But the biggest danger for Kalinka is the yellow Star of David embroidered on her coat.
Then she meets two horses on the snowy plains, horses from another time. Untamable, cunning, and wise, the Przewalski's horses have endured all the cruelness of the world since the era of cave paintings - but the current evils of World War II are beyond anything they've ever witnessed.
These horses may be the last of their kind; should they become two more casualties of the war, the race could be extinct. They recognize in Kalinka a kindred spirit, and a hope for survival, as they flee the fast-approaching Nazis, intent on killing all three of them. Will she be able to save them - or will they save her?
My Thoughts:
The Winter Horses is the first novel by Philip Kerr I've read, but it won't be the last! Mr. Kerr has penned a well-written story that is part historical fiction and part fairy tale - it's just fantastic. This extraordinary novel features a fourteen-year-old female protagonist who is both tender and tough, and who loves animals. Bravo! If you enjoyed The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak, or The Dogs of Winter, by Bonnie Pyron, then you'll love this inspiring tale. I would highly recommend The Winter Horses to readers from the age of ten and up.
Click here to learn about the author, Philip Kerr.
