A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2016 "Emmaline's narration is unreliable, flawlessly childlike, and deeply honest; her faith in magic brings her solace and, possibly, healing.
The magical realism is reminiscent of the Chronicles of Narnia, Elizabeth Goudge, or a child's version of Life of Pi...Readers will love this to pieces." --
Kirkus Reviews, Starred review
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In clear, gripping, flawless prose, ...this exquisite, beautifully illustrated middle-grade novel explodes with raw anguish, magic and hope, and readers will clutch it to their chests and not want to let go."--
Shelf Awareness Reviews, Starred review
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Endearing characters, metaphors for life and death, and a slow revelation of the horrors of war give this slim novel a surprising amount of heft."--
Booklist, Starred review
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Magical, terrifying, and full of heart. Open these pages, and ride true."-Kathi Appelt, Newbery Honor-winning author of
The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp "
A remarkable book. Astonishing!"-Michael Morpurgo, author of
War Horse "
A story that will stay with you long after you finish reading it." --MARY BROWN, BOOKS, BYTES & BEYOND, NJ
"A classic magical feel with
a heart-pounding story." --RAE ANN PARKER, PARNASSUS BOOKS, TN
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The seven-to-ten-year-old version of myself would have been in love with this book, reading and rereading until it fell apart as badly as my well-worn copy of
The Secret Garden." --KARI MEUTSCH, PHOENIX BOOKS, VT
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The Secret Horses of Briar Hill has all the elements of a lasting classic." --CHRISTOPHER ROSE, ANDOVER BOOKSTORE, MA
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A masterful novel." --CINDY NORRIS, MALAPROP'S BOOKSTORE/CAFÉ, NC
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A moving and magical story not to be missed." --Leslie Hawkins, Spellbound Children's Bookshop, NC