Description:

A sequel to Chancey of the Maury River, this heart-tugging story focuses on Macadoo — the gentle giant of the Maury River Stables. When Macadoo is just a colt, he challenges his father — a huge Belgian stallion — in order to protect his dam. From that moment on, Mac knows that his purpose in life is to help others. From surviving a kill auction to learning how to be a vaulting horse to giving therapeutic riding lessons, Mac is always patient and never loses hope in his mission to serve others — and he finds the courage to "walk on" through even the most difficult circumstances. Told with insight and compassion from Macadoo’s point of view, this is a story that all horse lovers will cherish. ** ### From School Library Journal Gr 4–8—Macadoo, a Belgian yearling, and his mother, Mamare, spend their days playing in the sun and grazing in large lush pastures. For Macadoo, life is full of many joys in the field, such as prancing with other yearlings and foals and playing with monarch butterflies. Then Mamare, the yearling, and many others are herded onto a truck bound for the auction house. The horses will either be bought for work and leisure or bought for slaughter. The young horse finds himself alone in the kill line and tries frantically to catch a kind buyer's eye. What will be his destiny? Will he ever see his Mamare again? Will he be ground into chunks of meat? Listeners will be quickly drawn into this suspenseful story. Amateau's character development leaves listeners with a strong affection for the creatures in this story (Candlewick, 2013). She masterfully weaves information about many different creatures into the story as well, through encounters with the young horse. JD Jackson's voice does not change for the different characters, but his pace and emotion work well. This is a wonderful choice for schools with avid horse fans.—Katy Charles, Virgil Elementary School, Cortland, NY ### About the Author Gigi Amateau is the author of the first book in the Horses of the Maury River series, Chancey of the Maury River, which was a William Allen White Master List selection, as well as Come August, Come Freedom; A Certain Strain of Peculiar; and Claiming Georgia Tate. Of the inspiration behind Macadoo’s story, she says, “Horses entered our family when my daughter was four years old. Fifteen years later, I can testify that we’re a stronger, happier, healthier family because of it. Being around horses requires us to bring our best, most aware, most generous selves into the moment. Even though the role of the horse has changed over the centuries, I am in awe of the many ways horses help people today.” A recipient of the Theresa Pollak Prize for Excellence in the Arts, Gigi Amateau lives in Richmond, Virginia.