Horse Dreams

About the Book

Horse Dreams is a coming-of-age novel about an eleven year old lonely, latch-key girl, Izzy Carlucci, who dreams of horses and riding lessons forbidden by her mother. Izzy does small odd jobs for neighbors in her city apartment building, earning money for lessons kept secret from her demanding mother. Running errands, Izzy makes friends, in particular a mysterious old woman. From an aging stallion and this elderly friend, Izzy learns horse skills, people savvy and self reliance. When the stallion develops pneumonia, Izzy cares for him day after day. Her dedication heals the stallion and earns her mother’s respect. As Izzy turns twelve, her horse dreams help her find strength to appreciate her mother, find new dreams and face the death of her wise old friend.

About the Author

Nancy Stevenson holds an MA degree in American History from American University and an MFA in Writing for Children from Vermont College (now Vermont College of Fine Arts). She and her husband, Adlai, farm near Galena, Illinois. Their daughter, Lucy, raises Irish Draught horses with her husband, Chris Neher, and two daughters in Montana.