In this coming-of-age story perfect for horse fans, twelve-year-old
animal lover Joni clashes with her new neighbor and animal rights
activist Chess. Their bumpy friendship reaches a crisis when Chess
stages an impulsive animal rescue, and Joni must act fast to save the
animals' lives.
Shy Joni loves her family's Vermont sheep farm and her strong-willed
horse, Archie. When ebullient Chess moves nearby, Joni is drawn to her
big personality. However, Chess's opinions on animal rights, global
warming, and responsible farming soon have Joni both questioning and
defending her family's farm. But when Chess steals miniature horses from
their neighbor to rescue them, Joni is challenged to find the courage to
stand up to Chess. In this complex tale of bridging differences and
finding your own voice, two friends nearly break their friendship before
they can begin to rebuild it.