The book, In the Heart of the Mustang by
MJ Evans, is the type of horse novel I love to read, one with an interesting protagonist, an endearing theme without being preachy, a detailed setting and cast of characters the reader won't forget.
When 15 year-old Hunter learns that his mother has lied to him about his father, he retaliates by running away and making the wrong sort of friends on the street. To avoid trouble with the court, his grandfather suggests they send Hunter to a boy's ranch in Arizona and grandpa will pay for his stay.
Hunter is not impressed with Promise Ranch at first, and especially when he meets the other at-risk boys and staff including the head cowboy, a horse trainer for the wild mustangs that the ranch adopts. But slowly he learns about life lessons, even after a personal tragedy.
This is a fantastic story for everyone, not just horse lovers. It's one of the best coming of age novels I've ever read!