Jessie dreams of training horses, and secretly begins working with a Paint filly named Storm Chaser. But when disaster strikes the ranch, will she be able to protect Storm Chaser? Thirteen-year-old Jessie lives with her family on the dusty Wild Hawk Ranch in Nevada and loves the horses her father and brother break in to sell to local ranchers and rodeo competitors. This year, she is determined to help train the horses, especially when she lays eyes on the wild Paint filly Storm Chaser. When Jessie’s father tells her she is still too young, she deliberately disobeys him by working with the filly. When a fire destroys the barn, Jessie’s family reluctantly turns their ranch into a vacation dude ranch to earn much-needed money. Jessie becomes wary of Ariel, a rude guest and spoiled city girl who always expects to get her way, and when Ariel announces she wants to buy Storm Chaser, Jessie’s already fragile world begins to crack. What can she do to keep “her” beloved Paint from being sold? Chris Platt, a former jockey, has written an entertaining and well-paced story with sympathetic characters. Featuring plenty of horse-filled action scenes and information about horse training and behavior, Storm Chaser is sure to delight equine enthusiasts. Grade 4–6—Jessica Warner, 13, plans to spend the summer helping out on her family's Nevada ranch, riding her faithful old horse, Rusty, and spending time with her friend Marybeth. When a fierce storm hits, the old barn catches fire. Rusty survives, but he can no longer be ridden. Jessica disobeys her father and begins working with a wild paint filly she has dubbed Storm Chaser. After the fire, the Warners decide to transform the working ranch into a vacation spot. When the first group of "dudes" arrives for a week of riding, weenie roasts, and swims at the lake, culminating with a cattle drive, things become complicated for Jess. One of the vacationers has her eye on Storm Chaser and makes a big show of wanting to buy her. Platt draws readers into life on the ranch and shares her knowledge and love of horses. The story unfolds at a smooth pace, introducing new characters and situations in a timely manner. The writing flows naturally with succinct descriptions and a light, yet exciting mood that is created from the beginning. Information on horse breeds and training ring true, and an author's note provides further detail on paint horses.— Bethany A. Lafferty, Henderson District Public Library, NV END Despite mention of cell phones and ATVs, there’s a retro quality to Platt’s novel of a girl, a horse, and a Nevada ranch worked by a traditional nuclear family. With its emphasis on kin pulling together and valuing the ranch’s survival over individual needs, the setting could be the 1950s or even the 1870s. Somehow it’s comforting, even if the heroine, Jessie, seems quaintly lacking in anything approaching real angst. After all, in an almost sexist move, Dad stymies her attempts to train a paint quarter horse she dubs Storm Chaser. Jessie’s emotions are held in check even after her brother encourages her efforts, and she stoically faces the horse’s possible loss to a spoiled, manipulative girl—a visitor to Jessie’s home, now turned dude ranch (an economically necessary response to a disastrous barn fire). Girls who adore horse stories—fans of Terri Farley’s books as well as those who prefer the individuality of Pam Muñoz Ryan’s Paint the Wind (2007)—will find plenty to like here. Grades 4-6. --Karen Cruze "Lovely horse details, fine characterization and a real sense of family combine to make an excellent book..." -- Kirkus "The writing flows naturally with succinct descriptions and a light, yet exciting mood that is created from the beginning." -- School Library Journal CHRIS PLATT, one of the first female jockeys in Oregon, is the author of more than a dozen books for young readers, including the popular horse novels Willow King, its sequel Race the Wind, and many titles in the Thoroughbred series. She lives in Nevada.