Seventh grader Abby lives and works on her family's horse ranch in the 1960's. Ranch life is hard work, but Abby loves helping to train the horses her father sells, and feels that she relates better to them than to her classmates. When the popular kids turn against Abby and her born-again Christian parents' objections to "everything" embarrass her, Abby finds solace in her beloved equestrian friends.

This story from a Pulitzer Prize-winning author is filled with much detail about horses, training, and ranch life. A foal is born and its mother dies. Although Abby loves and respects her parents, she struggles with their religion-based rules: she is not allowed to turn in a "Catholic Mission Report" or go to dances. Her father does not care for her education (or for her to go on to college), since he doesn't agree with the curriculum, such as evolution. A physical fight ensues between her brother and father after her brother says "God Damn it to Hell," and is kicked out of the house. Typical seventh grade drama exists amongst cliques and the popular crowds, but it is pretty wholesome. One adult smokes.

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