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Finding Somewhere
Two girls: Best friends Hattie and Delores feel that life in their small New Hampshire town is a dead end.
One horse: Old and about to be put down, Speed gets a reprieve when Hattie and Delores decide to save him.
A road trip: Determined to set Speed free, Hattie and Delores drive him west in search of rangeland. But the road takes some unexpected turns as the girls get their own taste of freedom—and as they confront the reasons they left home.
One horse: Old and about to be put down, Speed gets a reprieve when Hattie and Delores decide to save him.
A road trip: Determined to set Speed free, Hattie and Delores drive him west in search of rangeland. But the road takes some unexpected turns as the girls get their own taste of freedom—and as they confront the reasons they left home.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published November 8, 2011
5 people are currently reading
417 people want to read
About the author
Joseph Monninger
39 books224 followersJoseph Monninger was an American writer and Professor of English at Plymouth State University. He lived in Warren, New Hampshire.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
November 24, 2017
I read this in one sitting and it was engaging and lovely. It had a simple and beautiful story, I loved the ending and I liked they way it felt like it had a lesson or two or 'something to say' without ever feeling like a sitcom episode where someone basically looks down the camera and says, "So kids, what'd we learn today?" It was well handled and I'll be keeping an eye out for some of the other books by this author.
January 15, 2012
One of those quiet books that just blows you away! A deceptively simple plot: two girls steal a horse the day before it's to be put down, to drive West and find a place where the horse can just "be a horse" and live out its last days.
Beautiful language and believable characters. Even better, the two girls are from a class that usually don't appear in books unless they're abused, alcoholic meth dealers. Yes, the rural poor! And while they may have to work with their hands for a living, and met in a GED class, their lives are never held up to be pitied, or something that one must escape from, or the "other."
Also, the girls aren't punished for their sex! They are allowed the freedom of a road trip without any violent sexual attacks. They sleep under the stars. They have a few laughs. They stare down obnoxious local boys. They meet a few cute guys. No hidden "it's dangerous to do this, girls" message here.
Final, bonus points in that there is no artificial love triangle, no boy that makes all thoughts of friendship go out the window in the competition to have a boyfriend.
Beautiful language and believable characters. Even better, the two girls are from a class that usually don't appear in books unless they're abused, alcoholic meth dealers. Yes, the rural poor! And while they may have to work with their hands for a living, and met in a GED class, their lives are never held up to be pitied, or something that one must escape from, or the "other."
Also, the girls aren't punished for their sex! They are allowed the freedom of a road trip without any violent sexual attacks. They sleep under the stars. They have a few laughs. They stare down obnoxious local boys. They meet a few cute guys. No hidden "it's dangerous to do this, girls" message here.
Final, bonus points in that there is no artificial love triangle, no boy that makes all thoughts of friendship go out the window in the competition to have a boyfriend.
January 6, 2012
There is no teenager (or adult, most likely) living on the planet right now who would not say that they would love to simply jump in a car and take off. They would be thrilled to see the country, with their best friend by their side, and fly far away from home in order to meet new people and experience brand new adventures. That is exactly what Hattie did - with one small difference; she did all this so that a very special friend could be free.
Speed is a horse who is just plain tired. He’s been a work-horse all his life and done what everyone had always told him to do. At sixteen hands this ‘old man’ is rather large, and his best friend is a young girl who wants nothing more than to stop him from being put down the next day. Speed is headed for the final frontier in the morning, and although his owners are not trying to be mean, Hattie knows that it’s just not fair. Speed is not ill, or in pain, and he deserves to have at least one moment where he can run across a pasture and be free.
Hattie Wyatt and her friend Delores head for the road. Delores is a nice girl that Hattie met when they took their GED classes together. Although Hattie is only ‘escaping’ for a while, Delores comes from a much harsher climate - living with a mother who’s far more interested in her newest boyfriend then she is in her daughter. Delores has been asked to leave by Mom, and she has no idea where her journey will end. Hattie has stuck by Delores for a few years now, dealing with her sudden mood changes and helping her through the suicidal thoughts and deeds that are a part of Delores’s life. The one thing that Delores and Speed have in common is the fact that they both want to roam - far away from the people who have treated them as servants.
Stealing a trailer, Delores and Hattie sneak into the stable and load up Speed. Setting off across the country, they meet everything from kind waitresses at 4:00 am to jerks on ATV’s who want to scare them; they see everything from Wisconsin drivers wearing hats that look like cheese (Go, Packers!) to a wonderful lady who truly wishes Speed were her very own.
Between the beautiful, bold story of true and utter friendship to the stunning locales and the history that is given throughout regarding various horse breeds, the author has done a lovely job of putting together a story that is truly beautiful. For anyone who wishes to roam, or to somehow find that pasture where they can run and be free, this is the book you don’t want to miss.
Until Next Time, Everybody,
Amy
Speed is a horse who is just plain tired. He’s been a work-horse all his life and done what everyone had always told him to do. At sixteen hands this ‘old man’ is rather large, and his best friend is a young girl who wants nothing more than to stop him from being put down the next day. Speed is headed for the final frontier in the morning, and although his owners are not trying to be mean, Hattie knows that it’s just not fair. Speed is not ill, or in pain, and he deserves to have at least one moment where he can run across a pasture and be free.
Hattie Wyatt and her friend Delores head for the road. Delores is a nice girl that Hattie met when they took their GED classes together. Although Hattie is only ‘escaping’ for a while, Delores comes from a much harsher climate - living with a mother who’s far more interested in her newest boyfriend then she is in her daughter. Delores has been asked to leave by Mom, and she has no idea where her journey will end. Hattie has stuck by Delores for a few years now, dealing with her sudden mood changes and helping her through the suicidal thoughts and deeds that are a part of Delores’s life. The one thing that Delores and Speed have in common is the fact that they both want to roam - far away from the people who have treated them as servants.
Stealing a trailer, Delores and Hattie sneak into the stable and load up Speed. Setting off across the country, they meet everything from kind waitresses at 4:00 am to jerks on ATV’s who want to scare them; they see everything from Wisconsin drivers wearing hats that look like cheese (Go, Packers!) to a wonderful lady who truly wishes Speed were her very own.
Between the beautiful, bold story of true and utter friendship to the stunning locales and the history that is given throughout regarding various horse breeds, the author has done a lovely job of putting together a story that is truly beautiful. For anyone who wishes to roam, or to somehow find that pasture where they can run and be free, this is the book you don’t want to miss.
Until Next Time, Everybody,
Amy
April 20, 2020
I was okay with this one, but had to stop in the middle. I stopped when all the comments became worse. I thought I could deal with it, but as a 13 year old, it was totally inappropriate. On top of that it looked fine and my mom gave it to me. I am doing a book group with me and my best friend and this was one of the books. PLEASE GIVE US SOME WARNING. I had so much faith this one was going to be fine, so much that I didn't look at parent reviews on this one. DO NOT READ UNTIL HIGH SCHOOL.
August 28, 2016
a really nice story of friendship and horses for a younger audience. it would have been my favorite book had i read it when i was younger!
January 26, 2012
What a lovely book! Two teenage girls and an elderly horse on a road trip from the mountains of New Hampshire to the prairies of the west. The horse, Speed, is about to be put down, and 16-year-old Hattie steals him from her employers in order to save his life. Not very good judgement, perhaps, but believable - these are teenagers.
As with "Small as an Elephant", this book was brief, clear, and felt very real. The strongest aspect of it was Hattie's bond with Speed, her pity for his life of drudgery, and what that said about this young girl's soul. Mr. Monniger wrote all his characters - both human and horse - with truthfulness and respect, and his prose was often lovely. The ending was bittersweet and brought tears to my eyes.
As with "Small as an Elephant", this book was brief, clear, and felt very real. The strongest aspect of it was Hattie's bond with Speed, her pity for his life of drudgery, and what that said about this young girl's soul. Mr. Monniger wrote all his characters - both human and horse - with truthfulness and respect, and his prose was often lovely. The ending was bittersweet and brought tears to my eyes.
April 21, 2013
I didn't like this book very much. I picked it up randomly in a mystery bag, so I didn't know what I was reading. It was easy, and it didn't really hold my attention. I read two other books that were more interesting during the time I was reading this. I wasn't attached to it enough to want to read only it.
I also didn't get the title. "Finding Somewhere" is so vague that it didn't tell me anything about the book. I think it should have been called something like "Speed's Last Adventure" or "Hattie, Delores, and Speed's U.S. Adventure". Something interesting. They are finding something somewhere. Huh? Not worth recommending.
I also didn't get the title. "Finding Somewhere" is so vague that it didn't tell me anything about the book. I think it should have been called something like "Speed's Last Adventure" or "Hattie, Delores, and Speed's U.S. Adventure". Something interesting. They are finding something somewhere. Huh? Not worth recommending.
February 20, 2012
A good, easy and enjoyable read. Two girls run away from home to search for where they belong.
August 4, 2012
This was a beautiful book. It made me wish I had a horse or at least more contact with horses. What beautiful animals! I really like the way the author wrote and describes people and situations.
So, let's see. The two main characters are girls, best friends. I believe one is eighteen and the other sixteen. They grew up in New Hampshire, both to single mothers. They seem to be from lower income families, and they both have gotten their GED. And they both love horses. One struggles from (and it's never actually labeled, but this is what is sounds like to me) depression, and she has engaged in some self destructive behaviors in the past. Her mother is not very loving. The other has a loving mother.
The descriptions of the Fergusons throughout the book was interesting. Spoiled, ignorant rich people? Caring? Selfish? Understanding? It depends on who you ask; you never actually meet them. And that was interesting to me. Your opinion of someone is just that—an opinion. It was an interesting discussion of the elite.
The SPAM museum was pretty funny.
Everything was interesting really. The different people they meet on their journey. Their parents' reactions. The places they stop. They journey they're on.
It is very cool to know there are places like that for horses today.
This is a clean read. I don't remember any swearing. Although if your teenager does read it, you should know the main characters in this novel save up money and leave home for a month or so, and only tell their mothers after they have left.
"She wore about a dozen friendship bracelets that people had given her, and whenever she reached up to touch Speed, her wrists flashed braided strings. She always liked little things like that, and she reminded me of a Christmas tree sometimes, only a tree in a household that didn't have much, a tree that had to be decorated with popcorn strings and clothespin animals rather than fancy crystal balls and soft white lights. There was always a little something 'make-do' about Delores, something thrift-store and sub-retail, and that wouldn't have been bad except you could tell it sometimes got to her and made her self-conscious and lonely in her head."
"'You know it's weird,' Delores said, twisting open the orange soda. 'All the times you think about your dad getting in touch . . . you have these fantasies. You figure he'll ride up one day and say what a mistake he made to ignore you all these years, then take you out and buy you beautiful clothes and a new car or something, and he'll tell you he's really rich and he wants you to come live with him, and he has no other kids, you know, all that stuff. And he'll have some great explanation about why he wasn't in touch, and it will make sense, and you will know, viola, that was the reason all along. Everything clicks into place.'
'But it's not like that,' I said. 'It's never like that. Whenever I see my dad, it's just this guy who's supposed to be more to me than he is. It's never what you think it will be.'"
"Punch reached over and took my hand.
Just like that.
I didn't look at him, but I didn't move my hand from his. I felt such a commotion in my stomach and guts that I thought for a second I might have to put my head down between my knees and breathe steadily.
Delores said, 'Blah, blah, blah, blah,' and I had no idea what she said, but when she turned around to catch my eye, she flashed down to our hands sitting between us, and she turned right back around as though she had seen a snake. But I liked the way my hand felt in his, and I liked his hand It felt as tough as rope, and dry and quiet. He didn't flex his fingers, or do anything stupid, or try to send me secret messages. He simply held my hand, and it felt like the world had become less empty by his doing it. You wondered why people didn't always hold hands, even if they had just met."
"Expectation is the enemy of serenity."
"'I think,' I said my forehead close to Speed's, 'Speed gets to me because he never fought back. Whatever anyone wanted from him, he gave. And he didn't complain and he did it year after year. I don't know. Somewhere along the line someone has to acknowledge that. He was a gentle, kind creature and he deserves a rest. I wanted him to be a horse, but maybe in some way he was more of a horse than a thousand stallions out on a prairie. Think of all the children he carried on his back, the joy he gave them, and he never asked for anything himself. He never would have thought to ask for anything, so I have to ask for him. Day in, day out, he showed patience to everyone. I love him for that. He taught me that.'"
"I know it sounds crazy, but I saw them in my heart before I saw them on the sloping grade above us. Their hooves made a deep pounding sound, and a second later they appeared. Dolores reached over and grabbed my arm and we sat frozen and watched them come. A herd of horses, all stirring up grass and dust and slobber. They ran right at us, flinging themselves along the ground, a few prideful males out on the flanks, ears flexing, tails up, hooves gouging the dirt. No halters, I realized. No anything. They ran naked and pure, a blend of muscle and hair and sound, and I felt my heart lift in my chest and nearly burst. Delores pulled over and jammed the truck into park and jumped out. I did, too. I couldn't help running back to the trailer and yelling for Speed to come look, and I bawled like an idiot, my chest heaving and unable to catch air. 'That's who you are,' I whispered to Speed. 'That's a true horse.'"
So, let's see. The two main characters are girls, best friends. I believe one is eighteen and the other sixteen. They grew up in New Hampshire, both to single mothers. They seem to be from lower income families, and they both have gotten their GED. And they both love horses. One struggles from (and it's never actually labeled, but this is what is sounds like to me) depression, and she has engaged in some self destructive behaviors in the past. Her mother is not very loving. The other has a loving mother.
The descriptions of the Fergusons throughout the book was interesting. Spoiled, ignorant rich people? Caring? Selfish? Understanding? It depends on who you ask; you never actually meet them. And that was interesting to me. Your opinion of someone is just that—an opinion. It was an interesting discussion of the elite.
The SPAM museum was pretty funny.
Everything was interesting really. The different people they meet on their journey. Their parents' reactions. The places they stop. They journey they're on.
It is very cool to know there are places like that for horses today.
This is a clean read. I don't remember any swearing. Although if your teenager does read it, you should know the main characters in this novel save up money and leave home for a month or so, and only tell their mothers after they have left.
"She wore about a dozen friendship bracelets that people had given her, and whenever she reached up to touch Speed, her wrists flashed braided strings. She always liked little things like that, and she reminded me of a Christmas tree sometimes, only a tree in a household that didn't have much, a tree that had to be decorated with popcorn strings and clothespin animals rather than fancy crystal balls and soft white lights. There was always a little something 'make-do' about Delores, something thrift-store and sub-retail, and that wouldn't have been bad except you could tell it sometimes got to her and made her self-conscious and lonely in her head."
"'You know it's weird,' Delores said, twisting open the orange soda. 'All the times you think about your dad getting in touch . . . you have these fantasies. You figure he'll ride up one day and say what a mistake he made to ignore you all these years, then take you out and buy you beautiful clothes and a new car or something, and he'll tell you he's really rich and he wants you to come live with him, and he has no other kids, you know, all that stuff. And he'll have some great explanation about why he wasn't in touch, and it will make sense, and you will know, viola, that was the reason all along. Everything clicks into place.'
'But it's not like that,' I said. 'It's never like that. Whenever I see my dad, it's just this guy who's supposed to be more to me than he is. It's never what you think it will be.'"
"Punch reached over and took my hand.
Just like that.
I didn't look at him, but I didn't move my hand from his. I felt such a commotion in my stomach and guts that I thought for a second I might have to put my head down between my knees and breathe steadily.
Delores said, 'Blah, blah, blah, blah,' and I had no idea what she said, but when she turned around to catch my eye, she flashed down to our hands sitting between us, and she turned right back around as though she had seen a snake. But I liked the way my hand felt in his, and I liked his hand It felt as tough as rope, and dry and quiet. He didn't flex his fingers, or do anything stupid, or try to send me secret messages. He simply held my hand, and it felt like the world had become less empty by his doing it. You wondered why people didn't always hold hands, even if they had just met."
"Expectation is the enemy of serenity."
"'I think,' I said my forehead close to Speed's, 'Speed gets to me because he never fought back. Whatever anyone wanted from him, he gave. And he didn't complain and he did it year after year. I don't know. Somewhere along the line someone has to acknowledge that. He was a gentle, kind creature and he deserves a rest. I wanted him to be a horse, but maybe in some way he was more of a horse than a thousand stallions out on a prairie. Think of all the children he carried on his back, the joy he gave them, and he never asked for anything himself. He never would have thought to ask for anything, so I have to ask for him. Day in, day out, he showed patience to everyone. I love him for that. He taught me that.'"
"I know it sounds crazy, but I saw them in my heart before I saw them on the sloping grade above us. Their hooves made a deep pounding sound, and a second later they appeared. Dolores reached over and grabbed my arm and we sat frozen and watched them come. A herd of horses, all stirring up grass and dust and slobber. They ran right at us, flinging themselves along the ground, a few prideful males out on the flanks, ears flexing, tails up, hooves gouging the dirt. No halters, I realized. No anything. They ran naked and pure, a blend of muscle and hair and sound, and I felt my heart lift in my chest and nearly burst. Delores pulled over and jammed the truck into park and jumped out. I did, too. I couldn't help running back to the trailer and yelling for Speed to come look, and I bawled like an idiot, my chest heaving and unable to catch air. 'That's who you are,' I whispered to Speed. 'That's a true horse.'"
April 25, 2018
This was a cute contemporary story with characters that contained passion, strength, and love. I would recommend this to anyone to enjoys contemporary and loves horses. The reason this was two stars for me was just from personal taste. I am not a real horse person and don't share that passion. I was not attached to the characters.
CUTE and easy read.
CUTE and easy read.
April 25, 2019
This book was pretty short and pretty focused on giving just a glimpse into the lives of these two best friends and their decision to steal a horse and what lead them to that point. It definitely added to my desire to ride a horse, but the end kind of took the love of horses and 'feeling them even though they are gone' to whole different level...
May 28, 2021
Au début, c'était chouette mais au fur et à mesure tu avance dans le roman, ça se dégrade au point de vue d'un homme comme lecteur.
Il était fatigant dès le 4ème chapitre.
Par contre, ça parle au fentasme féminin. Si tu es quelqu'un féminin, je te recommande fortement ce bouquin mais si tu es le sexe opposé, fuis la librairie tout de suite.
Il était fatigant dès le 4ème chapitre.
Par contre, ça parle au fentasme féminin. Si tu es quelqu'un féminin, je te recommande fortement ce bouquin mais si tu es le sexe opposé, fuis la librairie tout de suite.
April 25, 2023
excellent read for horse lovers
Joseph captures the heart of a true horse lover and the thrill of riding as a teenager. It reminded me of the freedom I felt on my horse, along with the peace and contentment that you experience with an animal who has let you love them and bond with them.
Joseph captures the heart of a true horse lover and the thrill of riding as a teenager. It reminded me of the freedom I felt on my horse, along with the peace and contentment that you experience with an animal who has let you love them and bond with them.
May 9, 2019
Real. Thoughtful. A jewel of a book in a small package. Hattie and Delores both wise beyond their ages while at the same time terribly young and hopeful. But, for one momentous week, they were " women going west", and even the most mundane moments were spectacular through Hattie's eyes.
August 20, 2018
Un roman jeunesse qui m'a fait du bien. Une histoire simple et touchante de deux adolescentes bien décidées à offrir quelques instants de liberté à un cheval promis à l'abattoir.
July 10, 2019
Super easy read. Not overwhelmingly deep, but it was just what I was looking for. A great summer read and some very nice/sweet quotes throughout the novel.
I enjoyed it!
I enjoyed it!
August 14, 2021
This Book was so good and so sad, I almost wanted to cry when I finished it.
September 20, 2021
Two teenage girls decide to break some rules. Hattie works with horses. One is supposed to be put down. She feels that Speed deserves one last hurrah. The story is how her decision plays out.
August 27, 2024
The first 3/4 of the book dragged for me. The characters seemed far too immature to plan and carry out their mission. The last quarter of the book, with a few new characters, was redeeming.
October 3, 2015
I didn't have the highest expectations of this book - I read it only because I'm trying to read as many books about road trips as I can - but I still found myself disappointed in this book, and it's hard to explain why I disliked it so much. The characters aren't horrible - Delores was annoying but believably so and at least had some good qualities. I liked the idea that they wanted to give Speed a chance to "be a horse" for once in his life. I liked how Speed was similar to many people - doing whatever others want without ever asking for anything for himself.
I just didn't like the book itself. A big part of the problem was that this book felt like it was meant for a really young audience - and maybe it was. It was in the YA section, but I'm not sure if where my library puts middle grade books. The simple language the characters use seems like it was meant for middle grade readers. And they kept using words like "nutters" and other things like that, phrases I've never heard people actually use. It just didn't ring true for me.
The book also seemed really old, like it was written in the 80s or something (minus the cell phone). This wouldn't have been horrible if it had been, but it was written in like 2012 or something. I can't explain why it seemed so old to me, but it did. The layout, the language, everything just seemed like the book was out of date, and not in the charming way outdated books usually feel to me.
Then there's also the fact that not much happens. I was expecting deep talks or realizations, but there weren't really any of that. There didn't seem to be a deeper reason why they were traveling, except for the fact that Delores's mom doesn't want her, but they tell you that in the first chapter. The worst thing that happens to them on the trip is
All told, this book was pretty boring. I've reread middle grade books before and enjoyed them, so I don't think "I'm too old for this book" is a valid reason for my not having liked it. I can't even work up any strong feelings against it. It was just a boring book with boring characters, one that I probably won't remember for much longer.
I just didn't like the book itself. A big part of the problem was that this book felt like it was meant for a really young audience - and maybe it was. It was in the YA section, but I'm not sure if where my library puts middle grade books. The simple language the characters use seems like it was meant for middle grade readers. And they kept using words like "nutters" and other things like that, phrases I've never heard people actually use. It just didn't ring true for me.
The book also seemed really old, like it was written in the 80s or something (minus the cell phone). This wouldn't have been horrible if it had been, but it was written in like 2012 or something. I can't explain why it seemed so old to me, but it did. The layout, the language, everything just seemed like the book was out of date, and not in the charming way outdated books usually feel to me.
Then there's also the fact that not much happens. I was expecting deep talks or realizations, but there weren't really any of that. There didn't seem to be a deeper reason why they were traveling, except for the fact that Delores's mom doesn't want her, but they tell you that in the first chapter. The worst thing that happens to them on the trip is
All told, this book was pretty boring. I've reread middle grade books before and enjoyed them, so I don't think "I'm too old for this book" is a valid reason for my not having liked it. I can't even work up any strong feelings against it. It was just a boring book with boring characters, one that I probably won't remember for much longer.
December 31, 2011
Originally published at: www.apatchworkofbooks.com
Hattie loves horses. She's grown up around them and now works at a stable in her free time and feels completely alive while she's there, especially when spending time with her favorite horse, Speed. When the owners of the stable decide that the elderly horse needs to be put down, Hattie knows she can't allow that to happen.
Hattie and her best friend Delores, a girl with serious problems of her own, set off on one unique road trip. Mission? Set Speed free and allow him to be a real horse for whatever time he has left. They meet several different people along the way, horse lovers themselves, each taking a place in Speed's ultimate story and in the girl's lives.
I LOVED the writing. Not really a "horse book" person, I wasn't sure how into the story I would get, but the emotion just pours off the page. It's one of those books that just oozes heart and I'm a sucker for those. You know instantly that Hattie isn't simply some crazy kid determined to have an adventure, but that she wants the best thing for a horse that has given her so much. She's also fairly realistic, a quality I appreciated, and realizes that Speed is elderly and knows she's taking a big risk for the possibility of a very small amount of time for him.
Not just a horse story, each of these girls are dealing with some serious personal demons, adding to the reasons that neither were sad to leave home. Those "issues" are blended seamlessly into the road trip/horse plot and left me loving both girls and wanting to see them both succeed in what they set out for.
I would hand this to those who love horse books, but are a bit more mature and ready to deal with the tough subjects discussed between Hattie and Delores. Obviously, non-horse lovers are also able to enjoy the story, myself being a prime example, especially if a great character-driven novel is what you're after.
Hattie loves horses. She's grown up around them and now works at a stable in her free time and feels completely alive while she's there, especially when spending time with her favorite horse, Speed. When the owners of the stable decide that the elderly horse needs to be put down, Hattie knows she can't allow that to happen.
Hattie and her best friend Delores, a girl with serious problems of her own, set off on one unique road trip. Mission? Set Speed free and allow him to be a real horse for whatever time he has left. They meet several different people along the way, horse lovers themselves, each taking a place in Speed's ultimate story and in the girl's lives.
I LOVED the writing. Not really a "horse book" person, I wasn't sure how into the story I would get, but the emotion just pours off the page. It's one of those books that just oozes heart and I'm a sucker for those. You know instantly that Hattie isn't simply some crazy kid determined to have an adventure, but that she wants the best thing for a horse that has given her so much. She's also fairly realistic, a quality I appreciated, and realizes that Speed is elderly and knows she's taking a big risk for the possibility of a very small amount of time for him.
Not just a horse story, each of these girls are dealing with some serious personal demons, adding to the reasons that neither were sad to leave home. Those "issues" are blended seamlessly into the road trip/horse plot and left me loving both girls and wanting to see them both succeed in what they set out for.
I would hand this to those who love horse books, but are a bit more mature and ready to deal with the tough subjects discussed between Hattie and Delores. Obviously, non-horse lovers are also able to enjoy the story, myself being a prime example, especially if a great character-driven novel is what you're after.
March 13, 2013
This was fantastic!
Two teen girls - 18, and 16, go on a roadtrip with an old horse. Speed was a pony at carnivals who led not such a great life. He is about to be put down by the now owners. Hattie,decides to steal with with her friend emotionally fragile friend Delores, and head West (from New Hampshire) to find a place to bring him where he can live his last days running (slowly as he is old) wild and die free. The girls also go on the road trip just for adventure. They are women going west! they tell themselves! And maybe they are really using the horse as an excuse for adventure and freedom themselves.
As much as this story is about a girls relationship with a horse, it is really about the relationship between these two teen girls finding themselves on the road. Their relationship is very realistic and very well down. The writing is really poignant and touching and the characters feel very real. Theres also some really interesting and dynamic characters they meet along the way. It's a simple story, told well. Great dialogue.
An animal lover would really love this. But so would any other realistic fiction readers! It's not sappy. It also feels like a story about small town girls that is very modern!
* Also, I love when male writer pulls off female friendship writing so well! Nice job Joseph Monninger.However, the cover is not helping this book AT ALL. It looks like fluffy chick lit romance. And really it has a lot more substance than that! Id even say there's some subtle feminism in this.
Notes- boys (cowboys), chewing tobacco,emotionally unstable/fragile/bipolar character (dolores) - otherwise totally clean. 6th grade up.
Two teen girls - 18, and 16, go on a roadtrip with an old horse. Speed was a pony at carnivals who led not such a great life. He is about to be put down by the now owners. Hattie,decides to steal with with her friend emotionally fragile friend Delores, and head West (from New Hampshire) to find a place to bring him where he can live his last days running (slowly as he is old) wild and die free. The girls also go on the road trip just for adventure. They are women going west! they tell themselves! And maybe they are really using the horse as an excuse for adventure and freedom themselves.
As much as this story is about a girls relationship with a horse, it is really about the relationship between these two teen girls finding themselves on the road. Their relationship is very realistic and very well down. The writing is really poignant and touching and the characters feel very real. Theres also some really interesting and dynamic characters they meet along the way. It's a simple story, told well. Great dialogue.
An animal lover would really love this. But so would any other realistic fiction readers! It's not sappy. It also feels like a story about small town girls that is very modern!
* Also, I love when male writer pulls off female friendship writing so well! Nice job Joseph Monninger.However, the cover is not helping this book AT ALL. It looks like fluffy chick lit romance. And really it has a lot more substance than that! Id even say there's some subtle feminism in this.
Notes- boys (cowboys), chewing tobacco,emotionally unstable/fragile/bipolar character (dolores) - otherwise totally clean. 6th grade up.
May 24, 2012
I adored this book, and the cover does not do it justice. Two girls, 16 and 18, steal an old horse, load him into a truck and trailer heading west, hoping to turn him loose on some rangeland somewhere. Bad idea, right? I believe this book was marketed as a YA, coming of age, road trip novel. That it is, but make no mistake, it's also a horse lover's novel, and I wish that the cover reflected that. There is much to be loved about the old horse named Speed, the decisions (good and bad) involved in his care, the interesting characters the two travelers meet on their way west. But the love of horses, and the effect that horses have on people, comes through clean and strong throughout the narrative, and there were several times I actually wept while reading it. Yeah, I'm a sap, but there are some special moments that fellow horse lovers will understand. Interestingly enough, I read another book by Joseph Monninger called Hippie Chick, which was about Manatees, a sea creature in Florida (with one of the worst covers imaginable) and I loved it also. Perhaps that's why they say "you can't judge a book by its cover." This is a long review, but I really liked this book, and think it deserves more recognition. Go find a copy, and see what you think.
November 7, 2011
Finding Somewhere is a nice book to read if you're in the mood for a quick, heartfelt story. It involves two odd friends, stealing a dying horse and a cross country road trip - all laced with romance, sadness and changes.
Hattie and Delores are great friends, but they are a really odd pairing. But they have one big thing in common, they are crazy about horses. Crazy enough to steal a horse that it about to be put down in hopes of giving it time, if only a day, to live life as a horse was meant to. Their adventure takes them to some strange places and through some rough patches, leaving the reader with quite an inspirational tale.
I would say if you're a horse lover, give this book a shot. I enjoyed this novel, but I don't have a connection to horses, which I felt would really make the story come to life. However, even if you're like me (no connection to horses at all) I'm sure you could find some piece of the story to relate to. Actually, I was getting FREAKED OUT by how similar Hattie and Delores are to me and my friend at times, like their general randomness, love of Redsox and tendency to speak french at odd times.
It was a nice read for me, but like I said, I feel others would have a stronger connection to it. So if it sound's interesting, go for it.
Hattie and Delores are great friends, but they are a really odd pairing. But they have one big thing in common, they are crazy about horses. Crazy enough to steal a horse that it about to be put down in hopes of giving it time, if only a day, to live life as a horse was meant to. Their adventure takes them to some strange places and through some rough patches, leaving the reader with quite an inspirational tale.
I would say if you're a horse lover, give this book a shot. I enjoyed this novel, but I don't have a connection to horses, which I felt would really make the story come to life. However, even if you're like me (no connection to horses at all) I'm sure you could find some piece of the story to relate to. Actually, I was getting FREAKED OUT by how similar Hattie and Delores are to me and my friend at times, like their general randomness, love of Redsox and tendency to speak french at odd times.
It was a nice read for me, but like I said, I feel others would have a stronger connection to it. So if it sound's interesting, go for it.
February 2, 2012
This was a fun book. I keep thinking there was little objectionalbe to it except that Hattie and Delores stole the horse, the truck, and the trailer. I was pleasantly surprised at how thought-provoking and insightful this book was. Hattie and Delores were both characters with whom I could connect and I could understand the desire to save Speed.
One of the reasons I picked up Finding Somewhere is because it looked like a short book and it was. I was disappointed that it ended so soon. The ending was well done, it's just that the entire book was well done.
I love the idea of Speed being a horse and running with the other horses. We can never know as humans if horses think that way, yet through our anthropomorphizing of them we can enjoy the feeling.
I would recommend this book to any student who is interested in horses and to girls in particular because both girls are capable and strong. If the reader can overlook the theft that begins the book, there is absolutely nothing objectionable in this book.
One of the reasons I picked up Finding Somewhere is because it looked like a short book and it was. I was disappointed that it ended so soon. The ending was well done, it's just that the entire book was well done.
I love the idea of Speed being a horse and running with the other horses. We can never know as humans if horses think that way, yet through our anthropomorphizing of them we can enjoy the feeling.
I would recommend this book to any student who is interested in horses and to girls in particular because both girls are capable and strong. If the reader can overlook the theft that begins the book, there is absolutely nothing objectionable in this book.
September 13, 2012
Hattie and Delores are "women heading west." When the barn where the two girls work has plans to put down old Speed before winter, Hattie gets it in her head bring Speed out to the plains so he can run and be a real horse before the end of his life. Delores steals a relative's trailer and off they go.
I thought there might be a bigger reason why Hattie and Delores took off in this dramatic fashion - there seems to be tension between Delores and her mom, and Hattie just got her GED at 16. But the girls plan to return home, and it's more of an adventure. They meet some interesting characters and the journey helps them both to figure out a direction for their lives. The little romance between Hattie and Punch was sweet. I definitely teared up at the very end , but I had been expecting that...
I thought there might be a bigger reason why Hattie and Delores took off in this dramatic fashion - there seems to be tension between Delores and her mom, and Hattie just got her GED at 16. But the girls plan to return home, and it's more of an adventure. They meet some interesting characters and the journey helps them both to figure out a direction for their lives. The little romance between Hattie and Punch was sweet. I definitely teared up at the very end , but I had been expecting that...
November 15, 2015
"I wanted Speed to run once,just once, to head off free for the first time in his life. For an instant he looked like he might do it. His posture grew and he shook his head, but as quickly as it had come, it left him.. . he shrunk back to being an old horse." For me this passage was not only about the horse who had spent his life confined to a pony track for children, but also about any creature whose potential is reduced to being an instrument in someone else's project.
That for me was the most touching moment in the story of this 16 yr. old girl, who loves this particular horse and who does her utmost to give him a better life at the end of his life.
The book is for teen age girls who love animals, especially horses. I read it because I thought it might be a good read my granddaughter, who loves horses.
That for me was the most touching moment in the story of this 16 yr. old girl, who loves this particular horse and who does her utmost to give him a better life at the end of his life.
The book is for teen age girls who love animals, especially horses. I read it because I thought it might be a good read my granddaughter, who loves horses.
March 13, 2016
Having read two other books by Monninger, Eternal on the Water and The World as We Know It, and enjoyed his stories, characters, dialog and lyrical descriptions of place, I was pretty sure this book would also be good. It was a quiet treasure. While written, I think, for young adults it was enjoyable as an adult tale too. The tender and sometimes tentative or confused feelings of teenagers, about their responsibility to their aging horse, their parents, their friends and brief boyfriend interests, are given the respect they deserve and the time and space to fully develop their expression. The thrill the girls share of horses, riding and living as a free being feels genuine and right.
September 14, 2013
It was sweetly poetic about the love we feel for horses. I remember it (that feeling) so well! I especially loved the chapter containing the midnight ride...on someone else's horses...sans saddles or bridles or anything! Crazy fun! Yes, there was sadness and a heavy dose of reality, but this is a book I am glad I read. I almost passed it up, but decided to give it a try. It reminded me how special horses are and how much they contribute to our lives, simply by living theirs and being themselves.
July 23, 2016
Two teenage girls pack up a horse and go on a road-trip cross country to find a place where their beloved horse can just be free. A trip that began as a means of freeing a horse turns into a story of friendship and self discover. Slow at times, I still found myself envious of the girls and their ability to just pick up and go. And while, two young girls on a trip across country has the potential of being dark and abusive, this tale avoided these terrible events and was a more refreshing read because of it. This was an easy realistic fiction that kept me engaged throughout.
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