I just finished book #14 for this year…The Scorpio Races, by Maggie Stiefvater.
I had read a few reviews and knew I had to purchase it for my classroom.
What a gem of a book! I read it in three days!
The story centers around an annual ritual in which water horses, caught from the sea, are raced across the shore, handled by experienced and inexperienced men. The prize is a large purse of money and prestige.
Sean Kendrick is a four-time winner, vying for his fifth win. His motives run deeper than tangible rewards.
Puck Connolly is an orphaned young lady who enters the race to save her home.
I’m trying to put my finger on what makes this book so magical.
Part of it is the setting.
I’ve been on a few cruises, and I’ve seen a few tropical locations.
There’s a ethereal feel when you step on an island, and it was that connection that I felt when I read this book.
A thread of mystical power runs through this story.
Sean reminds me of the Horse Whisperer. His connection with the wild horses from the sea is intriguing and touching.
Puck is a strong female character who doesn’t wait for life to happen to her. She literally takes the reins in her hands to drive her own destiny. This is a theme my teenage charges need to read about.
I think what I loved most about this story was the constant pull between what one loves (in this case, the ocean) and what needs to be done, pragmatically. It’s a struggle I can identify with…that any reader will connect to.
I highly recommend this to anyone…middle school and above (it’s a good read for adults too).
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