BEA AND THE NEW DEAL HORSE

After being abandoned by her father in the midst of the Great Depression, Bea must tame a hot-tempered horse and enter him into a prize show in order to save her new home.

"My darling Beatrice and Vivian, I'm sure Mrs. Scott will take you in and take care of you, the way I cannot. I do this because I love you."
Bea wakes to Daddy's note in a hayloft, where he abandoned her with her little sister after the Stock Market Crash took everything: Daddy's job at the bank, their home, Mama's health and life.

How is Bea supposed to convince the imposing Mrs. Scott to take in two stray children? Mrs. Scott's money and Virginia farm are drying up in a drought, and the Great Depression, too. She might have to sell her beautiful horses, starting with the dangerous chestnut that has caused tragedy in the past and injures her stableman shortly after Bea arrives.

But wrestliing with her own hurts and fears, Bea understands the chestnut's skittish distrust. She sees hope in the powerful jumper - if he can compete at horse shows, they might save the farm, and maybe Bea can even win a place in Mrs. Scott's heart.

From award-winning author L.M. Elliott comes the moving tale of new hope in the face of catastrophe, found family, and the magical partnership between girl and horse.

L. M. Elliott was an award-winning Washington-based magazine journalist, covering women's issues, mental health, and the performing arts, before becoming a New York Times best-selling author of historical and biographical fiction. Her novels explore a variety of eras (the Italian Renaissance, the American Revolutionary War, WWII, and the Cold War), and are written for a variety of ages. Many of her works have been named NCSS/CBC Notables (National Council of Social Studies and Children's Book Council), Bank Street College Best Books, Jefferson Cup Honor Books, Kirkus Bests, and Grateful American Book Prize winners.