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Reaching for the Reins
Reaching for the Reins
by Lou Dean
Fifteen-year-old CJ, while trying to adjust to her parents' recent divorce, must face the reality that the boy she loves has been involved in a school shooting. She gets on her horse, takes her dog and runs away from home to come to terms with the tragedy.
This young adult novel won a Top Hand Award for young adult fiction in 2001 from the Colorado Authors' League.
Excerpt from Chapter Twelve:
"This book encompasses many issues which are compelling and timely for teens. Parents of teenagers might find reading this book helpful for understanding those young people behind the piercings, tattoos, long hair and loud music."
It was then I got the tattoo. I cropped my shoulder-length hair into a buzz and dyed it purple. I felt dirty, battered and unnecessary. I wanted to die.
Dad loaded me into the car and took me to Pa Pa. On the drive he said, "Connie Jean, you are out of control."So when Pa Pa saddled the horses and we rode down to the river, I knew he'd been given the dubious task of lecturing me.
We dismounted and I waited. Pa Pa stood looking at me for the longest time, then sighed. "Well, let's see it."I smirked as I pulled my shirt off my shoulder revealing the tattoo.
A flash of amusement sparked in his old eyes. "Well, at least it's got something to do with ranching. Sort of."
I let my shirt slide back over my unicorn. "They can't make me do what they want anymore. I'm sick of them both."
