The Ghost Wind Stallion: A Kaya Mystery (American Girl Beforever)

This is the best book of the new crop of three American Girl mysteries—but not as a mystery. Kaya's blind sister Speaking Rain chafes at her disability. She is tired of having to be led around and treated as if she is going to break. Plus she's begun having dreams in which a beautiful silver horse comes to her. Kaya is troubled by her sister's restlessness, and by the visit of her newly widowed aunt, who seems to have taken an instant dislike to her. Then, while she and Speaking Rain are investigating the horse herd, they see what appears to be a fabled Ghost Wind stallion, descendants of Russian horses that washed ashore from a wreck in the Pacific. It is the horse Speaking Rain has been dreaming about, and she believes that he has come to her to be hers and set her free. There is little mystery in the book (except for the disappearance of Tall Branch's horse), but the strength of this one is Speaking Rain's determination, Kaya's willingness to help her, and the bond between the two girls. Tall Branch's emotions after her husband's death and attitude toward Kaya is also handled sensitively. A great story about how people with disabilities often feel shunted off to the side and wish just to "fit in."

It's fantastic to see Kaya receiving a mystery book after there only being one for her. It covers new ground in terms of world-building and geography, a refreshing addition to her core series. Once again the immense care that AG has shown for her tribe shines through, well done AG. Story-wise it's more than the stereotypical "horse crazy girls saves a horse". She still struggles with overcoming her nickname, dealing with her sister's new family, and becoming the person her family believes she can be. Some elsewhere have commented that some of the adults act harshly or rudely towards Kaya and that's hardly the case. If anything reading it as a Native person it feels like coming home. Here is how you act towards your aunties, uncles, grandmothers or grandfathers. We have traditions that predate the founding of this country and I'm pleased to see AG is doing those respect. While at the same time connecting her with girls of today in a relatable way. Along with connecting her story with those stories of her people today. Hopefully, they'll give her another mystery book and not wait nearly ten years to do it.

This is by far the best representation of a disabled character that American Girl has ever produced. The other books in the series represent Speaking Rain as very dependent and primarily located stationary, in camp. This text shows her a true friend, sister, and active young girl alongside Kaya--not merely being rescued by her. I am so thankful that new Kaya author Emma Carlson Berne, who (according to her bio) has worked with disabled people, was able to bring a fresh perspective to this secondary character while still keeping the voice and essence of the previous Kaya texts alive. My only concern was the way in which sometimes Speaking Rain was a represented with senses seeming a little too heightened in ways that made her seem magical, potentially falling into the trope of the mystical Native person or the superpowered disabled person.

This book was so good! It kept me up at night reading until I fell asleep. I hated it when Speaking Rain had to be left behind when Kaya escaped, and I was so glad when she was back. I loved how she was a main character in this book instead of a side character like in the other books. Everything makes historical and literal sense and the end was so satisfying I had to read it again. Great job American Girl!

So thankful to find this on Amazon as American Girl has stopped selling it and it completes the great Kaya series. Written by a different author but still a good read for young girls (about 8 and older).

What a beautifully written book. I’m reading all of the kaya books to my 8 year old right now. We are both enjoying them so much.

I love the American Girl series (ever since I was a kid). I do wish that they hadn't changed to the BeForever. It just doesn't remind me of my childhood with the new design.

great book