Horses have always held a fascination for people. Maybe it is the majestic way they run, or their beauty in the outdoors. A number of children’s authors have written wonderful horse stories, with Marguerite Henry and Anna Sewell being two famous examples. Many of these stories center on captive horses being trained on farms. Pam Munoz Ryan has drawn upon this rich tradition and has adapted it to a beautiful story of wild horses roaming across Wyoming. The name of this moving title is "Paint the Wind."
Artemisia lives with her paternal grandmother, Agnes Menetti, in a suburban home in Southern California. Mrs. Menetti is very particular about everything. Artemisia must get very good grades in school, always be punctual and never think any fanciful thoughts.
Artemisia is orphaned because her parents were killed in a terrible accident. Mrs. Menetti blames her son’s death on marrying a non-conventional woman. Artemisia’s mother was born and raised on a ranch in Wyoming and developed an immense interest in horse riding. The old woman believes horse riding is a foolish activity carried on by flippant people. Her son had wanted to be a painter, and in spite of his talents, Mrs. Menetti had driven those strange ideas from his head. He had become respectable as was fitting to his class.
All that Artemisia has left of her parents are a few pictures, and a box of toy horses. Every time she is caught playing with the horses, her grandmother punishes her and berates the memory of her deceased mother. But Artemisia loves these play horses and dreams of riding real horses.
To avoid her grandmother’s pestering, she becomes adept at lying and deception. However, one day her grandmother unexpectedly dies from a heart attack, and shortly after the funeral the young girl is sent to her grandfather in Wyoming. She has never met her mother’s family, as her grandmother has cunningly deceived them about Artemisia’s legal custody. After arriving in Wyoming, her grandfather soon takes Artemisia into the mountains with a herd of horses where she meets grandfather’s sister, Aunt Vi and his brother, Uncle Fig. In the wilderness, Aunt Vi begins teaching Artemisia the art of horseback riding. The girl is talented with horses and everyone agrees that she rides like her mother.
As she develops her riding skills, Artemisia also begins to learn about honesty. One lie she tells has a severe consequence, and Aunt Vi confronts her on this falsehood. The young girl begins to realize the result of being deceptive.
Aunt Vi shows Artemisia a herd of wild horses and she is enchanted by these magnificent animals. The young girl wants to chase the wild horses, but Aunt Vi always shields her. Artemisia is still headstrong and doesn’t want to follow orders. When she is left alone for a short time, she takes a horse and rides into the mountains on an adventure. There disaster strikes Artemisia and her beautiful horse. She must either grow up or die in the brutal wilderness.
What is this terrible event? Is Artemisia badly injured? What role does a mountain lion play in the story? Have you ever done something that was thoughtless? What happened? Do Artemisia and her horse ever make it back? To find out, read this fine novel, "Paint the Wind," by Pam Munoz Ryan.
Pam Ryan has written a terrific horse story. The climax is exciting and the main characters are well developed. The book is a well told rite of passage story. Artemisia is an undeveloped, dishonest narcissist at the beginning of the book. Her growth is remarkable as she learns the physical skills required for horsemanship and the personal qualities needed to become a caring person. Readers will readily identify with her and will enjoy the other characters in the book. Besides being a great horse story, this is a touching account of an immature young girl growing into a virtuous young woman. I read the book in one sitting and think you find it interesting as well.
