A contemporary and irresistible story from Patricia Reilly Giff
Lidie lives in Jales, Brazil, where she’s free to ride, to be a wild girl, and to dream of going to live with her father and older brother, Rafael, in New York City. Finally Lidie is 12—time to leave Brazil for New York.
Meanwhile, a filly is born and begins her journey to a new home. As Lidie’s story unfolds, so does the filly’s.
Lidie’s father runs a stable at a famous race track, and Rafael is training to be a jockey. As much as they want to make Lidie feel welcome, they still think of her as the little girl they left behind. They don’t even know what a strong rider she is, and that she’s determined to befriend and ride the wild filly her father has just bought: Wild Girl.
From the Hardcover edition.
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"This book shows the passion of a true horseman or horsewoman. A young girl is forced to leave her home in Brazil to move to the big city in New York. This book was great and I rercomend it to all who have ever had to leave something you love. Great job Patrica Giff! "
— Ashley (4 out of 5 stars)
Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews, July 15, 2009:“Giff’s characters are beautifully nuanced and entirely real, her prose is as streamlined and efficient as a galloping Thoroughbred.”
" The book Wild Girl is a good vacation book, or if you like horses. It is about a girl who's father(pai) moved to America, the girl (Lidia) rode a horse every day, and is happy to find her dad works in a horse stall, she is disappointed when they send for her, to find her dad and her brother treat her like the 7 year old they left behind. Find out what happens next in the book Wild Girl. "
— NewFranklin, 2/11/2014" Fast easy read. Cute story about a girl being reunited with her father and brother in America. "
— Kimdewitt, 2/3/2014" My daughter's book that I picked up when she wasn't reading it. Story of a Brazilian tween who moves to the US to live with her her father, a horse trainer. Daughter loved it. It was a bit too young for me though. "
— Rachel, 2/1/2014" This book was fine. I LOVE Patricia Reilly Giff and I don't think this was her best book I've ever read, but it wasn't terrible. It was just... fine. "
— Amber, 1/29/2014" While this book will certainly attract tween horsey girls, this book gives a nice perspective on a modern immigrant experience of a 12-year old girl who moves from Brazil to New York. Click here for my full review. "
— Tricia, 1/28/2014" This book has a nice story. Girls looking to read a horse story will love this book. "
— Jennifer, 1/24/2014" I liked this story of a girl from Brazil adjusting to a new life in the area surrounding New York City, despite a lack of action to drive the plot. Certainly her story and struggle to adjust to her new life, and to an older brother and father who remember her as a little girl they left 4 years ago is engaging. The story ends up neat and clean and she has a solid personality. The subplot with horses will captivate some readers. My only qualm seems to be that in general there was a lot more reflection than action, which 10-12 year olds might struggle with. "
— Brynn, 1/20/2014" A bit slow-paced for children who need to be engaged in the few pages of a novel. This title is, nonetheless, well-written and a pleasant read. "
— Mare, 1/19/2014" It is in a different language. "
— Catherine, 11/7/2013" This book is very amazing I keep trying to repeat the story in my mind "
— Alyssa, 10/20/2013" The style of this book going back and forth from the girl's perspective to the horse's reminded me of The Underneath by Kathi Appelt. I liked this book and enjoyed learning a bit about the jockey's role in horse racing. "
— Leslie, 9/10/2013" The only thing I didn't like about this book is it almost seemed like a shortened version of a -real- book. It seemed like a long short story, with so many possibilities for more plot and character development. Just frustrating in that way. "
— Sara, 8/28/2013" It was okay for a younger reader, but as an adult I found it to brief to really feel involved. I think some students might like the story, but not one I would recommend to the typical student. "
— Catharine, 7/23/2013" I did not like this book because it went from the girl pov to the hore pov alot in like almot every chapter. "
— Cat, 7/13/2013" This book was great it was about an amazing young woman with a passion and spirit and horses. Everything is going great until she is called to go to New York to her dad and brother. Nothing goes well there either......until she finds her perfect match. WILD GIRL. "
— ♥Meaty♥, 1/26/2013" Horses/horse books don't do much for me. Still, I liked the narrator of this one, and it's a nice feel-good tale... "
— Andy, 12/10/2012" Good YA read about a girl and a horse both lonely and dislocated from their homes. Through bonding they both grow and become comfortable in their new homes. "
— Helen, 6/24/2012" A cute story, if nothing else. Horse plot lines are a bit old, but I enjoyed this book to some extent. Interesting perspectives and overall a very quick, fun read. The emotions of this story were the highlight. "
— Claire, 2/15/2012" Quick read. This is a good one to pass along to girls - especially those who love stories about animals. "
— Jodi, 1/28/2012" I adored this story about a fierce young girl learning to live, love, and be in a New World. "
— Jewell, 1/8/2012" I really like the characters in this story "
— Nia, 10/16/2011" I really felt the main character's passion for horses, and it made me enjoy this book so much. The main character's reluctance to speak drove me a bit insane at the start, but it was worth it in the end. "
— Stacey, 10/10/2011" Very readable, vividly written, fast moving story. I liked the aspects of Brazilian culture presented and the horse barn setting. It reminded me of Marguerite Henry's books, only more up-to-date. "
— Chris, 9/27/2011" It was such a sweet book. I wish it had been a little longer, but I loved the issues of family and identity that were raised in the book. I also liked how the lives of the little girl and the horse were somewhat parallel. "
— Heather, 6/24/2011" This was exciting because there was a lot of adventure and horses. I personally like horses so this was extra fun for me to read! "
— Dondero, 5/2/2011" My daughter's book that I picked up when she wasn't reading it. Story of a Brazilian tween who moves to the US to live with her her father, a horse trainer. Daughter loved it. It was a bit too young for me though. "
— Rachel, 4/22/2011" Listened to this in the car. Sweet little book. "
— LaDawn, 4/17/2011" I probably would have liked this book better if I was more of a horse lover. "
— Victoria, 4/7/2011" not too excting but real good "
— Lucky, 4/4/2011" Lidie has been waiting many years to leave Brazil to go live with her brother and father in America, where they train and race horses. Wild Girl is horse that is purchased for their stables. Together Lidie and Wild Girl must learn hot to adapt in a strange new place. <br/> "
— Terrie, 4/3/2011" This was a quick, fun read recommended by my 11 year old. (Love it that she is recommending books to me- so fun!) It's a good tween book and I might read it aloud to my 6 year old horse fanatic. "
— Joann, 3/30/2011" AWESOME THE BEST BOOK EEVVEERR!! "
— Savannah, 3/24/2011" I am a fan of Giff and this book, despite its boring (to me) cover and premise, was well-written. Definitely a recommendation for the many horse fans, who might be looking to branch out into chapter books. "
— Mr., 1/20/2011Patricia Reilly Giff is the author of many beloved books for children, including the Newbery Honor books Lily’s Crossing and Pictures of Hollis Woods. She lives in Trumbull, Connecticut.
Justine Eyre is a classically trained actress who has narrated many audiobooks, earning the prestigious Audie Award for best narration and numerous Earphones Awards. She is multilingual and known for her great facility with accents. She has appeared on stage, with leading roles in King Lear and The Crucible, and has had starring roles in four films on the indie circuit. Her television credits include Two and a Half Men and Mad Men.