New editions of two young adult novels by Mary Casanova hit shelves this month.
According to a release from Casanova’s publisher, University of Minnesota Press, she is the author of more than 30 books, ranging from picture books to young adult novels. The new editions of “Stealing Thunder” and “When Eagles Fall,” are available now.
“Stealing Thunder” is a tale of a young girl’s desperate attempt to save the horse she loves.
The main character, Libby, wants a horse more than anything in the world, the release said. Since she is unable to have one of her own, she’s been doing stable chores for her neighbors in exchange for riding lessons.
Over time, Libby forms a special bond with an Appaloosa, “Thunder,” but a turn of events makes the arrangement “come crashing to an end,” and Libby isn’t allowed to see Thunder. Making matters worse, Libby learns her neighbor is taking out anger on animals.
With the help of a friend, Libby devises a plan to steal Thunder.
“When Eagles Fall” is an adventure story set in a nature setting of the north woods of Minnesota.
According to a release, Alex, a 13-year-old California girl, is sent away by her mother to spend the summer with her father, an esteemed eagle researcher, on Rainy Lake. The bugs, the outhouse, the isolation — it’s a whole new world for Alex.
The hardest part of Alex’s exile is dealing with her father, who is sure he knows it all. When he chooses not to save a pair of baby eagles whose nest is in peril, Alex sneaks off to help them anyway.
Her rescue effort goes wrong and one of the eaglets falls out of the nest, breaking a wing. Alex is alone with the helpless eagle facing fear, hunger and a bear. She quickly discovers it will take resources she never knew she had to keep herself and the bird alive.
