The Girl Who Rode the Wind

The Girl Who Rode the Wind follows 12-year-old Lola, who travels to Italy to stay with her grandmother in Siena. During her visit, she discovers her family's connection to the historic Palio horse race and begins training to compete in this centuries-old tradition. The narrative alternates between Lola's present-day story and her grandmother Loretta's experiences in 1940s Italy during World War II. The parallel tales center on two young girls and their relationships with horses, family secrets, and the Palio race that binds their stories together. The story incorporates authentic details about Siena's culture, the mechanics of the Palio, and Italian wartime history. Both timelines feature the unique dynamics between riders and their horses, while exploring the traditions that have shaped the city for generations. This multi-generational tale examines themes of courage, heritage, and the enduring bonds between family members across time. Through its dual narratives, the book considers how the past shapes the present and how traditions can bridge generational divides.

Readers appreciate the detailed historical elements about Italy during WWII and the Palio horse race traditions. Many note the book offers an engaging way for young readers to learn about these events through both modern and historical storylines. Reviewers highlight the authentic equestrian details and relationships between the characters and their horses. Multiple readers mention the value of the dual timeline narrative structure. Common criticisms focus on pacing issues in the first third of the book and some confusion switching between the two timelines. A few readers found the contemporary protagonist less compelling than the historical one. Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (216 ratings) Amazon UK: 4.7/5 (47 ratings) Amazon US: 4.5/5 (12 ratings) "The historical details and horse racing segments kept me turning pages" - Goodreads reviewer "Takes time to get going but worth pushing through" - Amazon reviewer "Perfect for horse-loving kids who enjoy history" - Goodreads reviewer

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🐎 The novel weaves together two parallel narratives: one set in modern-day Italy and another during World War II, both connected by the legendary Palio horse race of Siena. 🎨 Author Stacy Gregg traveled extensively through Tuscany to research the book, visiting the historic Contrade (districts) of Siena and witnessing the Palio firsthand. ⚔️ The Palio di Siena, featured prominently in the book, dates back to medieval times and is still run twice each summer, with riders representing different city districts competing bareback around Siena's main square. 🌟 Stacy Gregg has written over 30 horse-themed books for young readers, drawing from her experience as an equestrian journalist and lifelong passion for horses. 🏺 The book incorporates real historical events, including the story of how Sienese citizens worked together during WWII to protect their city's precious artworks from both Nazi looting and Allied bombing.