Wild Horses
2008, Darby Creek Publishing

Kirkus Reviews
Wild horses? Hmm-there's mustangs, right? Maybe zebras? Halls expands the topic considerably with this well-researched, well-organized and clearly written volume. She first tackles eohippus, the tiny "dawn horse"-clearly wild, as it existed before humankind-and traces how it developed into equus, the modern horse. From there she discusses the wild horses that exist today in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas, including fascinating asides on such topics as the healthy herd of Przewalski's horses living in the shadow of the Chernobyl nuclear plant, the ancient chalk Uffington horse in England and the actions taken to save the National Arabian Herd of Iraq. The text closes with a list of organizations that work to preserve wild horses. A thorough and useful volume. (bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 10 & up)
VOYA
Halls provides a good starting point for getting a basic overview about the history of wild horses. Although it went extinct about forty-five million years ago, fossil records indicate that the first prehistoric horse, Hyracotherium, only measured about eight inches high, or two hands (each hand equals four inches). As ancient horses evolved, their physical characteristics changed, their bodies becoming larger and four separate toes evolving into one single hoof. Cave paintings, rock art, and even a geoglyph (a large, etched image in the land) of ancient horses are discussed. Today's wild horses on different continents are summarized with their migration pattern, habitat, endangered status, and preservation efforts. Halls includes interview excerpts with an anthropologist and a zoologist, and notes parks and centers in North America where ancient fossils can be seen. Wild horses in North America were lost to extinction, but were reintroduced about ten thousand years ago. In the United States, they are mainly found in the western states and the barrier islands off the Atlantic Coast (which include the Chincoteague and Assateague mustangs). The last chapter stresses protecting the wild horses and ends with a list of programs and associations. The bibliography consists of an impressive array of interviews, articles, books, and Web sites. Because this title was read from an unbound review copy, it is difficult to determine if the book's look will lean toward the juvenile, but the information could appeal to budding anthropologists, zoologists, and just plain horse lovers. Reviewer: Jane Van Wiemokly
School Library Journal
This fascinating history covers animals from the nine-inch-tall Hyracotherium that existed millions of years ago to the wild horses that live today in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Whether showing the distinctive shape of the face of the Przewalski horse or the unique patterns on different zebra species, first-rate photos perfectly complement the informative and well-written narrative. Colorful illustrations of prehistoric horses, and descriptions of differences from modern horses in terms of their size and number of toes, will intrigue readers. Valuable facts are included about wild-horse sanctuaries and other organizations. A visual and informational blue-ribbon winner.-Carol Schene, formerly at Taunton Public Schools, MA
Children's Literature
The chapters of Halls' book provide excellent, brief synopses about the existence and evolution of horses in many different parts of the world, including North America. The first chapter introduces us to prehistoric horses, including Hyracotherium, Mesophippus, Merychippus, Pliohippus, and the more familiar Equis. Each of these horse breeds had their origins and history in North America. Due to many factors, including climate change and overhunting by early man, Equis was driven into extinction. Many thousands of years later, horses were reintroduced to the American continents, but the direct link with the prehistoric ancestors was lost forever. Successive chapters are dedicated to exploring horse breeds around the world. Each chapter expands on a particular horse breed of the region being mentioned. The most interesting is the Przewalski. This breed of horses is now roaming the devastated land that surrounds the infamous Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Unlike other animals that were living near the disaster zone at the time of explosion, the Przewalski horse is surviving in good health. With its last chapter, the book comes full circle, discussing wild horses of American. Vibrant color photographs in every chapter help add to text; many of the photos are action shots. Sidebars also provide additional information elaborating on the main text. The chapters have headings related to a specific horse subject (e.g., Horse of Arabia, Zebras, Wild Horses of Namibia). The appendix offers not only a bibliography and a list of websites for further study, but also a list of organizations and associations that are dedicated to a horse breeds, preservation and/or protection. This is an excellentbook for any horse lover or science class. It offers in-depth information without being overwhelming. Reviewer: Patrick Hunter
2011 NJLA Garden State Book Award Nominee/Nonfiction
2009 Junior Library Guild Selection