Bobby Lassiter has some important secretsтАФbut itтАЩs not as if anyoneтАЩs paying attention. ItтАЩs the middle of the Depression, and while BobbyтАЩs mother and older sister knit all day to make money, Bobby explores the California desert around their home. ThatтАЩs how Bobby finds Boots. HeтАЩs under their one half-dead tree, halfdead himself. Right away heтАЩs a secret, tooтАФa secret to be fed and clothed and taken care of, and even more of a secret because of what he can do. Sometimes Boots is a man. Sometimes heтАЩs (really, truly) a horse. He and Bobby both know something about magicтАФand those who read this book will, too.
тАЬA wonderful story about a man who is a horse, and a boy who is a girlтАФabout fake magic and real loveтАФabout deaths that are part of living and the pain that pays for joy. I love it.тАЭтАФUrsula K. Le Guin