• Age: 8 to 12
• Grade: 3 to 7

★ “A novel that will sink into readers’ bones….This is a wonderful, unique family survival story with a majestic herd of horses….Orr’s latest will delight middle grade readers searching for escape and home simultaneously.”—School Library Journal ★ Starred Review

The valley of horses has been a safe haven for Honey and her family for seven peaceful years, but this seemingly perfect valley has also become their prison. Trapped by a mysterious magic, and fearing for her father’s life, Honey is determined to find a way out of the valley of horses.

The valley of horses is the only true place Honey remembers since her family stumbled upon it in their converted ice cream truck while escaping from the rest of the world, and the illnesses that was spreading there. Honey’s parents, her brother Rumi, and her NanNan become self-sufficient, living off the land and sharing the valley with mystical horses who seem to have a wisdom of their own. But there is a magic in the valley that prevents Honey and her family from ever leaving. When Honey suspects her father has become ill, Honey knows she must find a way to escape the valley to find help from a world she only knows about through stories.

Wendy Orr, author of the award-winning Nim’s Island and Dragonfly Song, creates a magical land filled with awe and mystery. Showcasing the endurance of family, and the beauty of restoration and self-sufficiency, Orr crafts a heartfelt adventure and enchanting world to fall into.

“A beautifully executed, fantastical what-if tale for right now.”—Kirkus Reviews ★ Starred Review

Award-winning author Wendy Orr was born in Edmonton, Alberta. The daughter of an Air Force pilot, she has since lived around the world, including several years in Colorado, France, and England. She now lives in Melbourne, Australia, but returns to North America yearly to visit her family. Wendy's many books for children have been published in 27 countries and won awards around the world. Prominent among them is Nim's Island, which was made into the 2008 film of the same name; a 2013 sequel, Return to Nim's Island, was loosely based on Orr's book Nim at Sea. Orr's 2017 novel Dragonfly Song is a Junior Library Guild Selection and a Kirkus Best Middle-Grade Books selection, and a finalist for the prestigious TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award, among others. Its 2018 companion Swallow’s Dance earned three starred reviews and was a USBBY Outstanding International Book and a School Library Journal Best Middle Grade Book.

Wendy Orr's profile page

Praise for Out of the Valley of Horses

49th Shelf Spring 2024 “Most Anticipated Books for Young Readers” Selection

Quill and Quire 2024 Spring Preview: Books for Young People—Middle Grade Selection

“A novel that will sink into readers’ bones as they root for the family....This is a wonderful, unique family survival story with a majestic herd of horses who are not portrayed as wild animals, but as the wise creatures that they truly are....Orr’s latest will delight middle grade readers searching for escape and home simultaneously. Highly recommended for middle grade fiction collections.”—School Library Journal ★ Starred Review

“Reminiscent of fairy tales and fish-out-of-water tales...this speculative story has a just-right mix of fantasy and reality, excellent descriptions of the settings (both enchanted and realistic), and a strong main character with an important quest....A beautifully executed, fantastical what-if tale for right now.”—Kirkus Reviews ★ Starred Review

“The poetic, dreamy writing tells the story in third person, but the narrative generally sticks to the perspectives of the children as they notice the little changes and yearn to leave the place that has kept them safe for most of their lives. A moody and atmospheric adventure ideal for horse fans.”—Booklist

“With a recommendation from the Junior Library Guild....this is a book about restoration and the faith that you’ll get through the hard times.”—Fuse 8, School Library Journal

“The pace of the story is frantic, non-put-downable....an absolutely compelling and original and fast-moving fantasy.”—Youth Services Book Review ★ Starred Review

“A great portal fantasy.”—YA Books Central

“Young readers who like magic, adventure, and horses will love it!…a spellbinding tale….as magical as that of Orr’s popular book Nim’s Island, with a sprinkling of ancient fairy tale dust and plenty of magical horses, make this a must-read.”—The International Educator

“The descriptive writing in this book is lovely; evocative without being long-winded, detailed without ever becoming dull. The cover artist for the edition I read, Tara Anderson, is to be commended for capturing the ethereal spirit of the book itself.”—CM Magazine

“This mix of fantasy and realism is a wonderful family story that reads quickly….The apt descriptions of both valley and real world are compelling and hold interest from start to finish. Honey is a strong, resourceful, thoughtful character and her journey is worthy.”—Sal’s Fiction Addiction

“This book is like a dream world of enchantment. The writing feels like a reverie in the way it flows along taking the reader for a journey….delightful and refreshing!”—Luminous Libro

“Completely magical.”—BookTime

“I was on the edge of my seat as Honey embarked on a daring quest to escape the valley’s boundaries. Fantasy readers will love this world, blending reality with fiction and the magical horses.”—Kids Book Buzz