Books with author Kathleen A. Duffy

Charlie is a loner, and he likes it that way. He grew up as an only cat and has developed very set ideas about how his world should be and how others should behave in it. But when circumstances force him to rescue a newborn kitten, his orderly world crumbles around him. Charlie is now a single parent, with all the emotional ups and downs that parenthood can bring. In this new situation, Charlie finds strengths within himself that he never dreamed he had. The old life he lived disappears, and a new one unfoldsone that is bigger, fuller, and better. Charlie experiences the joys of a life of giving and receiving unconditional love. Wonderfully enchanting to watch Charlie have a change of heart and personality to become a hero to a little kitten. Charlies transformation warms the heart! K. Finneron, author of SuSu of the FruFru This absolutely charming and heart-warming childrens story about Charlie the Cat and how he redeems his selfish ways will resonate with children and adults alike. Like all great stories, its easy to read, full of laugh-out-loud bits, and is hard to forget. Jane Buckle, PhD, London, UK

Joined by Hiram the farmhand, Katie begins the journey west. At first, she is unsure if the Mustang will follow, but much to her relief, he seems to trust her. Soon, Katie and Hiram meet up with a large family who invite them to join their caravan. For the first time, it seems as though they might really make it to Oregon. But then tragedy strikes, and Katie finds herself having to choose between parting ways with Hiram, or abandoning her dreams of going west&150and giving up on the chance to return the Mustang to his homeland.

The third book in the Hoofbeats series focusing on Katie!Katie knows she has come too far to give up. Taken under the Kylers' wing, she stays close to the Mustang and clings to her dream of finding her uncle. Then a particularly bad river crossing leaves their guide crippled and their group diminished. Knowing that there is strength in numbers, they join forces with a traveling circus troupe, and somehow make it to Fort Laramie.

Orphaned at age six and taken in by a heartless couple, nine-year-old Katie Rose spends her days doing chores and dreaming of going west to find her Uncle Jack. Then Mr. Stevens brings home an unbroken Mustang, and Katie's world changes. Katie is drawn to the horse's wildness, and he seems to sense her need for companionship. So when Katie learns that the Stevenses plan to join the expansion West&150without her or the Mustang&150she makes a desperate decision to go on her own. And she will not leave the Mustang behind.

The fourth book in the Hoofbeats series focusing on Katie!With trepidation, Katie continues Westward with the Kylers. The mountainous terrain makes for difficult traveling, and they arrive in Oregon shortly before the winter snows hit. While the Kylers and the others begin the search for land, Katie's worst fears are confirmed. Her uncle is not there. Then she realizes that she has brought the Mustang home, and she cannot keep him with her anymore. Left with no family and without the Mustang to rely on, Katie must find her own way...

Adventure, drama, wild horses running free. The American West is brought to life through the eyes of the horses who were there in a new program of books inspired by Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, the new film coming May 2002 from DreamWorks. Bonita is a pampered riding horse in San Antonio when the Mexican War for Independence breaks out. Torn from her beloved mistress, Bonita is forced into a life of hardship. But newfound strength enables her to escape from her captors and find a new life of freedom.

Orphaned at age six and taken in by a heartless couple, nine-year-old Katie Rose spends her days doing chores and dreaming of going west to find her Uncle Jack. Then Mr. Stevens brings home an unbroken Mustang, and Katie's world changes. Katie is drawn to the horse's wildness, and he seems to sense her need for companionship. So when Katie learns that the Stevenses plan to join the expansion West&150without her or the Mustang&150she makes a desperate decision to go on her own. And she will not leave the Mustang behind.

Nine-year-old Lara is the daughter of the r?-the leader of her cattle-raising clan. While she spends her days tending to the cattle, her heart lies with her beloved gray mare. When Lara goes to the highlands to set the cattle out to graze, she finds the mare in the process of a difficult birth. Lara vows to take care of the foal as a dying promise to the gray mare, and with the help of a childless milk-cow, she cares for the spindly-legged filly. But just when she is confident that the foal can survive, a rival clan captures them both, and throws Lara's life into turmoil. When the filly is eventually given to a titled baron in the castle town of Athenry, Lara, determined to stay with the horse no matter what, goes along. Together, she and her beloved horse face seemingly insurmountable challenges, but all along Lara keeps two things in mind. One day, she will manage to flee, and will set off in search of the family that she was taken from. And she will not leave without her silver mare.

Katie knows she has come too far to give up. Taken under the Kylers' wing, she stays close to the Mustang and clings to her dream of finding her uncle. Then a particularly bad river crossing leaves their guide crippled and their group diminished. Knowing that there is strength in numbers, they join forces with a traveling circus troupe, and somehow make it to Fort Laramie.