Books with author retold by Mary Casanova

Twelve-year-old Seth wants to prove to his stepfather, the game warden, that he is responsible enough to use his shotgun on his own. Without permission, he takes matters into his own hands and shoots his first rabbit. He is worried about what his father will say when he finds out--and Seth himself is unsure of how he feels about it--but before he can confess, Seth's life is turned upside down. In the woods near his house, he sees poachers slaughter a moose cow and injure her calf. Rather than tell his stepfather about the incident, Seth tries to save the calf, but the poachers know who he is and threaten his family. Can he rescue the moose and bring the poachers to justice? He has to try.

Libby has always wanted a horse of her own, but riding and caring for her neighbor Jolene Porter's horse, Thunder, has been the next best thing. Everything changes once Jolene leaves her husband and Libby discovers that Mr. Porter has been abusing the animal. With the help of her new friend, Griff, she decides to steal Thunder to ensure his safety. However, Mr. Porter has plans of his own that may mean trouble for the youngsters. This fast-paced adventure works because of Casanova's precise and evocative descriptions that weave their way around a compelling story of intrigue and heroism. Libby's love for horses is nicely juxtaposed against Porter's desire to rid himself of the burden of owning the stable, to the point of setting his barn on fire in a ploy to collect the insurance money. It is Libby's quick thinking and levelheadedness that help save the animals. She and Griff are personable characters whose friendship is one of trust and loyalty. Libby is a winning heroine who will do anything to save Thunder. Her actions speak louder than words, and she stands up for what she believes in a world in which adults think they know what's best.