First published 2009
Rupert Isaacson faces every parent's nightmare when doctors diagnose his son Rowan with autism. Communication seems impossible until Isaacson discovers something remarkable. As a lifelong horseman, he decides to ride their neighbor's horse with Rowan. The results amaze him. Rowan shows dramatic improvement around the animals. This discovery sparks an audacious plan. Isaacson will take his family to Mongolia, where ancient shamanic traditions merge with deep horse culture. The journey tests them in ways they never imagined. They encounter breathtaking landscapes and generous people, but also face crushing disappointments. Progress comes in fits and starts. Some days bring setbacks that feel unbearable. Other moments reveal breakthroughs beyond what they dared hope for. Through it all, Rowan slowly begins connecting with the world around him. The family's willingness to travel across continents for their child transforms not just Rowan, but all of them.
Genres: family, adventure, non-fiction, biography-memoir, disability
Vibes: emotional-atmospheric, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: Mongolia
368 pages · Hardcover · Little, Brown and Company