Where the Orchard Ends

<p><strong>Twelve-year-old Wren Harper hasn't spoken in seventy-three days not since the morning she found her mother unresponsive in their apartment. When she's sent to live with a grandmother she barely knows Wren retreats further into silence until she discovers a starving Appaloosa mare trapped in a ravine.</strong></p><p>Wren names the horse Talowa a skittish wounded creature who seems to understand her grief. As Wren secretly nurses Talowa back to health a fragile connection forms. But when a stranger begins asking questions about a missing horse Wren must find her voice to protect the one being who understands her without words.</p><p><em>Where the Orchard Ends</em> is a contemporary middle grade novel that explores themes of grief selective mutism family estrangement animal rescue and emotional healing. A poignant character-driven story for readers aged 9-14 it is especially suited for classroom libraries and youth reading programs focused on resilience empathy and personal growth.</p>