Shortlist year: 2010
Shortlist category: Children's literature
Published by: Penguin Random House
Ten-year-old Nina lives with her father above the palace stables at the Royal Academy of Dancing Horses. She loves watching the famous white stallions as they parade for the crowds, but her favourite horse is an ordinary mare called Zelda—an old cab horse Nina often pats on her way home from school. When Nina's world changes dramatically, she and her father have to flee from the city. Their journey over the mountains with Zelda and the stallions seems impossible, with danger at every turn . . .
About the author
Alison Lester
Alison Lester (Australian Children's Laureate, 2012-2013) is one of Australia's most popular and bestselling creators of children's books.
She has won many awards, including the 2005 Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Picture Book of the Year Award, and the 2012 CBCA Eve Pownall Award.
Her picture books include Running with the Horses, One Small Island, Kissed by the Moon and My Dog Bigsy—to name just a few.
Alison lives on a farm in the Victorian countryside. She spends part of each year travelling to schools around Australia, helping students and teachers develop their own stories.