Love of Horses Leads to Late Bloomer's Literary Career

Andrews book Wild Horse Summer to be used in Hoff Elementary classroom. Peggy Lough, reading specialist believes it will work well in her Title 1 reading program.

For Immediate Release

Contact Information:
Neva Andrews
1012 Lochbuie, CO 80603
303 654-9858
eeandre@attglobal.net

Is it ever too late to pursue your dream? Ask Seventy-Six-Year-Old Neva Andrews of Lochbuie, Colorado.

Andrews' book, Wild Horse Summer, a trade paper back released in 2000 by iUniverse.com, will be used in the classroom at Hoff Elementary in Keenesburg, Colorado this March. Peggy Lough, reading specialist, believes it will work well in her Title I reading program. Teacher Jerry Shea of Weld Central High School began using Andrews' book in his English as a Second Language classes last spring. He expected it to be a good text for teaching vocabulary and grammar, but was delighted when it spawned in-depth class discussions that caused the young people to examine their own lives. Andrews, who wrote the book for a younger audience, was surprised to learn that teenagers related to her main character. With Wild Horse Summer in a number of area libraries, Andrews has realized her dream of sharing with boys and girls of today the family values she grew up with. The strong family values she weaves into her story makes the book a favorite with parents and teachers, and her character's love of horses wins the hearts of young readers.

Wild Horse Summer is the story of ten-year-old Jo Barkley trying to earn a horse to race at the county fair. During the Depression of the 1930s there is no money, so Jo and her friend, Bobby, think up several schemes to get a horse, including trying to catch a wild pony on the desert near their home. When Flora Mae comes for a visit, Jo is faced with a new problem, how to put up with her city cousin. Jo has a lot of determination, but with her tenacity comes a temper that frequently gets her into trouble. While she is a rough and tumble tomboy who goes after what she wants, at the same time she has a tender side and a strong sense of responsibility to her family.

There is a reason why Andrews writes with a keen understanding of farm life and an awareness of nature. She grew up on a horse and as she got older, drove work horses to help on the family farm. Her love of writing goes back almost as far as her love of horses. It seemed only natural in her retirement to combine her two loves and write horse stories for children. Her two books, Wild Horse Summer and The Secret of Tabby Mountain, have found their way into school libraries and into the hearts of boys and girls. Besides writing books, she writes a weekly column for the South Weld Sun in Keenesburg, Colorado and has published numerous articles about her horse experiences.

When Andrews is not writing, she may be found gardening, practicing her mountain dulcimer or playing with grandchildren. She and her husband, Ed, live in Colorado. They have one grown daughter, four grown sons, nine grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren.

Andrews' books are available at Kat's Books in Brighton and Country Time Gifts in Keenesburg. For more information, go to: www.jobarkley.com or contact the author at 303 654-9858