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What do you think?
What did you like about the story?
What do you like about Oyuna?
Did Oyuna's family reinforce their people's belief that she was cursed? In what ways?
Was the adventure believable? Give examples to prove your answer.
How did Oyuna change her luck?
Why was Oyuna's grandmother respected yet feared?
Oyuna's grandmother reminds her of the many ways there are to hear and listen. What did she mean?
Why do you think the white mare spoke to Oyuna?
Fun & Adventure Beyond the Book
Genghis Khan was the son of a minor chief in what is now eastern Mongolia. He united the nomadic tribes of Mongolia into a disciplined military state. His grandson, Kublai Khan, conquered China.
At its height, the Mongol empire stretched from Korea to Hungary and as far south as Vietnam. It was the largest empire the world has ever known. The Mongols are remembered mostly for their ferocious military force, but they improved the road system linking China with Russia and promoted trade throughout the empire and with Europe.
You can learn more about the Mongolian Empire on National Geographic's website.
Genghis Khan divided his empire among his four favorite sons. You can learn more about them here.
Oyuna shares a strong bond with horses. She understands them and can communicate with them. Nowadays, Oyuna would be called a "horse whisperer." In America, John Solomon Rarey is said to be the first documented horse whisperer. You can read about him here. What do you think? Do you believe in horse whisperers? If you're interested in learning more about horse whisperers and their ways, you may want to explore natural horse keeping.
Author Diane Lee Wilson and Oyuna have something in common—both were kicked by a horse! And all of Wilson's books center around horses. You can learn more about Wilson on her publisher's website.
If You Like This Book, Check Out...
Grace Greene, from the Vermont Department of Libraries, says if you liked I Rode a Horse of Milk White Jade, you'll probably enjoy these books as well:
Other books by Diane Lee Wilson:
Black Storm Comin' (McElderry, 2005)
On a wagon train headed to California, Colton is left to care for his family after his father accidentally shoots him and then runs off in horror.
To Ride the Gods' Own Stallion (Dorling Kindersley, 2000)
After being taken as a slave to Nineveh, thirteen-year-old Soulai finds his life intertwined with that of the son of King Ashurbanipal and a magnificent stallion, and gets a chance to prove to himself and others that he is not a coward.
Companion Titles:
I'm Deborah Sampson: A Soldier in the War of the Revolution, by Patricia Clapp (Lothrop, 1977)
Relates the experiences of the woman who disguised herself as a man in order to enlist and fight in the American Revolution.
The Conch Bearer: A Novel, by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni (Roaring Brook, 2003)
In India, a healer invites twelve-year-old Anand to join him on a quest to return a magical conch to its safe and rightful home, high in the Himalayan mountains.
The Kite Rider, by Geraldine McCaughrean (HarperCollins, 2002)
In thirteenth-century China, after trying to save his widowed mother from a horrendous second marriage, twelve-year-old Haoyou has life-changing adventures when he takes to the sky as a circus kite rider and ends up meeting the great Mongol ruler Kublai Khan.
Kite Fighter, by Linda Sue Park (Clarion, 2000)
In Korea in 1473, eleven-year-old Young-sup overcomes his rivalry with his older brother Kee-sup, who as the first-born son receives special treatment from their father, and combines his kite-flying skill with Kee-sup's kite-making skill in an attempt to win the New Year kite-fighting competition.
Warrior Scarlet, by Rosemary Sutcliff (H.Z. Walck, 1958)
Drem undertakes a journey to overcome his handicap and to prove himself to his tribe, and discovers the power of perseverance, friendship and inner courage.
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