Ember

Herd Mare

Storm

Herd Stallion

Willow

Elder Mare

Spark

Colt

The Herd

Mares and Foals

Swift

Pronghorn

The Humans

Dr. Rosa Mendez

Latina Wildlife Biologist

Jake

4x4 Teen Driver

Men with Tools

Thugs for Hire

Loggers

Livelihood Disrupted

Ava C. Ryder

Ava grew up with a deep love for the untamed beauty of the American West, where the whispers of wild mustangs and the crackle of distant storms inspired her storytelling. A lifelong admirer of horses and their unspoken bonds, she has spent countless hours observing their movements, studying their behaviors, and marveling at their resilience in the face of nature’s challenges.

When she isn’t writing, Ava can often be found hiking, riding western, or watching National Geographic. Her passion for preserving the delicate balance between humans and nature shines through in her debut novel, Ember’s Gallop, where she takes readers on an unforgettable journey through the eyes of a courageous young mare named Ember.

With a knack for weaving sensory-rich narratives and a heart for environmental stewardship, Ava hopes to inspire her readers to explore their connection to nature and discover the quiet magic that exists in the world around them.

As wildfire chases the wind,

the herd runs.

As wildfire chases the wind,

the herd runs.

Ember's Gallop

Told through her sensory-rich perspective, this story immerses you in the raw beauty of survival. Step into the hooves of Ember, a wild mustang navigating fire-scorched lands, showing how even the smallest actions can spark hope for nature’s future.

From wildfire ecology to equine behavior, join Ember as she leads her herd through fire, drought, and beyond in this thrilling new book for all animal fiction fans.

Book cover of Ember's Gallop by Ava C. Ryder
Available on Amazon
Available on Apple Books
Available on nook by Barns and Noble
Available on kobo
Available on OverDrive
Available on Fable
Available on Smashwords
Available on Indigo

Herdmates

Patron-Driven for Local Libraries

How Ember's Gallop Enhances Your Library's CollectionWhy This Matters for Your Patrons
A Unique Horse Protagonist & Sensory-Driven Storytelling Ember's Gallop is told from the perspective of Ember, a wild mustang, immersing readers in the world of the herd through vivid sights, sounds, smells, touch, and taste. Animal POV fiction is underrepresented in YA collections and appeals to readers seeking fresh, immersive narratives. This unique perspective supports your library's goal of offering diverse storytelling experiences.

Click here for our Librarian & Teacher Overview
Eco-Conscious & Wildfire Survival Themes This novel's focus on wildfire survival and environmental awareness aligns with current teen interests in climate issues and nature. Eco-fiction is in high demand among young readers and educators. This book can be featured in environmental awareness programming and STEM/STEAM displays, supporting curriculum and community engagement.
Curriculum & Programming Inspiration Here I am offering a collection of versatile discussion concepts, book club frameworks, and activity ideas inspired by Ember's journey in my novel's richly imagined sensory world.

These resources are thoughtfully designed as springboards to spark your own creative programming-whether you are planning engaging library events, classroom discussions, or interactive reading activities.

Each idea invites you to adapt, expand, and personalize the following material to meet the unique interests and needs of your students or library patrons, empowering you to foster deeper connections with the story while encouraging empathy, curiosity, and critical thinking.

These resource ideas can make it easy to integrate Ember's Gallop into library events, book clubs, or themed displays, saving staff time and increasing patron participation.

Part A: Middle school Discussion Guide

Part B: Middle school Book Club Questions

Part C: Middle school Activity Examples



Part A: High school Discussion Guides

Part B: High school Book Club Questions

Part C: High school Activity and Action Plans
Perfect for Themed Displays & Niche Lists Ideal for ''Horse Adventure,'' ''Rural Coming-of-Age,'' ''Climate Resilience,'' or ''Animal Narratives'' displays and reading lists. Themed displays and curated lists help patrons discover new favorites and support collection marketing best practices.
Patron-Driven Acquisition Support Promotional materials and social media graphics are available here to encourage local readers to request Ember's Gallop at your library. Patron requests strongly influence acquisition decisions and demonstrate community demand for books similar to Ember's Gallop.

Click here to access my Google Drive.
Recognized with #1 New Release Banner Currently a #1 New Release on Amazon in Teen & Young Adult Country Life eBooks, with over 72,000 words of rich storytelling. External recognition and strong reviews help validate collection development decisions and attract both avid and reluctant readers.
Consider adding Ember’s Gallop to your collection for a fresh, eco-conscious, and sensory-rich adventure that will resonate with teens, educators, and families in your community.
Want to Read Ember’s Gallop at Your Local Library?
Here’s How to Request It!
StepWhat to Do
1. Search Your Library’s Catalogue Use your library’s website or the OverDrive/Libby app to search for Ember’s Gallop by Ava Ryder.
If you find it-great! If not, move to Step 2.
2. Suggest a Title via Your Library Many libraries have a “Suggest a Title” or “Request a Purchase” form on their website. Fill it out with:
  • Title: Ember’s Gallop
  • Author: Ava Ryder
  • Format: eBook (available on OverDrive/Libby, Hoopla, and Palace Marketplace)
  • ISBN: Add this ISBN: 9798230966944
If you don't see a form, call or visit your library and ask a staff member to request Ember's Gallop for you.
3. Using OverDrive/Libby’s “Notify Me” Feature In the Libby app, if your library supports it, you can use the “Notify Me” tag:
  • Search for Ember’s Gallop in Libby.
  • If it’s not available, tap “Notify Me” to let the library know you’re interested.
  • This alerts your library to consider purchasing Ember's Gallop.
Note: Not all libraries have this feature enabled, so also use Step 2 for best results.
4. Encourage Friends & Family The more requests a library receives, the more likely they are to add Ember’s Gallop! Ask your family and friends to request our horse book, too.
5. Follow Up Libraries may take a few weeks to process requests. Check back, and if you don’t see Ember's Gallop added, politely follow up with library staff. Thank you!
Why Request?
When you request Ember’s Gallop at your local library, you help introduce a thrilling, eco-conscious adventure to your community-making it available for everyone to enjoy!