"An irresistible readable novel…A triumphant portrait of tumultuous adolescence." 

— Joyce Carol Oates

In the competitive world of contemporary literature, few debut novels manage to capture both the grit of rural life and the ethereal nature of healing quite like Christy Cashman’s The Truth About Horses. Since its release, the novel has galloped through the 2024 awards circuit, most notably securing a top spot at the NYC Big Book Awards.

At the 2024 NYC Big Book Awards, Cashman’s debut was crowned the Winner in the Death and Dying category and named a Distinguished Favorite in General Fiction. While the “Death and Dying” category might seem heavy for a story about a fourteen-year-old girl, it perfectly encapsulates the book's heart. It isn’t just a “horse story”; it is an exploration of what remains when everything you love is stripped away:  a prize stallion, a family legacy, and a mother. The award recognizes Cashman’s ability to handle the “post-traumatic truth” with a lens that is both unflinching and deeply empathetic.

Christy is signing at AWP, March 7th, 1pm at booth 521 inside the Baltimore Convention Center.

The novel introduces us to Reese Tucker, a young girl living in the shadow of a shattered dream in Birdwood, South Dakota. After a devastating racing accident involving her family’s horse, Trusted Treasure, Reese’s life enters a downward spiral marked by financial ruin and the sudden death of her mother.

What sets this book apart from standard Young Adult or General Fiction is its unique blend of Equestrian Realism and Magical Realism. Cashman, a lifelong equestrian herself, eschews the “glossy” version of horse riding. She writes about the dirt, the debt, and the physical toll of the life. The writing takes on the magical when Reese begins to see a mystical herd of wild horses and a legendary black stallion. These visions serve as a psychological bridge, helping her navigate her grief and reconnect with her father and a mysterious trainer named Wes.

The NYC Big Book Award is just one trophy on a very crowded mantle. In 2024 alone, "The Truth About Horses" took home the Gold for General Fiction in the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards; 2025 Independent Press Award Winner for General Fiction; and the Writer’s Digest award for the Young Adult category.

Christy Cashman’s background as an actress (American Hustle, The Descendants) and producer brings a cinematic quality to her prose. However, her most impactful work may be her philanthropic arm, YouthINK. Inspired by the themes of her book, this initiative encourages young people to use creative storytelling to process their own life challenges.

*** OVER 30,000 copies sold ***