This novella by Anne McCaffrey was a charming interlude to read in between longer books.

Tirza's mother, Lady Talarrie Eircelly is known far and wide for her wisdom and healing. However, as Tirza and her twin Tracell near their sixteenth birthday, war strikes the land. Their father must muster his people to join the fight, and the family is left to deal with the hardships facing the village, which they do with creativity and spirit.

However, despite all her mother's great wisdom, Tirza seriously doubts that Mother will be able to come up with the traditional gift for her brother -- a horse of his own. Every decent horse has gone to the battlefields. Can they even celebrate their sixteenth birthdays during wartime?

Here's a heartwarming and charming story with just a touch of magic.