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mlhahn's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book so much. The story, the language, the surprises at the end, the author's notes. The blurb on the back is absolutely true: "Reader beware. Once you open PONY...your life will no longer be your own." This was a book I could hardly put down, and when I had to, I kept thinking about the characters and the story.
undulateabyss5's review against another edition
4.0
Palacio’ long awaited follow-up to her magnificent debut novel “Wonder” is another story about a boy who has his own story of survival. Against his hardworking father’s insistent wishes, Silas is positive he believes that a group of horsemen who taken him for a job has kidnapped him. He gets a surprise in the form of a pony and decides to go on a journey to rescue him knowing the dangers he might, but the people and places he will meet.
A very serious and emotional father-son journey set in the 1850s that certainly has a different tone than “Wonder”, but a more adventurous one. A- (91%/Excellent)
A very serious and emotional father-son journey set in the 1850s that certainly has a different tone than “Wonder”, but a more adventurous one. A- (91%/Excellent)
suzylibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
This is definitely a five star book if I could figure out how I would get kids to read it. The author’s popularity will help, the ghost element will help, but it is definitely a slow and strange ride. I’m hoping this will really work for a lot of students who are looking for something very very different.
Grades 5 and up. There’s gun violence from the Wild West as well as gruesome descriptions of ghosts in their human form.
Grades 5 and up. There’s gun violence from the Wild West as well as gruesome descriptions of ghosts in their human form.
courtneypyche's review against another edition
5.0
"When you see him in Ithaca, do not expect to find him perfect."
R.J. Palacio has written a real masterpiece of children's literature in >em>Pony. This is a historical novel in that its written to take place in the 1860s, but it is more a story about a particular person (who is fictional) than a story about a particular event. Silas' story from beginning to end is well-crafted, well-written, and well-executed. It is very much the hero's quest - his adventure starts when his father is taken away by three horsemen in the middle of night. He chooses to go on the quest when one of the horses mysteriously comes back for him. His companions, the valiant stead, the ghost, and eventually a sort of mentor who guides him through the Wood.
It is the little strings that tie all these characters together that really makes the story - of course the trip is wonderful to follow and cheer on, but the bits of connection that you see give this story meaning. This is junior historical fiction novel worth reading.
R.J. Palacio has written a real masterpiece of children's literature in >em>Pony. This is a historical novel in that its written to take place in the 1860s, but it is more a story about a particular person (who is fictional) than a story about a particular event. Silas' story from beginning to end is well-crafted, well-written, and well-executed. It is very much the hero's quest - his adventure starts when his father is taken away by three horsemen in the middle of night. He chooses to go on the quest when one of the horses mysteriously comes back for him. His companions, the valiant stead, the ghost, and eventually a sort of mentor who guides him through the Wood.
It is the little strings that tie all these characters together that really makes the story - of course the trip is wonderful to follow and cheer on, but the bits of connection that you see give this story meaning. This is junior historical fiction novel worth reading.
thereadingcountess's review against another edition
4.0
I'm conflicted on this rating because it's R.J. Palacio. And it involves ghosts. And it's historical fiction. It's definitely expertly written. I mean, come on, it's R.J. Palacio. If looking at it through the lense of a YA or adult reader, then it's a five star read for sure. I wouldn't feel comfortable giving this to anyone but my highest of high readers in fourth grade, though, which breaks my heart.
This is a slow burn of a book. By that I mean that it takes the reader (or maybe it's just me) a few chapters to get what the heck is going on, and even wthen you think you've got it, you really don't. In a nutshell? This is a story about family, and family secrets, and the bonds that blood may or may not have over us. It's a story about other worldly gifts not often understand and too often run from, and it's the story of creativity and greed and a boy and his pony. It's about so much more, though. I'll be thinking about how Palacio wound this little yarn up and let her go for quite a while.
Highly recommended for the 13+ crowd.
This is a slow burn of a book. By that I mean that it takes the reader (or maybe it's just me) a few chapters to get what the heck is going on, and even wthen you think you've got it, you really don't. In a nutshell? This is a story about family, and family secrets, and the bonds that blood may or may not have over us. It's a story about other worldly gifts not often understand and too often run from, and it's the story of creativity and greed and a boy and his pony. It's about so much more, though. I'll be thinking about how Palacio wound this little yarn up and let her go for quite a while.
Highly recommended for the 13+ crowd.
debbieg's review against another edition
5.0
I think I might peg this as YA rather than middle-grade. Although the story is (relatively) simple, the language and tone are reflective of the historical period and many of the ideas are quite sophisticated. I haven't read Wonder, so I had no real expectations going in. At first I thought "no twelve-year-old boy speaks like this," but then I realized that the narration is partly in retrospect. Also, Silas, the narrator, has been home educated by a bookish father, taught via Homer and Dante and other classics. The author writes in an afterword that she deliberately chose a style of language to reflect this. Otherwise, this novel is kind of hard to describe: a western, a quest, with ghosts and a magic pony... no, it's absolutely not as silly as it sounds. It's a fable in one way, but also a meditation on life and death and family and connections. Silas is a lovely character, but all the adults are well drawn as well, even the villains. And the ghost. It's really good.
kathyholt's review against another edition
4.0
A historical setting, but filled with mystery and a bit of fantasy, this is a tough one to put in a box. Silas is a quirky, endearing character. Palacio masterfully weaves elements throughout the story revealing clues about Silas' father, the wonderment of Mittenwool (Silas' companion), and peculiarity of Silas himself that keep the reader turning pages. At its core, the story is about love and connections that tie people to one another. A beautiful story. 4.5
jcbowr's review
3.0
This novel had some bright spots (bringing it to the three stars) but missing so many elements (keeping it from 5 stars). Bright spots? Silas is truly a character you WANT to know, you WANT to be friends with, you WANT to succeed. Missing elements? Why is Pony the title when it plays a part, but nomoreso than other characters. Why was the ending chapters so rushed to get Silas to adulthood?
lovestodancw_81's review against another edition
5.0
This book is the group read for Middle Grade March 2022 and it did not disappoint. I've read few books set in the time of the American Civil War. I love the combination of the fantasy element of a ghost best friend, an adventure story, and a main character that faces personal adversity.
I loved the relationship between the main character and his father, the way his best friend looked after him, and the characters he met along the way. The story ended up taking a sharp right turn at the climax, which I wasn't expecting but I wasn't disappointed.
By the time I put this book down, I had cried three times! You know a middle grade book is great if it makes you cry.
I loved the relationship between the main character and his father, the way his best friend looked after him, and the characters he met along the way. The story ended up taking a sharp right turn at the climax, which I wasn't expecting but I wasn't disappointed.
By the time I put this book down, I had cried three times! You know a middle grade book is great if it makes you cry.