The Pony Question

Jackie Merchant

Format
Paperback
Publisher
Walker Books Australia
Country
Australia
Published
1 July 2020
Pages
256
ISBN
9781760651640

The Pony Question

Jackie Merchant

The happiness of a young girl and a pony in desperate need of saving depends on the other.

Essie doesn’t believe in signs or wishing on stars. She likes facts, and the fact is, she’s left her love of horses firmly in the past. She doesn’t want a new horse and she certainly doesn’t need one, not with the price she’d have to pay. That’s a line she just won’t cross.

But the universe has other ideas. Essie may not need a pony, but there’s a pony that needs her. But taking on a pony without a past brings a lot of unanswered questions, and in searching for answers Essie is going to have decide if to go forward, she is able to forgive the past.

Review

by Angela Crocombe

Essie gave up on horses after she was caught up in a cheating scandal with her last pony. Her dad was the parent who helped with her horse and riding events, anyway. Now her parents have divorced, and she lives with her mum in the country. However, when she and her mum go to a farm sale, they accidentally buy a starving, neglected pony that desperately needs their love.

This is a classic animal-rescue story with a strong cast of characters, including Essie’s mum, helpful neighbours and, of course, the feisty pony with unknown origins. There is a great deal to enjoy for those who love horse stories, but the difficulties of having separated parents and trying to find common ground again with a parent who has let you down are also explored. This is an engaging story for readers aged 9+.