Stolen! A pony Called Pebbles by Wendy Orr -- ESSENTIAL

Orr, Wendy Stolen! A Pony Called Pebbles (Rainbow Street Shelter #5), illustrated by Patricia Castelao, 121 pgs. Henry Holt and Company, 2012.

Amy has always loved horses, but she knows she'll never be able to have one. Not only would it be too big to fit in her backyard, but it would be too expensive, too. But when she finds a dirty, starving horse trapped inside a rusty, makeshift corral, she sees her chance to help out -- while also finally fulfilling her dream of riding a horse.

I enjoyed this one very much and can see it being popular with the horse-loving crowd. The plot had enough twists to keep it suspenseful, and I found myself rooting for both Amy and Pebbles the whole way. Yes, the ending is extremely sappy and a bit unrealistic, but the wish-fulfillment is part of the fun. It was also interesting to learn a little more about horses throughout. Although it is part of the Rainbow Street Shelter series, it stands on its own quite nicely, which I appreciated.

EL -- ESSENTIAL. Reviewer: Caryn.

Wild Horse Scientists by Kay Frydenborg - ESSENTIAL

Frydenborg, Kay Wild Horse Scientists, 76 p.  Houghton Mifflin, 2012.  $19.  Content: G.  NONFICTION.  

Most girls of my generation have probably read one or more of the Misty of Chincoteague books.  Well, there is a lot more to the story than those few novels.  Frydenborg delves into the history of the horses and the modern problems that they face – these particular horses being the inhabits of Assateague, Chincoteague’s neighbor.  The big questions for these and for all wild horses, is how to maintain the herds at sizes that will be in harmony with their ranges – allowing just enough breeding to replenish the herds, without overburdening them to the point where horses needed to be penned and sold – perhaps to dog food makers.  Interestingly, just yesterday I read an article about the wild mustangs of the western ranges – and how scientists are using the discoveries from Assateague to apply to these populations also.  Fascinating.  

EL, MS – ESSENTIAL. Cindy, Library Teacher

Noni the Pony by Alison Lester - OPTIONAL

Lester, Alison Noni the Pony, PICTURE BOOK.  Beach Lane Books, 2010. $15.99. 

This is a simple story about a pleasant pony.  It tells about where she lives, what she likes to do, and who her friends are. It finishes up with a good cuddle with friends to keep her frights away.  The rhyming in this story is very well done (and this is coming from someone who isn’t super fond of rhyming books.) Definitely not a complex tale, but the illustrations are sweet and it will be appealing to younger children and horse-loving readers. 

 Pre-K, EL (K-3) –OPTIONAL. Reviewed by: Shay, Library Media Specialist

Mercury's Flight by Annie Wedekind - OPTIONAL

Wedekind, Annie Mercury's Flight: The Story of a Lipizzaner Stallion, 119 pgs. Feiwel and Friends, 2011. Language - PG (4 swears, 0 "f"), Sexual Content - G; Violence - G; 

Mercury has never felt completely at ease because of his early days wen someone was missing from his life. As he grows up, Mercury is able to build his foundation of confidence upon other things, but they eventually leave, too. How is he supposed to stay standing in a world trying to knock him down? 

It's interesting to read from the point of view of a horse, but I enjoyed the idea of horses being such intelligent and emotional creatures. Also, the concept of war effecting horses as much as it does humans opened my mind to something I hadn't thought very much about before. 

EL, MS - OPTIONAL. Reviewer: CCH

True Blue by Jane Smiley - OPTIONAL

Smiley, Jane True Blue, 297 pgs.  Random House Children`s Books, 2011.

$ 16.99.  Language - G (0 swears, 0 "f"), Mature Content - G; Violence - G;  

True Blue is about a horse who loses his owner in a car accident, then  gets a new owner named Abby Lovitt.  When at Blues new home, Blue is  often being spooked and Abby is seeing a ghost, who seems to be  haunting her and Blue.  

While reading True Blue, I was intrigued for most of the book, mainly because you are just waiting for something to happen.  I would  recommend this book to those people who enjoy a somewhat easy – read and some mystery. 

EL & MS - OPTIONAL.  Student Reviewer: MD

The Black Stallion and the Lost City by Steven Farley - ADVISABLE

Farely, Steven The Black Stallion and the Lost City, 245 pgs.  Random House, 2011, $16.99.  Language - PG (1 swear, 0 "f"), Mature Content - PG; Violence - PG;  The Black Stallion and the Lost City is about a horse named The Black, and Alec Ramsay, The Black's rider, who goes for an afternoon walk and loses their way.  Soon they find themselves almost back in time with flesh-eating mares and ancient rituals of the Greek civilization. 

I enjoyed how this book places you back in time with some Greek myths, while Alec and The Black are shooting a movie called "Alexander the Great."  It was very entertaining, and when you are waiting for something to happen, you are still just as entertained, as you would be during some action.  MS - ADVISABLE. Student Reviewer: MD

The Winter Pony by Iain Lawrence - ESSENTIAL

Lawrence, Iain The Winter Pony: Who Will Survive the Race to the South Pole?, 234 pgs. Pelacorte Press, 2011. $16.99 Hardback. Language: PG ( 5 swears, 0 "f"); Mature Content - PG; Violence: PG; "The Winter Pony, Who Will Survive the Race to the South Pole?" is mainly the horses, James Piggs, perspective of the journey to the South Pole, that includes a journal of Captain Robert Falcon Scott at the end of each chapter.  It shows all their hardships and much of the danger and sacrigice the team made together.  

This book was an eye - opener to me, to see what the animals see and to learn some world history and seeing how lucky we all are with our different adventures, big or small.  Also, it was amazing to build on my belief that, "to do great things, you need to sacrifice" though, maybe not always as big of a sacrifice.  

MS, HS - ESSENTIAL. Student Reviewer: MD