Member Review
Review by
Richard P, Reviewer
You could be forgiven for expecting R.J. Palacio, acclaimed author of "Wonder," to return with a similar story for her latest novel "Pony."
However, Palacio goes a remarkably fresh direction with "Pony" while still weaving a tapestry of themes so often found in her writing including friendship, connection, and the bonds that tie us across time, place, and adventure.
Set for the most part in 1860, "Pony" centers around a 12-year-old boy named Silas whose mysterious last night adventure one night leads to disappearance of his father and Silas having to find parts of himself previously undiscovered. "Pony" is a gently paced tale that is still filled with adventure, at times a Western in the tradition of "True Grit" and other times as tender and poignant as a story such as "War Horse."
Left shaken and scared by his father's unexpected departure, Silas's only true friend is a "ghost" named Mittenwool. This remains true until Silas works up the courage to begin exploring the woods that have always scared him and he stumbles across an old U.S. Marshal by the name of Enoch Farmer. As the story unfolds, the adventure increases while Palacio never forsakes humanity for adventure. She delightfully develops the characters in "Pony" and we come to care about them as much as they come to care about each other.
There is, of course, a pony that comes front-and-center in this story and this pony becomes a key inspiration for Silas growing into the boy he is meant to be. To give away much of this rather simple, straightforward story would be inexcusable but I think it's fair to say that Palacio has written in such a way that our embrace of these characters is absolutely essential.
There are hints of the supernatural throughout "Pony," but it's mostly in the ways in which our loved ones stay with us long after they are gone and also the ways in which we connect ourselves to past and present throughout our lives. It's gentle, honest, and emotionally resonant.
"Pony" is both historical fiction and fantasy, a book targeting middle-graders that will most likely be more appropriate for those who are solid readers given references to daguerrotypes and other concepts not always understood by children of this age. It's a gently challenging read - the vast majority of the book is likely to resonate greatly as Silas overcomes doubts, his and those of others, and learns to trust himself and the world around him.
"Pony" is most certainly a different type of novel from R.J. Palacio, however, it fits easily within her relational and empowering writing and her hope-filled worldview. It's a lovely, engaging novel filled with memorable characters and exciting adventures.
However, Palacio goes a remarkably fresh direction with "Pony" while still weaving a tapestry of themes so often found in her writing including friendship, connection, and the bonds that tie us across time, place, and adventure.
Set for the most part in 1860, "Pony" centers around a 12-year-old boy named Silas whose mysterious last night adventure one night leads to disappearance of his father and Silas having to find parts of himself previously undiscovered. "Pony" is a gently paced tale that is still filled with adventure, at times a Western in the tradition of "True Grit" and other times as tender and poignant as a story such as "War Horse."
Left shaken and scared by his father's unexpected departure, Silas's only true friend is a "ghost" named Mittenwool. This remains true until Silas works up the courage to begin exploring the woods that have always scared him and he stumbles across an old U.S. Marshal by the name of Enoch Farmer. As the story unfolds, the adventure increases while Palacio never forsakes humanity for adventure. She delightfully develops the characters in "Pony" and we come to care about them as much as they come to care about each other.
There is, of course, a pony that comes front-and-center in this story and this pony becomes a key inspiration for Silas growing into the boy he is meant to be. To give away much of this rather simple, straightforward story would be inexcusable but I think it's fair to say that Palacio has written in such a way that our embrace of these characters is absolutely essential.
There are hints of the supernatural throughout "Pony," but it's mostly in the ways in which our loved ones stay with us long after they are gone and also the ways in which we connect ourselves to past and present throughout our lives. It's gentle, honest, and emotionally resonant.
"Pony" is both historical fiction and fantasy, a book targeting middle-graders that will most likely be more appropriate for those who are solid readers given references to daguerrotypes and other concepts not always understood by children of this age. It's a gently challenging read - the vast majority of the book is likely to resonate greatly as Silas overcomes doubts, his and those of others, and learns to trust himself and the world around him.
"Pony" is most certainly a different type of novel from R.J. Palacio, however, it fits easily within her relational and empowering writing and her hope-filled worldview. It's a lovely, engaging novel filled with memorable characters and exciting adventures.
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