R.J. Palacio brings together the adventurous feel of a western with a ghost story that is full of twists, turns, and heart. This book has something in it to entice almost any middle grade reader.

I am constantly seeking books that not only engage but also reflect the diverse backgrounds of our students. R.J. Palacio's "Pony" is an enchanting tale that offers a window into 19th-century America through the eyes of Silas, a twelve-year-old boy on a quest filled with bravery and self-discovery. Palacio's narrative is a tapestry of adventure, history, and the supernatural, spun with the emotional depth we've come to appreciate from her work.

Despite its strengths, I am tentative about the book's ability to resonate with all students, especially those of color. The story's lack of direct engagement with the cultural experiences that mirror our students' lives might limit its relatability. "Pony" possesses universal themes, but the connection for readers can be deepened when they see their own reflections in the characters they read about.

Nevertheless, "Pony" is a commendable addition to our library. It is a story that will no doubt captivate many, though it may require additional context or support to bridge the gap between its world and the diverse realities of our student body.

Recommended for: Young readers who love historical fiction and stories of courage and personal growth.

Excellent book! The writing is lyrical and lush, and the story is absolutely captivating. I enjoyed the western setting, and the supernatural elements. There is a fair amount of suspense, and the question of solving the mystery at the heart of the story drives the plot nicely. The characters are quite memorable as well. Palacio has written another wonderful story for kids that adults will also love!

When I saw the author of Wonder had a new historical fiction book coming out I jumped to request it. While it took me awhile to get to it I regret waiting so long. This was a perfect change of pace for me away from litany of adult historical fiction.

The voice used in this book is just a special one. 12-year-old Silas is worried about his dad, having been taken from their home by cruel men he is determined to get to him and free him from his captors. Alongside his imaginary pal/ghost/he's not sure what he is, Mittenwold, Silas takes the Pony that fled the cruel men to return to him and traipses past his fears and obstacles to try to get to his father. My biggest complaint on the book is sometimes I would get so frustrated with Silas....but he's a 12-year-old boy so this is to be expected :)

Part historical fiction, part magical realism this story was a special one that I would definitely recommend to middle grade readers. While different from Wonder it is another book that I could see being a big hit and great for classroom discussions.

I really liked Wonder but this was a completely different book. While the idea was intriguing, I never really connected to the characters which made it hard to get engrossed in the story.

A little spooky and a lot of heart went into this story and every reader can tell from the opening chapter. Silas is a character I will hold onto for a long time!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in return for an honest review. I’m happy to say I LOVED THIS BOOK! I had never read anything by Palacio before but I have seen the movie adaptation of Wonder. I didn’t know what to expect from Palacio’s writing. Her writing is beautiful! She really transports you into the story.

Pony is the story of a 12 year old boy names Silas who lives with his father (and a ghost named Mittenwool). His mother died in childbirth. Silas and his father are close, and when his father is taken by counterfeiters in the middle of the night, Silas follows to rescue his father with the help of a special little horse. The ensuing tale is full of adventure, humor, insight, and mystery.

I couldn’t put this book down. I loved the characters and the story and the descriptions. I was on the edge of my seat several times. There were some plot twists (fairly predictable, but I’m an adult reading middle grade, so YMMV) that kept the narrative bouncing along.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book, and may use it in my classroom in the future depending on whether I can plug it in! It’s a work of fiction but if nothing else, I will keep copies on hand for students to read. :)

While I can't recommend this to those who are expecting Wonder, this is still a very well written historical novel. Bring the tissues.

An unusual meditation, set during the Civil War, on fathers and sons, on loss. on the stories we tell. Punctuated by actual daguerrotypes with a subplot about early photography.

My summary: it’s sort of a western about a 12 year old, his ghost companion and a pony, tracking his fathers kidnappers and breaking up a counterfeiting ring. Trigger warning: There’s death, violence, and gun fighting. Not one I would recommend to my 5th and 6th graders.

Pony by R. J. Palacio is a heartfelt story of a boy, a ghost and a horse on a quest to rescue his father from the outlaws who have kidnapped him. Set in the frontier Ohio in 1860, Pony is an adventure story, a ghost story and the story of a boy gaining courage, all on the trail of the kidnappers. R. J. Palacio does it again!

A fairly typical middle-grade novel. There's a lot to like about it, but honestly, I couldn't stop from Wonder creeping up into my head every time I read it and that book has some serious issues for me. Anyway, Pony stands on its own and I appreciate what Palacio is doing.

Pony by R.J. Palacio is genre bending. Is it historical fiction, mystery, horror? Regardless, it is an amazing journey that you will want to take with the main character, Silas. Silas challenges his own comfort and courage by setting out on a dangerous quest to find his father who was forced to leave with some very questionable men. Along the way he discovers how brave he can be and that he is never truly alone. Pony has some very scary elements and I would recommend to 5th grade and above.

From the night in 1860 when Silas's dad is spirited away without explanation by three unsavory men, until the conclusion where all the generational threads of the story are woven together, my interest never wavered. Silas's mother died giving birth to him, and it seems that Mittenwool, a ghost, appeared and has remained by twelve year old Silas's side ever since. Since Silas is the only one who can see him, problems arise with other children so his Pa, Martin, provides his son an education, rich in poetry, ballads, literature, and science. Martin is a reclusive boot maker and photographer who has also dabbled in several inventions, including daguerreotypes, which is the process of transferring images onto paper. A few days after Pa is abducted, a bald faced horse arrives outside Silas's door, and Silas takes it as a sign to follow his Pa. Mittenwool goes with him but has serious reservations based on the fact that Silas's father has instructed him to stay home. The bald faced pony seems to know exactly the route to follow, and that includes a creepy bog inhabited by ghosts. They come upon a weathered old man named Enoch Farmer who says he's a Federal Marshal tracking a band of criminals. Applegate shares a generous author's note where she explains the symbolism, themes, and personal motivation for various aspects of the book. My favorite theme is the importance of connections. and this runs throughout the plot. For example, the ghost may not know how they died, but they remember who they loved, and that connection is never broken.
Genre is historical fiction with magical realism. It is difficult to identify an appropriate age group because it would appeal to a wide range of ages, especially upper middle school through adult. Would it make a good read aloud or book club selection? Yes. Is is a book I will read more than once? Yes. Highly Recommend.

I was unsure of this book before picking it up -- animal stories are not typically my thing. However, I was in for a pleasant surprise. Despite the title, this was not an "animal story" but a story of friendship, survival, and finding who you really are. Silas grows so much throughout his journey to find his pa and ends up really finding himself. I was also unsure of the "ghost" aspect, but Mittenwool was a beloved character and it was tied together so well as the end. In typical R.J. Palacio fashion, there were some tears shed. I will definitely be recommending this for all of my students as well as the state readers' award committee.

What a story! There is a great deal going on here, and I will be thinking about it for some time. Silas has been left alone (with the exception of his friend Mittenwool) after his father is abducted by a group of counterfeiters. His father’s instructions are to stay put at home! A pony that was with the group that took his dad returns back to Silas, and he feels led to search for his father. He joins up with Marshal Farmer who is in pursuit of the criminals, as he desperately searches for his pa. There is history, adventure, mystery, the supernatural and more all woven together. I think young readers are going to love this one!

Excellent book. I will be purchasing for my library and book talking it with students. I’ve already been talking about it with Wonder fans!

When Silas Bird's Pa is taken away by unknown ruffians in the middle of the night, he embarks on a quest with a mystery pony and his ghost companion to bring him back home.

This is a tough book to rate. The premise was a bit of a mess. There's mention of Silas being struck by lightning and then there's talk of his paranormal capabilities (but those have existed, seemingly and without explanation, since his birth). Then the whole thing becomes a Western thriller and there's a gang of counterfeiters and a curmudgeonly Marshal and a mysterious, beautiful, all-knowing pony and a comical Sherif and Deputy duo...There's just a lot to unpack! Especially for a middle-grade novel!

I think expectations were very high for Palacio's next novel. This was her first novel to leave the <u>Wonder</u>-verse that everyone hyped up so much. Honestly, <u>Wonder</u> is a fine book, it's just not one of my favorites. I honestly think I liked <u>Pony</u> even more. But I don't think kids will. As one of my students put it, it was "boring and confusing". And while I don't completely agree, there were definitely times where my eyes wandered off a page or times when I was curious as to where a connection or name or event was leading...Ultimately I just don't see this story being anywhere as successful as <u>Wonder</u>. And while I will recommend it to my historical fiction loving readers, I don't think I can recommend it to <u>Wonder</u> fans as it is just so vastly different.

I'm so glad that RJ Palacio won't be a one-hit wonder. Ooops. No pun intended.
Students ought to enjoy this historical-set mystery.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.

Wonder was a lot to live up to. Thankfully, while a very different story, Pony did not disappoint. Just as affecting, just as necessary for classroom and school libraries.