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I've still got a few of these oldies from my days in elementary school, buying books from Weekly Reader book faires at school. I've heard that WR isn't really around as we knew it--if you're about my age anyhow--Scholastic still does the same format, as well as publish a weekly magazine like WR used to.
If you're looking for other books I've reviewed that I had gotten from WR book faires , try The Shrieking Skull, Ghost in the Garden, and The Empty Grave. While the last book in the list is the oldest book of all of them (at a ripe age of being published in 1974), The Ghost Pony-- first published under the much more fitting title The Mystery of Pony Hollow--was apparently published around 1978. Written by Lynn Hall and illustrated by Ruth Sanderson, this short book (just about 64 pages) follows the curious pony aficionado Sarah on her journey to find out what happened to the ponies that used to live on the farm her parents have just bought.
Sarah is a standard young reader protagonist: curious, kind, and tenacious when it comes to ponies, of which she loves. Her own pony, Panda, was bought by careful earnings from side-jobs which shows a good work ethic. If you're a horse fan, you'll note the loving details of riding out on a pony or the chores involved with keeping a stable. Its not too technical, but descriptive enough to draw a fairly strong image. This book reminds me of a friend I had in elementary school who loved horses, and she'd teach me to pantomime getting a horse ready for riding at recess more often than not. I can say I'm nowhere near a good study for such things with my imagination alone, but the book brings back those warm fun memories.
Sarah and Panda happen upon an old abandoned stone house, where they hear the sounds of a captive horse within. Panda spooks, while Sarah breaks open the door with a rock to find, predictably, nothing living there, at least not within the last few minutes or indeed even recent memory. She finds a horse skeleton with a bridle that has a name tag bearing the name Orberon, the same name of a plate in the stable in which Panda now resides. Figuring this dead horse was part of the mine ponies that were imported to the farm she now lives on, Sarah sets out to determine what happened to Orberon, why he was locked in this house, and what happened to the old Makenna ponies. What follows is a small mystery that takes Sarah to old acquaintances and the sad, lonely story of one old man.
The mystery of Oberon is told in a rather steady pace, with little slow down in her search for answers. Sarah does everything within a young child's power to find these answers, checking phone books, talking to people connected to the long gone family, even riding dangerously along a busy road to see the old groomer that once took care of the ponies. Since the book isn't very long, I wouldn't imagine the entire book could make even a short length movie, but that doesn't mean it isn't a good story. When Sarah finally finds her answers, its not a perfect or joyous ending. It is in fact still something painful and relatable for anyone who has loved a pet, be it horse or dog. The old man's pleas for Sarah to "let him out" still make me tear up after all these years. Its not a story that's completely original, nor indeed new, but its a story that's simple, straightforward and honest.
I do argue that the publications that came after the initial one, The Ghost Pony, to me seemed more like it was capitalizing on a ghost theme more than the mystery, which made its first publishing title much more fitting. The ghost elements are really few and far between, happening only twice: at the beginning and at the end, with even Sarah rationalizing that perhaps she was hearing things. Even for a child, Sarah holds herself to be a mature young girl, whom is steady headed and calm, even compassionate and accepting of the horse's ultimate sad fate. Its a good little piece of fiction that could help children deal with the feelings of losing a pet, or comforting those who have.
The illustrations are mainly done in pencils, with minimal coloring. This coloring is limited to light and dark magentas that serve to pop background or the figures of characters. The illustrations are solid, with good realism and nice detail, despite the fact its primarily shaded and rendered in pencils. It gives the work a soft look. You'll also note Sarah's clothing is decidedly, yet subtly, from the times the story was penned, with slight bell-bottoms. Its a cute touch that while doesn't hold up like other illustrations might, gives the book a nostalgic feeling.
If you can find the book online, I'd recommend it. Its probably going to be under $10, even under $5. If you're the type who has a young'in who loves ponies or horses, give this a try. The easy language and simple vocabulary are easy for even younger elementary students. Recommended!
--Dio (10/4/15)
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