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kelly_e's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Title: Pony
Author: R.J. Palacio
Genre: Middle Grade
Rating: 4.50
Pub Date: September 28, 2021
T H R E E • W O R D S
Emotional • Absorbing • Heroic
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Twelve-year-old Silas is awoken in the dead of night by three menacing horsemen who take his father away. Silas is left shaken, scared, and alone, except for the presence of his companion, Mittenwool... who happens to be a ghost. When a pony shows up at his door, Silas makes the courageous decision to leave his home and embark on a perilous journey to find his father. Along the way, he will face his fears to unlock the secrets of his past and explore the unfathomable mysteries of the world around him.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Wonder is one of those stories that has stuck with me years later, so when I saw a couple of raving reviews for Pony (by the same author), I decided to add it to my TBR. Thanks to an interlibrary loan from my local library I was able to read a physical copy while listening to the audiobook. It was certainly a step outside my comfort zone in terms of genre, yet I knew there would be a powerful underlying message.
What an epic and adventurous journey! Driven by his mother's love, Silas' is wise and brave beyond his years. The writing and crafting of this story is absolutely incredible. Even the ghost element felt entirely believable. At times I felt as though I was sitting on Silas' shoulder and right there alone with him in his quest to find his father. From the wartime atmosphere to the vivid history which seemed so real, this story is about the connections between people, both the living and the dead.
Pony is a coming-of age Western spanning an extraordinary journey of self-discovery, full of heart, and exploring themes of love and how it never dies. It gave me goosebumps and it certainly made me tear up at various points. I'd recommend R.J. Palacio's writing to both young and old alike as each of her stories offers something valuable.
📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• Palacio's writing
• middle grade
• genre blending stories
⚠️ CW: death, death of parent, child death, grief, violence, gun violence, murder, bullying, injury/injury detail, blood, war, colonization, drowning
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Even if we can’t see it, the sun never stops shining."
"The connections that bind us are astounding, as I’ve noted. The invisible threads weave in and around us in places and at times that we may not ever see, or that only make sense over time."
"If life is a journey to the great unknown, then death must be a journey too. And while some people might know exactly where they’re going, other people might not. Maybe they meander a little, not sure where they’re headed, or feel a bit lost. Maybe they need a map, like foreigners in a new country. They’re looking for landmarks. A compass. Instructions on where to go."
Author: R.J. Palacio
Genre: Middle Grade
Rating: 4.50
Pub Date: September 28, 2021
T H R E E • W O R D S
Emotional • Absorbing • Heroic
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Twelve-year-old Silas is awoken in the dead of night by three menacing horsemen who take his father away. Silas is left shaken, scared, and alone, except for the presence of his companion, Mittenwool... who happens to be a ghost. When a pony shows up at his door, Silas makes the courageous decision to leave his home and embark on a perilous journey to find his father. Along the way, he will face his fears to unlock the secrets of his past and explore the unfathomable mysteries of the world around him.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Wonder is one of those stories that has stuck with me years later, so when I saw a couple of raving reviews for Pony (by the same author), I decided to add it to my TBR. Thanks to an interlibrary loan from my local library I was able to read a physical copy while listening to the audiobook. It was certainly a step outside my comfort zone in terms of genre, yet I knew there would be a powerful underlying message.
What an epic and adventurous journey! Driven by his mother's love, Silas' is wise and brave beyond his years. The writing and crafting of this story is absolutely incredible. Even the ghost element felt entirely believable. At times I felt as though I was sitting on Silas' shoulder and right there alone with him in his quest to find his father. From the wartime atmosphere to the vivid history which seemed so real, this story is about the connections between people, both the living and the dead.
Pony is a coming-of age Western spanning an extraordinary journey of self-discovery, full of heart, and exploring themes of love and how it never dies. It gave me goosebumps and it certainly made me tear up at various points. I'd recommend R.J. Palacio's writing to both young and old alike as each of her stories offers something valuable.
📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• Palacio's writing
• middle grade
• genre blending stories
⚠️ CW: death, death of parent, child death, grief, violence, gun violence, murder, bullying, injury/injury detail, blood, war, colonization, drowning
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Even if we can’t see it, the sun never stops shining."
"The connections that bind us are astounding, as I’ve noted. The invisible threads weave in and around us in places and at times that we may not ever see, or that only make sense over time."
"If life is a journey to the great unknown, then death must be a journey too. And while some people might know exactly where they’re going, other people might not. Maybe they meander a little, not sure where they’re headed, or feel a bit lost. Maybe they need a map, like foreigners in a new country. They’re looking for landmarks. A compass. Instructions on where to go."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, and Grief
Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Death, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Colonisation and War
drowningaugustgrace's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Haunting, mysterious, smart, and a good touch of humor. It felt like reading a book from my childhood. It doesn't pander to the younger audience for which it's intended, but treats them as fully capable of enjoying and understanding the story. Absolutely great!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Blood, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Colonisation
cait's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism, Body horror, Bullying, Child death, Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
shieldbearer's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I picked this up on a whim and enjoyed it far more than I expected. I definitely recommend this one and I loved Mittenwool and Silas' dynamic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Violence, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Police brutality, Colonisation, and Classism
Minor: War