Wow. I didn’t expect to like this book this much. Probably my favourite read of 2021 so far.

I loved Wonder and was expecting a degree of disappointment, but I think this is possibly even better. It is just so different in terms of its theme. In theory it’s probably a historical novel. In practice, it’s just an amazing coming of age story.

Can’t wait to see what’s next from the author in the future <3

I was intrigued to read this new book by the author of Wonder - what would it be like? I wasn't sure what to expect, but it certainly wasn't this - an historical American ghost story - completely different to the very contemporary Wonder.

Silas can see ghosts - that's what makes him different, and in a way he is like Auggie here. Being different makes life difficult and so Silas, like Auggie, doesn't go to school. But his solitary life at home with his father and friend Mittenwool is brought to an abrupt end when armed men in horseback arrive one night and take his father away. When Pony returns, Silas and Mittenwool set off to find him - it's as if Pony was sent to lead the way. Their journey takes many twists and turns and the story ultimately goes beyond this original quest, exploring themes of friendship, history and truth. Photography is important to the story and I also really enjoyed reading the author's notes on photography and spiritualism.

A heart-warming read - Silas is an innocent, but brave and resilient, and I love Mittenwool - which I enjoyed reading, but I don't think this is likely to have the same broad appeal of Wonder.

I remain slightly puzzled about the title of this book. Pony is a lovely pony, no doubt about it, but Silas's real friend is Mittenwool and Pony is not nearly as interesting or important to the story.

This is a simply wondrous book for children and adults alike. I wasn’t sure whether I’d like it based on the description, but I was hooked from the first page and finished it in one sitting because I couldn’t bear to put it down!

The book is nominally about a boy’s mission to rescue his father, but it’s so much more than that. It’s a difficult book to do justice to in a review because the themes so rather odd on paper. You have to read it to appreciate it! What I can say is that it’s beautifully atmospheric and the narrative voice is incredibly personable. The author has done a phenomenally good job of researching for the book (R J Palacio was already high in my estimations after Wonder, but she’s secured a place as one of my favourite children’s authors after this!). This book is reminiscent of a number of children’s classics and will surely become a classic in itself.

Pony is set during the mid-1800s, and begins when 12-year-old Silas Bird wakes in the middle of the night to find three frightening horse-men have arrived to take his father away. When a pony appears at the door, Silas decides to ride after the men with his friend Mittenwool - who’s a ghost!

Pony is the latest novel by R. J. Palacio. Although very different in premise to Palacio’s earlier novel, Wonder, it’s just as sensitive and inspiring and will stay with you long after reading. Perfect for any age.

Full review will be in PaperBound Magazine’s Autumn 2021 issue (PaperBoundMag.com) - out September.

A great read. Adventure, history, and original storytelling bring this hard-to-categorise book to readers eagerly awaiting the next book to come after Wonder. Pony has some interesting name suggestions throughout the story but Pony sticks until the end. Themes of anguish, friendship and resilience drive the narrative along.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

After reading ‘Wonder’ and it securing a place in my Literary heart, I knew I had to read this latest offering by the phenomenal author that is R.J. Palacio. I’m always impressed when authors can change their tact and expand their writing by venturing into unfamiliar territory. Pony was of its own entity- new and original. For this reason (and many more), I loved the story. Bravery is a strong theme in this one, accompanied by some stunning descriptive writing and a mystical plot.

The author of Wonder is back. This time, the book is set in 1860s America. When Silas’s father is abducted by outlaws, Silas sets out to find him. He’s accompanied by a pony belonging to one of the outlaws and his friend Mittenwool, who’s a ghost. Twists and turns abound. Part adventure, part Wild West coming of age, Pony has been marketed as a children’s book, but will no doubt be enjoyed by a wide range of readers.

After reading Palacio's Wonder and the spins offs from that I was a little worried that all her books would be on the same lines so approached this with some trepidation, however I really needn't have worried.

It is hard to categorise this book - it is part western, part crime drama, part ghost story and part family story but it is sooo much more than all of these parts and just a wonderful book that keeps you guessing right up to the end when it ties all the strands up in a brilliant way.

Tonally this book reminds me of Eva Ibbotson's Journey to the River Sea - ostensibly a older middle grade/young YA novel but at the same time completely universal and as gripping as any adult book. A real cross generational read.

A brilliant little story about loyalty, love and the brilliance of animals (perhaps not a main point of the book, but one of my take aways all the same). I could have read it in an afternoon, but savoured it ‘cause I knew I’d be sad when it was over (and I was).

I absolutely loved this book! It is a pretty gentle story pace-wise but the action is plenty enough to keep the pages turning whilst also providing lots of description of the characters, the environment and the issues of the time period.
The characters of Silas and Mittenwool are beautiful and the spiritual aspects of the novel are well rounded and matter of fact, making it seem completely right that Silas is sensitive to spirits without making the reader feel it is a step too far into fantasy.
The story is beautiful and courageous, just like Silas and Mittenwool!

R.J. Pelacio' s Pony is a poignant tale of friendship, bravery, growing up and loss. As with Wonder, the author has written a narrative that is full of emotion, love, acceptance and loss. It is beautifully written as expected and has the potential to grip the reader's imagination. As historical fiction, it touches on Native American history with the addition of atmospheric daguerreotypes that introduce each chapter, which is a nice touch. There are some inconsistencies in the text in places; the ghosts Silas sees come across as ambiguous and vague and plays into unfortunate tropes of Indian nations that no longer exist and it's a shame all characters are white. Recommended for ages 12+

When Silas Bird wakes in the dead of night, he watches powerlessly as three strangers 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. But then a mysterious pony shows up at his door, and Silas knows what he has to do. So begins a perilous journey to find his father - a journey that will connect him with his past, his future, and the unknowable world around him.

Wow! This book was so different from R. J Palacio's Wonder but it is equally as noteworthy. This book is told from the perspective of Silas, whose father is taken away by a gang of men on horseback in the dead of night.
When the hauntingly beautiful horse returns Silas believes it a sign that he pursues them.
This was an amazing narrative about a remarkable young man with a colourful past and an unusual gift. An absolutely brilliant read and one I have no doubt will remain with me for a long, long time.

Twelve-year-old Silas’ father is taken away by outlaws in the dead of night. Silas only has his friend Mittenwool, who happens to be a ghost, for company. When a pony arrives at his door, Silas makes the courageous decision to leave his home and embark on a perilous journey to find his father.

Silas’ quest is quite simply magical. The characters he meets along the way have been skilfully brought to life on the page. The beautiful friendships created are very special and left me feeling that there is so much good where we might least expect it. It is a perfect book to read with a class of students, as there is so much to discuss in terms of choices made, characterisation, the notion of the afterlife and so much more.

I was particularly taken by the role played by spirits in the book and Silas’ connection to them. His friendship with Mittenwool was a gorgeous one and I loved how it panned out as the book progressed.

I found this such a emotional read. The links between the characters and the love and companionship formed by the bonds they make is quite simply stunning. This is a beautifully moving, spiritual book, which will stay with me for a long time. Highly recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Children’s Publishers for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved Wonder, so was intrigued by this book. Set in the 1860s, Silas is homeschooled by his Pa, has Argos, the dog, and Mittenwool, a ghost, for friends. One evening 3 men kidnap his Pa; this is the story of how Silas, along with a mysterious white faced pony, as well as Mittenwool, set off to find him.

Its a beautifully written story, obviously well researched and plotted. It’s evocative of the era, and the unusual child that Silas is. It’s a tale of love and determination, of ghosts, life after death and faith. I enjoyed the authors notes at the end, which explains the research she put in, and also why the characters come to life so well, with fully rounded back stories, making them all the more believable. So different from Wonder but written with the same passion and love. Although it’s in the children’s fiction genre, this is a book for everyone. My only complaint, I read it so quickly, as I needed to know what happened next. But it’ll be one of the few I read again. One of the best books I’ve read this year,

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

My children loved me reading this book to them. Very much so they want me to purchase the book for them. It was very well written and flowed well. Nice storyline

Loved Wonder so requested this. It is nothing like Wonder but every bit as enthralling.
It was one of those books that I really wanted to linger over but didn't: I galloped through (pun intended) as I wanted to know what happened. And the ending didn't disappoint.
The section at the end where the author has described all the research he did to write the book was fascinating: I've heard before that really good writers - like really good actors - research the back story of their characters even if those characters are minor and even if the backstory never appears in the finished product. Really interesting to hear how this author has done just that and probably explains why the characters - even the ghosts - feel so real.
I also loved the photos in between each section. Really evocative.

Silas lives with his Pa, having been brought up by him after his Mother died in childbirth. They are close. Pa has homeschooled Silas who was very sensitive, a difference picked up on in his little amount of schooling by other children who teased him and also by the teacher who demanded he conform and rapped his knuckles when he didn’t. After that Pa took him out of school and gave him a far more rounded education. He also tried to teach him practical skills, although Silas’ sensitivity meant he was frightened of the forest they lived near by, having seen what Silas knew to be ghosts on one trip.
Silas also had ‘an imaginary’ friend. Silas acknowledged to himself that Mittenwood too was a ghost ,but this was difficult to say to others, so he has learned to keep his presence quiet.
One day strangers arrived at their home asking for Mac Boat to accompany them for a purpose and threatened the pair if Silas’ Pa did not go with them. After denying he was that man, Pa reluctantly agreed to go with them, instructing Silas to remain at home until his return. Silas was not happy, but did as he was told, until the return of 2 of the men who tried to persuade Silas to go with them too. Silas managed to get rid of the men, but later the Pony them had brought along for Silas to ride returned alone and Silas became convinced his Pa needed help and he was the only one to give that help. So he leaves on the Pony, hoping he will lead him to his Pa. Along the way he meets Sheriff Farmer who is much more competent about survival in the forest and he too is chasing after the same men. Inspite of forbidding Silas to go with him, the pair proceed until they discover the cave in which the men are holed up.
Silas has been helped along the way by Mittenwood who feeds him information including the fact that Pa is indeed in the cave, held prisoner. The only way into this cave is either a long track around the mountain or across a wide jump which the Sheriff is convinced they can jump on the horses. At this point the situation becomes difficult for Silas who is told by the Sheriff to go for help.
With reinforcements Silas hopes they can rescue his Pa and return to their peaceful lives.
This is an adventure story, but it’s one that involves ghosts which can frighten or can reassure and Silas’ ability to connect with this world helps him navigate his path as well as helping others. It is a story of friendship- and that can be spirit or human to animal - as long as you trust. There is no conventional happy ending, but a satisfying one and Silas grows up throughout.

What a magical book. A wonderful adventure that has kept me reading all day. This is the story of Silas, a boy who has never really fitted in so has no friends other than a ghost. Silas and his father are very close. One night his father is kidnapped by a group of men, leaving twelve year old Silas alone with just his ghost friend and dog. When a beautiful mysterious pony turns up Silas decides to leave his house to go and find his father. There are some incredibly tense moments in this book and a few frightening ones that kept me hooked. The clever twists are emotional and very satisfying. I can’t imagine anyone being disappointed with this story and will wholeheartedly recommend it.

Twelve year old Silas wakes in the middle in the night and helplessly watches how three strangers takes his father away. He is alone and scared, his only companion is a Mittenwool, the ghost friend. When a pony comes to his house, Silas decides to find beloved father and a journey across an American landscape begins - the journey of great danger, new friends and enemies. Also many secrets start to reveal themselves.

Characters and the plot are captivating, narrative beautiful, full of drama and terrific pacing. Moving read for all generations.

Wonderful story about the power of love.

I suspect, like many others, I requested this book because of how much I loved Wonder. I had a slight reservation, as the blurb mentions ghosts and this is not something that I am interested in. The story follows a boy trying to trace his father, who was taken away in the night, by a group of men. At first, I found the book difficult to get into and I'm not sure I'd have recognised that this was written by the same author as Wonder, but I am so glad that I stuck with it. The story is wonderful and has the most perfect ending but without being too daft and I'd say that the ghost, Mittenwool, is far more of an imaginary friend so please don't be put off if you don't usually like ghost stories!