A Pony Called Lightning

This is a great story. Miriam E. Mason goes to great lengths to write a story readers will appreciate. Her characters are warm and colorful, her details are real and varied, and the events of her story are interesting enough to draw the reader along the lifespan of a wild pony. Lightning's story begins with his birth. He lives on the great plains with the plains indians, buffalo, snakes, rabbits, and gophers. For the first 10 chapters he discovers the world around him with the wisdom of his mother. He learns the dangers of the world and Mason does a great job of revealing nature through the eyes of a horse. Lightning races everything, the snakes, the wind, the lightning. When he is adopted by a young indian, his life changes completely. This book is very easy to read. Simple sentences with familiar words make this 121 page novel a good book for young readers. Though it isn't illustrated, the author's details paint enough pictures for the curious minds of children. Action is appropriate for younger readers and content is mild. There is no magic, just nature, and the life of a pony as he becomes the stallion ride of an indian boy, and eventually the beloved friend of a young girl in a prairie family. Kids who love horses will love this story. Struggling readers will find an easy quick read. Highly recommended.