Books with title The Year of the Black Pony

The Fellows family has joined numerous others striving to make a go of homesteading in the Oregon high desert. But the venture has been disastrous from the start. Mr. Fellows, who is not a farmer, resents any advice from his wife, who grew up on a farm. Ma is not only troubled about the farming, but 7-year-old Ellie's chronic illness has become a source of constant worry and expense. 12-year-old Chris, who cannot seem to please his father no matter what he does, eases his own misery by stealing time away from work to watch a neighbor's scarcely broken black pony, only to get into more trouble. When it seems circumstances could not get worse for the struggling family, Fellows gets drunk and dies. Not willing to give up, Ma stubbornly-and creatively-seeks a way for the family to stay in Oregon. Frank Chase, an unintentional element in the death of Chris's father, is added to the mix and challenged by Ma to keep his word to help the family. The resultant dramatic and sometimes humorous contest of wills comes to a satisfying culmination when, after Frank's purchase of the wild black pony for Chris, Ma is reluctantly forced to once again use her "backbone of steel" for the good of all. Walt Morey's careful research and vivid storytelling talent warmly bring to life the struggles and triumphs of homesteading in the Oregon high desert country in the early 1900's.

The Fellows family has joined numerous others striving to make a go of homesteading in the Oregon high desert. But the venture has been disastrous from the start. Mr. Fellows, who is not a farmer, resents any advice from his wife, who grew up on a farm. Ma is not only troubled about the farming, but 7-year-old Ellie’s chronic illness has become a source of constant worry and expense. 12-year-old Chris, who cannot seem to please his father no matter what he does, eases his own misery by stealing time away from work to watch a neighbor’s scarcely broken black pony, only to get into more trouble. When it seems circumstances could not get worse for the struggling family, Fellows gets drunk and dies. Not willing to give up, Ma stubbornly—and creatively—seeks a way for the family to stay in Oregon. Frank Chase, an unintentional element in the death of Chris’s father, is added to the mix and challenged by Ma to keep his word to help the family. The resultant dramatic and sometimes humorous contest of wills comes to a satisfying culmination when, after Frank’s purchase of the wild black pony for Chris, Ma is reluctantly forced to once again use her “backbone of steel” for the good of all. Walt Morey’s careful research and vivid storytelling talent warmly bring to life the struggles and triumphs of homesteading in the Oregon high desert country in the early 1900’s.

Midnight considers himself to be the best trainer of young riders and quite accomplished in the complicated playday patterns of pole bending and barrel racing. However, his riders have outgrown him and now leave him behind, riding off on their taller, faster barrel racing horses.Midnight is lonely. He escapes his corral, but his freedom may cost him his life.Annie is the new kid in school. A sour experience she has had a few too many times this year, and she just can't fit in. She thinks she has finally made a new friend with Mary, but when Mary goes to a party with Janet and doesn't invite her, she is once again disappointed.But when Annie and Midnight finally meet, magic happens. Does the pony actually speak to Annie, or is it her own loneliness and longing for acceptance making her imagine impossible things. No time to ponder, she must draw from her horsemanship lessons from her Grandfather and work harder than she has in her entire life, if she is to save the pony from dying of colic.Come ride with Annie and Midnight in their adventures, caring for each other, competing in play-days, riding together on trail-rides..

Midnight considers himself to be the best trainer of young riders and quite accomplished in the complicated playday patterns of pole bending and barrel racing. However, his riders have outgrown him and now leave him behind, riding off on their taller, faster barrel racing horses.Midnight is lonely. He escapes his corral, but his freedom may cost him his life. Annie is the new kid in school. A sour experience she has had a few too many times this year, and she just can't fit in. She thinks she has finally made a new friend with Mary, but when Mary goes to a party with Janet and doesn't invite her, she is once again disappointed. But when Annie and Midnight finally meet, magic happens. Does the pony actually speak to Annie, or is it her own loneliness and longing for acceptance making her imagine impossible things. No time to ponder, she must draw from her horsemanship lessons from her Grandfather and work harder than she has in her entire life, if she is to save the pony from dying of colic. Come ride with Annie and Midnight in their adventures.