Year of the Black Pony
This is a well-written, sensitive novel about a boy coming of age. Both boys and girls will enjoy it. It was one of the most enjoyable children's books I've read in some time. Set in the West in the late-nineteenth (or possibly early twenthieth) century, the book details the events following the death of Chris Fellows' father. Mr. Fellows had been an alcoholic dreamer of weak character. Mrs. Fellows is a strong-willed woman of farming stock who will do what is necessary to survive. Her solution is not one that Chris would have chosen, but all ends well. "Year of the Black Pony" contains little objectionable content, but there are enough conflict, guns, and horses to keep most readers' attention for some time.