The Snow Pony
Alison Lester
Allen & Unwin
232p pbk
1-86448-930-8
TheRileys live on a cattle farm, and after three years of drought, their home, andtheir family, is falling apart. Amongthe many problems on the farm is the Snow Pony, the brumby that young Dustyloves. Only Dusty trusts andbelieves in the Snow Pony, and the Snow Pony trusts no one but Dusty.
Thisstory begins with Dusty at the age of eleven, and gradually follows her life asshe becomes older. The style ofwriting matures with Dusty, turning from a younger-reader style book that somemay find tedious into an older-reader style which is, over all, far moreenjoyable.
Thetheme is also mature, so readers who find the very tame opening dull, may find theadult themes and exciting situations that appear towards the end of the bookmore interesting.
Myfirst impression of this book was that it was a horse story: about horses, forhorse lovers. However, it is muchmore than that: it tells of the struggles of family life, the loss of oldfriends and the finding of new, and the hard times that can be faced on a farmduring drought.
Thestory is interesting, and the book is made more so by some beautiful smallphotos scattered throughout.
Thelanguage stays fairly simple throughout, and although there are quite excitingmoments, there is little suspense.
The beginning may be very boring andhard to get past for those that aren't head over heels for horses, but it'sworth sticking with because it eventually evolves into an enjoyable, easy toread story with a satisfying ending.
Christine, Year 9, NSW
It goes on to tellabout the terrible drought theyare having in the part of Australian bush/country whereshe lives, how her family manage all the problems that arrive during this harshdry summer and howshe, her friends and of course her "Snow Pony" helpthe family through.
This is definitely a book writtenfor horse lovers, it is aboutthe best 'horse story' that I've ever read probably.The writer manages to really paint a masterpieceof a picture in your mind placing you rightin the middle of the story. Probably for a large rangeof young readers, perhaps even 7-15, would understand it easily enough but wouldprobably do well even being readthree times spread over the span of these 8 years.
I thought thatthis book had some very tense and excitingmoments and highly recommend it to just about anyone.
Isaac,12, Sydney
TheSnow Ponyis an adventure/social realism book from Alison Lester who also brought us TheQuicksand Pony.
Thebook is about a girl named Dusty. When Dusty sees a gorgeous grey mare in thehigh plains she has to have it, but when she does finally get it she is the onlyone who can approach and the mare.
Threeyears later drought has destroyed the Rileys farm. Just before winter Dusty,her father and her brother ride up the high plains to muster there cattle backdown to there farm before the heavy snow fall that has been predicted begins toset in, but this is not the worst of there problems, half way up the high plainsthe Rileys run into a sudden eruption of violence.
TheSnow Pony was an excellent book to read; it was not only interesting, but itmade me feel as if I wanted to join them on there journey to the high plains. Ibelieve this book is best for the ages 9 to 15 and recommend it to anyone whoenjoys adventure, horses and action.
Carlie,Year 9, Canberra, ACT
AlisonLester's second novel about horses TheSnow Pony deserves to be a bestseller like her first novel! It is arealistic story about Dusty, her family and the brumby found by Dusty and herfather Jack when they go to check on their high plains house at the start ofspring. After her first glimpses of the mare Dusty is smitten by her and aftershe is eventually caught and trained she becomes Dusty's horse. Dusty usuallyhas a very close relationship with her stubborn and impatient father but oftenhe cannot appreciate this and he uses anger and alcohol to cope with problems.The family's farm is in the grip of a three year drought which is straining herparent's marriage and Dusty is expected to win showjumping prize money to helpher family stay above water, however, everything does not go according to Jack'splan and this threatens everyone's security. When Dusty and the Snow Pony arecalled upon to save Jack, Dusty shows just how brave and tenacious she can be.
Thisstory is far beyond the usual pony story with strong characters in asetting which is both beautiful and unforgiving.
Kaitlin,Canberra, ACT
