Prince of Ponies

Stacy Gregg masterfully weaves an adventurous and courageous story based on real life events from Nazi Germany, when Hitler was not only hoping to breed a master human race, but also superior horses. ‘Prince of Ponies’ is a dual narrative, Zofia’s harrowing story beginning in Poland in 1945 is woven with the present day story of Mira, a refugee from Syria.

A chance encounter when Mira stumbles across Zofia’s horse in the woods, begins a life changing friendship between the young Mira and elderly Zofia.

'Prince of Ponies’ is a descriptive delight, “The proportions of his face were so perfect they were almost unreal, from the deep curve of his concave profile to the taper and flare of his sooty velvet muzzle.” It is fast paced (like a cantering horse!) dipping between the two timelines, which made it hard for me to put down and I think young readers will feel the same.

I must admit that I always naively thought Stacy Gregg’s novels were just for readers who love horses, I was so wrong, and I am looking forward to recommending this book to students who love adventure, history, friendship (and not just for the horse stories!)

Title: Prince of Ponies

Author: Stacy Gregg

Publisher: HarperCollins

ISBN: 9780000833231

RRP: $25

Format: Hardback

Date of Publication: October 2019

Ages: 9-12

Reviewer: Louana McCormack, Opaheke School, Auckland

How highly are you recommending this book? Highly recommended

What’s the book’s opening sentence? Zofia edged her way down the ladder in total darkness, feeling her way with bare feet from step to step.

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