Pony Swim

Marguerite Henry's Misty Inn #6

by Judy Katschke, Serena Geddes (Illustrations)

The Dunlaps prepare to host a respected travel writer during the busiest time of the year in this sixth book of a chapter book series inspired by Marguerite Henry’s Misty of Chincoteague.

It’s the week of the annual pony swim and Willa and Ben are excited! Misty Inn is fully booked for the days leading up to the swim and the auction of the foals, which takes place the following day. As if the island’s biggest event isn’t exciting enough, the Dunlaps get news that a travel critic/writer will be staying at the inn during that week. The kids are determined to show the special guest just how nice Misty Inn can be, but will they be able to prove it when they don’t even know who the critic is?

Genres: Realistic Fiction, Childrens

160 pages, Paperback

Published March 7, 2017

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm so surprised to find no written reviews of this book! I'm really enjoying this series. It has an old-fashioned charm while still feeling contemporary. Nice ambiance and I learned more about the ponies of Chincoteague and Assateague and the Pony Swim was fascinating (https://www.chincoteague.com/articles...) The mystery is fairly dull and a background to the pony action, which is fine with me. The identity of the mystery travel reviewer guest at the family's B&B seemed pretty obvious to me, though I do wish that the couple really had been elderly and not just in disguise. I get that kids will like the disguise factor, but I thought it would've been cool if they really were elderly because the kids in the book wrote them off as being old and retired and I love to see elderly people being active and belying the stereotypes.

[Renata Shura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again, a cute story, but I just can’t get over the misrepresentation of beaches on Chincoteague Island. There’s even a two page illustration of the kids with the pony and a huge beach with people sunbathing on it. The only beach near Chincoteague is the Assateague Island national seashore. I just can’t help help feeling bad for all the kids who will read these and have the wrong idea about watching Teague Island is truly like. And the thing is is that Chincoteague is a charming place and has many wonderful nooks and great places, but you can’t ignore the fact that it is a tourist attraction and completely gloss over that fact. The fact that the copyright is owned by the estate of Marguerite. Henry is stunning. Marguerite, who is so well known for being meticulous with her research and presenting her settings accurately. Sad.