What do you think?
The Pony Question
The happiness of a young girl and a pony in desperate need of saving depends on the other. Essie doesn't believe in signs or wishing on stars.
She likes facts, and the fact is, she's left her love of horses firmly in the past.
She doesn't want a new horse and she certainly doesn't need one, not with the price she'd have to pay.
That's a line she just won't cross. But the universe has other ideas.
Essie may not need a pony, but there's a pony that needs her.
But taking on a pony without a past brings a lot of unanswered questions, and in searching for answers Essie is going to have decide if to go forward, she is able to forgive the past.
She likes facts, and the fact is, she's left her love of horses firmly in the past.
She doesn't want a new horse and she certainly doesn't need one, not with the price she'd have to pay.
That's a line she just won't cross. But the universe has other ideas.
Essie may not need a pony, but there's a pony that needs her.
But taking on a pony without a past brings a lot of unanswered questions, and in searching for answers Essie is going to have decide if to go forward, she is able to forgive the past.
- GenresHorses
256 pages, Paperback
Published July 1, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 17, 2020
I really enjoyed this and will be reading Jackie Merchant's other book The Promise Horse soon.
Essie was a lovely character and I loved reading along as she and her mother accidentally buy a neglected pony at auction. Moxie was a sweet horse and I liked how all their neighbours and friends pitched in to help get her settled in. Essie's not so great relationship with her father was handled well and I appreciated that he was not a villainous caricature.
The that is the focus of the final part of the novel was interesting and I was very pleased with the conclusion!
Essie was a lovely character and I loved reading along as she and her mother accidentally buy a neglected pony at auction. Moxie was a sweet horse and I liked how all their neighbours and friends pitched in to help get her settled in. Essie's not so great relationship with her father was handled well and I appreciated that he was not a villainous caricature.
The that is the focus of the final part of the novel was interesting and I was very pleased with the conclusion!
December 9, 2022
3.5 rounded up
I liked Essie and Francesca and Moxie and their eccentric crew of neighbours - their interactions were deeply lovable and showed that deeply truly kind heart of being part of a community. The ending came a bit abruptly for me - I felt that the father needed to do a bit more work on his and Essie's relationship, rather than Essie being the bigger person (instead of the adult maybe growing the hell up and doing a bit of role modelling) and just deciding to forgive him so she could have him be present.
I liked Essie and Francesca and Moxie and their eccentric crew of neighbours - their interactions were deeply lovable and showed that deeply truly kind heart of being part of a community. The ending came a bit abruptly for me - I felt that the father needed to do a bit more work on his and Essie's relationship, rather than Essie being the bigger person (instead of the adult maybe growing the hell up and doing a bit of role modelling) and just deciding to forgive him so she could have him be present.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2020
Since her parent’s separation two years ago, twelve-year-old Essie lives with her mother, Francesca, who runs her own furniture restoration business in country NSW. Her father, Steve, lives in an apartment in Sydney with his new wife Caroline. He has a well-paying job and travels often to do business deals. Before the separation, Essie and her Dad spent many weekends going to dressage competitions with Essie’s horse, Chet. However, Steve was motivated by success and was only interested in winning. Whereas, Essie enjoyed competing regardless of the result.
Steve ruined the experience for Essie when he gave her horse pain killers so they could compete in a dressage championship. The drugs were picked up in a random test and Essie was ban for twelve months. She decided she was finished with horses.
The Pony Question begins when Essie accompanies Francesca on one of her many trips to an auction to buy old furniture. Francesca is momentarily distracted by a phone call and accidentally bids for a neglected pony which no one wants. Suddenly Essie is thrown back into the world of horses. With the help of friendly neighbours, Essie nurses the pony back to health and strength. She then faces the challenge, will she ride again?
The author, Jackie Merchant, does a good job of describing how Essie is forced to confront her love of horses and untangle her desires from those of her Dad’s. This is a well-written and reflective story of growing up and separating ourselves from our parents’ expectations. My only slight negative was the horse terminology which wasn’t always explained.
Overall a thoughtful read.
The Voyage of the Sparrowhawk is an exciting, fast-paced adventure. The heroes of the story are Ben and Lotti who are both 13 years-old and orphans. They set out to find Ben’s brother who has been declared missing in France, following the aftermath of World War I. They are also running away from their current living arrangements which are less than satisfactory.
Lotti’s aunt and uncle moved into Lotti’s parental home following the death of her parents. They never had children themselves and their only interest in Lotti was her wealth. They sent Lotti off to boarding school until she orchestrated her expulsion so she could come home, much to the chagrin of her aunt and uncle. Lotti had a grandmother in France who she visited regularly when her parents were alive but she hasn’t heard from her for some years.
Ben spent the first four years of his life in an orphanage until he and another orphan, Sam, were adopted by Nathan. Nathan had become a signwriter following a boatyard accident which damaged his leg. The three of them lived happily on the boat, The Sparrowhawk until the war took Sam to France where he was injured. Nathan travelled to France to see Sam but is killed in a bombing attack. Ben was left in the care of a neighbour but following news of the death of her husband, she decided to go and live with her sister. She offered to take Ben with her, but he told her that he had received a letter from the War Office and expected Sam home soon. There was no such letter. The local policeman, concerned about a minor living on his own, decided to investigate and it was time for Lotti and Ben to make their escape.
There is quite a lot of backstory and Natasha Farrant does well to keep the early part of the story moving. The adult characters who come and go throughout the story keep the focus on the children, though it does lead to a sense of “head-hopping.” The story ends well and the children find security for their futures.
The Voyage of the Sparrowhawk, is a story of hope and perseverance, taking risks and rising to challenges. Ben and Lotti are likeable and relatable which makes for an enjoyable read.
Thanks to Christian School Supplier for providing a free book for review.
Steve ruined the experience for Essie when he gave her horse pain killers so they could compete in a dressage championship. The drugs were picked up in a random test and Essie was ban for twelve months. She decided she was finished with horses.
The Pony Question begins when Essie accompanies Francesca on one of her many trips to an auction to buy old furniture. Francesca is momentarily distracted by a phone call and accidentally bids for a neglected pony which no one wants. Suddenly Essie is thrown back into the world of horses. With the help of friendly neighbours, Essie nurses the pony back to health and strength. She then faces the challenge, will she ride again?
The author, Jackie Merchant, does a good job of describing how Essie is forced to confront her love of horses and untangle her desires from those of her Dad’s. This is a well-written and reflective story of growing up and separating ourselves from our parents’ expectations. My only slight negative was the horse terminology which wasn’t always explained.
Overall a thoughtful read.
The Voyage of the Sparrowhawk is an exciting, fast-paced adventure. The heroes of the story are Ben and Lotti who are both 13 years-old and orphans. They set out to find Ben’s brother who has been declared missing in France, following the aftermath of World War I. They are also running away from their current living arrangements which are less than satisfactory.
Lotti’s aunt and uncle moved into Lotti’s parental home following the death of her parents. They never had children themselves and their only interest in Lotti was her wealth. They sent Lotti off to boarding school until she orchestrated her expulsion so she could come home, much to the chagrin of her aunt and uncle. Lotti had a grandmother in France who she visited regularly when her parents were alive but she hasn’t heard from her for some years.
Ben spent the first four years of his life in an orphanage until he and another orphan, Sam, were adopted by Nathan. Nathan had become a signwriter following a boatyard accident which damaged his leg. The three of them lived happily on the boat, The Sparrowhawk until the war took Sam to France where he was injured. Nathan travelled to France to see Sam but is killed in a bombing attack. Ben was left in the care of a neighbour but following news of the death of her husband, she decided to go and live with her sister. She offered to take Ben with her, but he told her that he had received a letter from the War Office and expected Sam home soon. There was no such letter. The local policeman, concerned about a minor living on his own, decided to investigate and it was time for Lotti and Ben to make their escape.
There is quite a lot of backstory and Natasha Farrant does well to keep the early part of the story moving. The adult characters who come and go throughout the story keep the focus on the children, though it does lead to a sense of “head-hopping.” The story ends well and the children find security for their futures.
The Voyage of the Sparrowhawk, is a story of hope and perseverance, taking risks and rising to challenges. Ben and Lotti are likeable and relatable which makes for an enjoyable read.
Thanks to Christian School Supplier for providing a free book for review.
July 28, 2025
enjoyed this but not as much as the promise horse
likes: horses!, set in australia, complex family, essie and fransesca's relationship, the horse clinic at the end
dislikes: essie's dad and how he seems to sort of get away with his shitty behaviour in the end, essie felt a lot older than 12
"the past is done and gone. if you don't like the story you keep hearing, it's up to you to write a new one... there are other possible endings, essie, and you can choose which one to grab onto because that will mean anew start too. sometimes the scariest part is just trying to reach for what you want"
likes: horses!, set in australia, complex family, essie and fransesca's relationship, the horse clinic at the end
dislikes: essie's dad and how he seems to sort of get away with his shitty behaviour in the end, essie felt a lot older than 12
"the past is done and gone. if you don't like the story you keep hearing, it's up to you to write a new one... there are other possible endings, essie, and you can choose which one to grab onto because that will mean anew start too. sometimes the scariest part is just trying to reach for what you want"
April 23, 2024
A sensitive story and well told. A child grieving because of a parental divorce, feeling betrayed by her father and his new wife. A horse neglected by an unwilling owner. Together they find a way to move on from the past, towards a happier future.
I enjoyed the story, and think the descriptions of the child's emotions might well help others dealing with broken family relationships.
I enjoyed the story, and think the descriptions of the child's emotions might well help others dealing with broken family relationships.
January 5, 2021
Cute little story. At times it seemed to have way more detail than it needed, and at other times there was a whole heap skipped, but it was still a lovely, gentle read.
November 18, 2025
This writer uses 'lay' intransitively.
December 30, 2020
Pony mad goodness in an Australian setting which also weaves in a coming of age story.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews