Runaway Pony

Pony Pals #7

by Jeanne Betancourt

An early chapter book series featuring a group of young girls and their ponies.

Genres: Horses, Childrens, Fiction, Animals, Chapter Books, Contemporary, Middle Grade

83 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1995

About the author

When I was growing up I never thought of being an author. I was a terrible speller and didn't want to write any more than I had to. I wanted to be a tap dancer when I grew up. After a few years of teaching junior high and high school, I wrote my first novel. It was a surprise to discover that I liked making up stories and writing them down. I liked it so much that eventually I stopped teaching and became a fulltime writer.

Besides novels for children and young adults, I've also told stories by writing scripts for television and the movies.

I live on the top floor of a sixteen-story building near the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. From my apartment I have a view of Manhattan that includes the Empire State Building and the Plaza Hotel. In my free time I draw, paint, and read. I still love to dance.

Some people think that a writer's life is lonely. But when I'm writing a story I don't feel lonely because I am actively involved with lots of interesting people – the characters in my books. I love knowing that some day readers will get to know these characters, too. If you are one of my readers I hope you have as much enjoyment in reading my stories as I have writing them.

Reviews

[Samantha Osborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy this series it is so touching and heartfelt very wonderfully written.

[Kathryn (Dragon Bite Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read my series review on my blog Dragon Bite Books .

[Crystal Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good short quick book to get me back into reading

[JoReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Childhood favourite series (haven't read in a long time) giving all four stars unless it was a favourite as a child.

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pony gets out of her stable one night and wanders off... her young owner is distraught and the Pony Pals all search.

This is a short tale with no other real content, so not as good as some earlier books in the series. I didn't like that the pony's owner decides she would do better to give away her pony - no pony mad kid would think that way. Some nice details and the girls work together to solve the problems, good example.
This is an unbiased review.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I decided to read this book because I would like to share these books with my granddaughter. I also love horses. I enjoyed this story.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a chapter book and book 7 of the "Pony Pals" series. My now grown daughter LOVED these books as a child (she begin to read them when she was about 8) and read all of the ones in the series. I found her copy of many of them and decided to try and read them to see what they were like. You can read these as stand alone books; but the reader would understand and relate to the girls better if you read them in order. If you have to miss one 'here and there' it's not big deal; you won't be lost but just get the full effect better in order.

It's a nice storybook of friendship for three girls (all 5th graders) and the bond they form with each other and each of their ponies. In this story one of the girls learns that sometimes your beloved pet can and will get hurt or get sick but it's not your fault. Regardless of how much you love and care for them they will get hurt-get sick. In this story she has to deal with the thought that she made her pony sick but in the end she realizes that it wasn't her fault but it took her friends to help her see that.

As a mother reading these books I really appreciate the way Ms Betancourt has written about the girls putting their heads together and trying to work out problems together and coming up with solutions themselves. As the young adults they are becoming it gives the girls in the story the opportunity to think things through. Which helps readers know they could do the same thing to try and find solutions as the young adults they will be in a few years. Thus far in each of the books I've read of this series the girls have tried to come up with solutions to problems and that is such a good thing to teach children.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable book. Lulu was a little stupid, but I think we would all be tempted to be stupid when someone we loved went missing.

However, page 21 confused me. Her father is in Africa? I thought he was studying bears near Wiggins... Unless he left again, and I'm just not remembering it. EDIT: No, the previous book mentions he's writing an article on black bears in Wiggins... I'm halfway through the next book, and it mentions Lulu misses her dad... So, I guess the author forgot that her father was in Wiggins?

[Alisha Brook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pony Pals was one of my favourite "horsey" series growing up. Jeanne Betancourt has a writing skill that makes the books easy to read and interesting. I read many of the series and I was enthralled with each new story.

[Melissa Namba · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is more age appropriate than the Heartland series. This is about a trio of young girls, who love their ponies. When one pony escapes due to carelessness, Lulu feels the weight of responsibility. It's great that ownership is focused on, even though there us a cop out ending.

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked this series, but I think they are 10 years old, so I don't like reading books that the main girls are younger then me.
~Beth

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

read them all

[Meagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

good book

[Karysparis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was short, but fun to read. I am glad that the pony is alright!

[Alexandra Lindner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the series!!

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

AR Reading Level 3.6 AR Points 1.0

This one teaches the value of working together and not making hasty decisions. Good book.

[Bailey]

I love pets expecially horses and I very much want to start reading the book now. This and the other

horse books I chose. I can't wait to start reading these books I chose out.

[Kate Matson · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was younger, I loved horses! I read lots of these books and really enjoyed them. Of course, it's been a long time since I've read these, but I can assure you they are worth reading.

[Aruna Kumar Gadepalli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book relates to the Pony pals saving Snow White.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was a little sad for me in certain spots, but I enjoyed how well it all worked out.