The Winter Pony

Gr 4–7—James Pigg is a white pony that died under horrific circumstances about 100 years ago as a member of Captain Robert Falcon Scott's ill-fated race to the South Pole against explorer Roald Amundsen. Relaying the grim realities of the brutal expedition from the perspective of an animal demonstrates the author's genius. From his capture in the wilds to his brutal forced labor and subsequent purchase for the Scott expedition, Jimmy is a marvelous blend of humanlike awareness and a purely four-footed animal nature. As the adventure progresses, Jimmy posits a sort of pony heaven, develops a personal code of conduct, and even eavesdrops through tent walls as the leaders discuss expedition strategy. At the same time, the pony is often afraid, full of self-doubt, has a wickedly funny sense of irony, and is fully aware that he is but a tool to be abused in pursuit of humans' largely unfathomable goals. Through Jimmy's dedicated, obedient, and observant eyes, the horrific details of this tragically flawed expedition's failures are rendered all the way to its brutal and lamentable end. Nonetheless, the horrors he witnesses are gently muted, as through an icy fog, to a level appropriate for the intended audience. Brief facts about the Amundsen team's progress and other historical details are covered in occasional sections that are interspersed throughout the text, and in the author's note.—Joel Shoemaker, formerly at South East Junior High School, Iowa City, IA