THE WINTER PONY

If you ever wanted a pony as a kid, you'll love Ballerini's plucky and warmly personable "James Pigg," the Russian pony of the title. Ballerini will break your heart with his brave, bewildered rendering of the quest for the South Pole. This stunning vision of Robert Falcon Scott's failed attempt to win the Age of Exploration's last big prize in 1911-12 is ineffably sad but beautifully researched and written. Prebble fills in many blanks as the no-nonsense narrator. The titular pony has no way to understand that Scott chose ponies and motorized sledges for his race, while Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen chose sled dogs. Scott lost, and you may not be sorry that he did. James Pigg's struggles make Black Beauty's seem easy. This historical creative nonfiction is recommended for young adults (and adults). M.M.C. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2012]