The Winter Pony

February 1, 2012

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

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2012
A small gray pony selected for use in Captain Robert Scott's 1911 polar expedition, the newly named James Pigg finds himself being treated kindly for the first time in his life, particularly by his handler, expedition member Patrick Keohane. But the harsh Antarctic terrain is unforgiving. The fall depot-laying trip (caching supplies for a spring run to the pole) nearly claims our horse- narrator's life several times as the cold and snow take their toll and unexpected dangers arise, although moments of humor lighten the mood. James Pigg winters over in a stall at the base camp, then is proud to join the expedition when the weather breaks. Lawrence tells the horse's tale in chapters alternating with italicized sections describing Scott's plans and preparations as well as those of his rival, Norwegian explorer Amundsen. Although the gripping survival narrative is thoroughly researched, tautly written, and maintains a consistent historical tone, Lawrence runs into difficulty with his audience. The kind of reader who selects a book with a horse protagonist (and a pretty pony pictured on the cover) will recoil from horse death after horse death, the final moments of which Lawrence makes poignant by portraying the human handlers' regrets. The last leg of the journey to the pole is particularly brutal, with the remaining horses (including James Pigg) being slaughtered and the explorers who reach the pole (five weeks after Amundsen) dying of cold and starvation. Hardened adventure junkies will celebrate the human spirit that even made such an attempt; most everyone else will reflect soberly on the cost. anita l. burkam

(Copyright 2012 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

July 1, 2012
The newly named James Pigg, a small gray pony selected for use in Captain Robert Scott's 1911 polar expedition, narrates this gripping survival story. The book is thoroughly researched and tautly written but filled with horse death after horse death. Hardened adventure junkies will celebrate the human spirit that even made such an attempt; most everyone else will reflect soberly on the cost.

(Copyright 2012 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)