Back in the Saddle (7) (Marguerite Henry's Ponies of Chincoteague)
#7 of 120 in Pony Scouts Series
on Goodreads (133)
What’s inside...
Haley and her pony, Wings, enter a prestigious competition in this seventh book in a contemporary middle grade series in the tradition of Marguerite Henry’s Misty of Chincoteague. When Haley falls off Wings during an event and loses to her rival Riley, she is determined to practice continually to make sure it does not happen again. Haley has been focused on one goal with her pony entering an upcoming competition in the fall and winning. She’s so busy trying to make that happen that her grades drop and her family is worried. And then, when the big day finally arrives, Haley falls off Wings and is eliminated! It’s the worst thing she can imagine after all her hard work and sacrifice. Can she get back on her horse and regain her self-confidence?
Character compass
Shelby
Cheyenne
Discussion points
What do you think made the main characters want to help the ponies, and how would you feel if you were in their shoes?
How do the characters change throughout the story, and what lessons do they learn about friendship and responsibility?
If you had a pony like the ones in Chincoteague, how would you take care of it?
Why do you think teamwork is important, as shown in the story?
Can you think of a time when you helped an animal or a friend in need? How did that make you feel?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use open-ended questions that allow your child to express thoughts and emotions, connecting personal experiences with the story.
Encourage your child to imagine alternative scenarios within the book, enhancing critical thinking and empathy.
Discuss the importance of caring for animals and the environment, drawing parallels to the characters' actions in the story.
Create a nurturing environment for the conversation, validating your child’s feelings and thoughts, making them feel heard and understood.
Reinforce the morals from the story, like teamwork and responsibility, and relate them to real-life family or school situations.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: The characters in 'Back in the Saddle' take care of their ponies, demonstrating the importance of being responsible for another living being.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by taking on more responsibilities at home, such as caring for a pet or helping with household chores.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Throughout the book, the characters face challenges in their journey but continue to strive for their goals, illustrating the value of perseverance.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to persist through difficulties in their academic or extracurricular pursuits, understanding that success often requires effort and resilience.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: The story shows characters working together to overcome obstacles, highlighting the importance of collaboration.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to participate in group activities and understand the significance of teamwork in achieving collective goals.
Example Lesson: Friendship
Explanation: Strong bonds between characters are central to the narrative, emphasizing the role of friendship in providing support and happiness.
Real-World Application: Children can be motivated to cultivate and value friendships, learning to be supportive and kind peers.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: Characters in the book show empathy towards each other and the ponies, teaching the reader about understanding and sharing the feelings of others.
Real-World Application: This can help children develop emotional intelligence, improving their interactions and relationships with others by being more considerate and empathetic.