Book Review: The Christmas Pony by Melody Carlson

The Christmas Pony by Melody Carlson
Publisher: Revell
Publish Date: September 1, 2012
Hardcover, 169 pages
ISBN: 9780800719272 



My Review:
I have come to think of reading Ms. Carlson's Christmas books as a tradition and while I have to read them a little early for me in the season, they never fail to bring me good cheer and warm feelings when I read one of them. The Christmas Pony is no exception, in fact I think it's one of her best of the last three years that I have been reading.

The story focuses around a young girl who's family is making it for their small town after the great depression in 1937. All Lucy really wants for Christmas is the pony that is down the road that is for sale of trade, but she knows she probably won't get it. But that doesn't stop her for praying for it. Lucy lives with her Grandmother and widowed Mother and they take in boarders to make extra money so Lucy thinks it's magical when she happens to run into a beautiful woman and a well-dressed man in town that need a place to stay. And that's where the story and the magic start. Getting to know Lucy, George, Miriam and even annoying Veronica make the magic of this book. I adored George and his quiet wisdom and sweet ways with Lucy and Miriam.

Once you start reading this you won't want to put it down, and it's easy to read in an hour or so since it's under 200 pages. The magic of the Christmas season in the book will enthrall you and even though life isn't perfect for this little family you will learn to enjoy the little things right along with them. When I finished the book, I wanted to hug my little family, tell them I love them and carry the magic of The Christmas Pony with us right through Thanksgiving and into Advent and the Christmas season. Ms. Carlson captures the magic of the simple life, love and the spirit of giving so perfectly that you can't help closing this book with a smile on your face even if you are facing troubles in your life.

So I encourage you to grab this book, it's a quick read. It's uplifting, it's romantic, it's sweet. It's nice to see life through the eyes of a child and appreciate things that way. The Christmas Pony is a lovely book that I may just have to read again before Christmas.

My rating: 5.0/5.0

Available September 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

About the Book:
Eight-year-old Lucy Turnbull knew better than to wish for a pony that Christmas in 1937. Her mother had assured her in no uncertain terms that asking for a pony was the same as asking for the moon. Besides, the only extra mouths they needed at their boarding house were the paying kind. But when an interesting pair of strangers comes to town, Lucy starts to believe her Christmas wishes might just come true after all. 

The queen of the Christmas novel, Melody Carlson pens another magical tale of expectation and excitement as one little girl dreams big and the impossible becomes possible.

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books with sales of more than five million. She is the author of several Christmas books from Revell, including the bestselling The Christmas Bus, The Christmas Dog, and Christmas at Harrington’s, which is being considered for a TV movie. She is also the author of many teen books, including Just Another Girl, Anything but Normal, Double Take, and the Diary of a Teenage Girl series. Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books in 2010 and 2011. She and her husband live in central Oregon. 

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***I received this book from the publisher for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any other way except receiving the book for free.  ***