Synopsis
Jane loves ponies. Luckily her Grandma Aggie has two. SweetPea is old and gentle. Jane learns how to ride on her. Popcorn — who was born on the same day as Jane — is young and energetic. Popcorn loves to jump and go fast, and Jane wants nothing more than to ride a pony who'll jump and go fast. Popcorn and Jane are perfect for each other.
Or are they? Both of them like to get their own way. And neither is prepared for what will happen when they start to ride together...
J. H. Diehl - Children's Literature
As might be gathered from its title, this is an early reader that will appeal especially to girls who love horses. Popcorn is a pony who, for the first years of his life, is not trained enough or ridden enough to be a proper show pony or easily handled by a young rider. Popcorn belongs to Jane's grandmother, and when Jane finally moves near Grandma Aggie and starts to ride Popcorn, troubles ensue. This well-plotted and well-paced story involves many twists and unexpected turns that will keep a young reader paging forward to find out what happens. A few details leave unanswered questions: how do young Jane and Grandma Aggie (who says riding a short distance to the mail box makes her tired) raise the height of a large fence or build a practice ring in the middle of the field by themselves? Most details, however, as well as the various ups and downs Grandma and Jane have with Popcorn, do add well to the believability and interest of this story. Girls who have had riding lessons—or who aspire to spend time with horses—will appreciate all the discussion of how to ride, show, jump, take care of and bring treats to horses. 2004, Greenwillow Books/HarperCollins, Ages 5 to 9.