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Synopsis
Emma, her pony, and her mother travel up the Missouri River on a steamboat to join Papa on the frontier. When she sneaks to the main deck to check on her beloved pony, she finds Patrick, a stowaway, who's bunking with her pony, and the two make a deal that evolves into friendship. When the Sally May explodes in a fiery blaze, Louisa, Mama, Patrick, wealthy cabin passengers, poor immigrants, and one plucky pony must find a way to survive the disaster.
Children's Literature
As Emma boards the steamboat Sally May with her mama, she is grateful and relieved to have another member of the party: her pony Twist. Emma was able to convince mama to allow the pony to come along as they travel to join her papa on the frontier. While on the steamboat, Emma worries about her mother, who keeps having fainting spells and feeling ill. She also worries about Twist, who must stay below for the entire journey. Emma makes friends with the captain and finds the boat to be exciting, but she cannot stop worrying about Twist. Finally, she sneaks down to see Twist. Emma is stunned to find a boy sleeping in the stall. Emma makes a deal with Patrick, who is a stowaway, to care for Twist in exchange for her bringing him food and keeping his secret. But her friendship with Patrick is not the only surprise in store for Emma. Emma's worries for her mother change into something else when she learns why her mother must rest so often and is so dizzy all the time. But even the coming of a brother or sister is nothing compared to the terrifying moment when the Sally May explodes and all the passengers must find a way to survive. A fast-paced, compelling tale (although the cover gives away the climax). Reviewer: Carol Ann Lloyd-Stanger