Misty of Chincoteague [Paperback]

Marguerite Henry (Author), Wesley Dennis (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: December 26, 2006 | Age Range: 8 and up | Lexile Measure: 750L (What's this?)

Nobody could capture the Phantom. She was the wildest mare on Assateague Island. They said she was like the wind, that the white "map" on her shoulders was her mark of freedom.

Paul and Maureen Beebe had their hearts set on owning her. They were itching to buy and tame her, and worked hard to earn the money that she would cost. But the roundup men had tried to capture her and for two years she had escaped them....

Pony Penning Day holds a surprise for everyone, for Paul not only brings in the Phantom, but her newborn colt as well. Can Paul and Maureen possibly earn enough to buy them both?

Product Details

• Age Range: 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Aladdin; Rei Anv edition (December 26, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416927832
• ISBN-13: 978-1416927839
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (140 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,330 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #5 in Books > Children's Books > Animals > Horses

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

On an island off the coasts of Virginia and Maryland lives a centuries-old band of wild ponies. Among them is the most mysterious of all, Phantom, a rarely seen mare that eludes all efforts to capture her--that is, until a young boy and girl lay eyes on her and determine that they can't live without her. The frenzied roundup that follows on the next "Pony Penning Day" does indeed bring Phantom into their lives, in a way they never would have suspected. Phantom would forever be a creature of the wild. But her gentle, loyal colt Misty is another story altogether.

Marguerite Henry's Newbery Honor Book has captivated generations of boys and girls both with its thrilling descriptions of true incidents from the tiny island of Chincoteague, and its realistic yet wonderfully magical atmosphere. This story of an animal brought into captivity poignantly reveals the powerful opposing forces of humans and nature. Wesley Dennis's pen-and-ink ponies are masterfully depicted with rippling muscles, shaggy coats, and free spirits. (Ages 9 to 12) --Emilie Coulter --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"A thrilling and long-to-be-remembered tale."

-- San Francisco Chronicle

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Aladdin; Rei Anv edition (December 26, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416927832
• ISBN-13: 978-1416927839
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (140 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,330 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #5 in Books > Children's Books > Animals > Horses

More About the Author

Marguerite Henry is the beloved author of such classic horse stories as King of the Wind, Misty of Chincoteague, and Stormy: Misty's Foal, all of which are available in Aladdin paperback editions.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 57 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Timeless Classic February 24, 2006

By Diogenette

Format:Hardcover

I first read "Misty of Chincoteague" when I was a child in the 1950s. I loved the story so much that I ended up memorizing it so that I could tell it to myself after lights-out. My parents took me to Pony Penning Day in the late 1950s, when Chincoteague was still very much like the town Marguerite Henry described and the bridge to Assateague was way, way in the future.

Pony Penning Day was very exciting, but even more exciting was the fact that Misty was still alive and living at the Beebe ranch! I still have a picture of me petting her. Marguerite Henry was there, too -- a wonderful woman, with a genuine love for children. So was Grandpa Beebe, looking very much like Wesley Dennis drew him.

I will always treasure the memory of that vacation, and judging by the other reviews of this book, there are many, many people out there for whom this book occupies a special place in their hearts.

Even though times have changed since this book was written (Maureen would probably not play so much of a second fiddle to Paul these days), the story itself is timeless: the love of the children for the Phantom; their yearning to own her; their willingness to do whatever it took to buy her; Paul's eventual triumph; and, once again, the love of the children for the Phantom that compels them to do what it best for her: these things make up a story that will continue to captivate children for many generations to come.

I would also like to add that the Wesley Dennis illustrations in all of Marguerite Henry's books are simply wonderful. That was a very serendipituous partnership, because his drawings add so much to Mrs. Henry's spledid stories.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book I ever read-Jamie May 18, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

I really like the book Misty because I really like horses and colts. I think the book was good also because Marguerite Henry was a good author. The climax is: Will Paul and Maureen ever get to get the Phantom to her colt at Penning Day? My first opinion is I think Misty is the best for kids to read. My second opinion is: People that love horses should read the book Misty. My last opinion is: Misty was the best book I have ever read. Jamie

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful historical fiction for young people......!!!! May 29, 2003

By Deborah L. Woodstuff VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

My seven year old daughter and I finished this book last night. She was very sad to have it end. What a wonderful account of the devastating storm that hit the islands of Assateague and Chincoteague and the relief efforts to rebuild the islands and the devastated wild pony population.

It was very heartwarming to read in the epilogue excerpts from actual letters of children that sent in their hard earned money to buy back the ponies sold at previous Pony Penning Days to replenish the wild herds of Assateugue. These children and others like them preserved a tradition that had been maintained for over 100 years and because of them continues on today. In fact, Marguerite Henry dedicated this book to those very children that made it all possible.

Marguerite Henry does an excellent job of using local dialect in the telling of the story, especially with Grandpa and Grandma. You can not help but become involved in the characters and their concerns become very real to you.

I read this book many many years ago and had forgotten a great deal of the story. One of the things I did remember was Misty being put in Grandma's kitchen to wait out the storm.

If you are like me and read this book many years ago I encourage to reread it. You will be glad you did.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Foal of Waves December 5, 2002

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

This is the true story of Misty, a famous horse who gave birth to a foal named Stormy during a raging, devastating storm. The book then presents an accurately detailed account of rebuilding the island of Chincoteauge after the storm.
The plot of this is exciting and suspenseful book twists just to the reader's liking, and has times of slow sadness. The odd regional colloquial speech of the characters may sometimes confuses the reader, but it is so well written you it presents a mental picture better than a movie.
This is a very interesting book to me. Its many scenes convey many different emotions: some humor, some happiness, and some intense sorrow. I am also extremely inspired by Paul Beebe, who shows courage and self-control as I would like to. It is a favorite of mine, and a worthy addition to any bookshelf.

20 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A basic for the horse-lover's library December 19, 2000

By breyergal

Format:Hardcover

If you have a child that loves horses, you've probably already seen this book.......either brought home from the library... or in their own collection. This is one of the staples of any horse-lover's collection.

The story of Misty, a wild pony from Assateague Island off the coast of Virginia who is captured as a foal and adopted by Paul and Maureen Beebe. True story of a truly wonderful foal and her family. This story sparked three sequels that still sell millions of copies around the world.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars My daughter loved it! March 2, 2007

By PCG VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

We got this book for our 7 year old daughter for Christmas. She's a good reader and loves horses. She read this book to herself in three days and loved it! She told us she now knew how to "talk like a horseman!" We can always tell when she loves a book because she gets emotionally wrapped up in the story and tells us all of the drama. This book seemed to make quite an impression on her. I haven't read it myself, but can say that my daughter fell in love with it.