No Small Thing [Paperback]

Natale Ghent (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

Full of heart and humor, this coming-of-age tale is no small thing — the tale of a boy's search for love and identity in the face of longing, abandonment, and uncertainty.

When twelve-year-old Nathaniel and his two sisters discover an ad in the paper for a free pony, they can hardly believe their luck. But what will their mother say? Mom's been having a hard time ever since Dad walked out on them four years ago. But caring for a pony might keep Nat and his older sister, Cid, from bickering, and it would mean so much to eight-year-old Queenie. It takes some serious persuasion — and a promise to use Nat's paper route money for the pony’s keep — but Mom finally relents.

And so begins a year of self-discovery, as Nat struggles to deal with his father's absence; look out for his younger sister, who is "different"; and recover from having his heart broken by a rich, pretty girl from school. Life is not always easy, but Nat knows that Smokey, his very own pony, will be waiting for him at the end of each day. Or will he?

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8–For all those horse-crazy readers, this is a satisfying exploration of how the realities of owning an animal and the responsibility for its care and training affect a family that is already struggling to make ends meet. Nathaniel, 12, explains how he and his sisters, Cid, 14, and Queenie, 8, acquire a pony as a giveaway. Their mother is so laden with her own pain (the children's father has deserted the family) and her efforts to eke out a living that the kids leave her out of the loop on many of their decisions. The inevitable major battles as well as true caring among the siblings are equally present, as are peripheral adults both kind and mean who influence the plot. This is one of the best horse stories to come along in recent years, and one of the few with a male protagonist. In the end, the author makes it clear that losses and gains go together in life, but that one's own actions and choices matter most of all.–Carol A. Edwards, Douglas County Libraries, Castle Rock, CO
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 5-8. It is no small thing to care for those we love, as 12-year-old Nathaniel comes to understand in this innocent story, set in Canada in 1977. Nathaniel is one of three siblings who become the owners of a beautiful stallion named Smokey. Smokey is the bright spot in their lives, an antidote to having their world disrupted when their father walked out on them four years earlier. While their mother struggles to pay for food and rent, Nathaniel's paper route provides money for the pony's upkeep. Eight-year-old Queenie, who finds safety in "a secret place in her head," and tough, 10-year-old Cid help with Smokey's care. Then the children's hard-won happiness is threatened again--by a riding accident, a broken heart, and a barn fire. Nathaniel's voice sounds too mature and a touch didactic at times, but the pacing and characterizations are deftly accomplished. And readers will find much to like in the involving, gentle tale. Cindy Welch
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick; 1 edition (March 3, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763624225
• ISBN-13: 978-0763624224
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 4.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #214,511 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A funny, touching novel about coming-of-age... and horses!, June 8, 2005

By 

A Customer (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: No Small Thing (Paperback)

Life hasn't been easy for Nathaniel and his two sisters, Queenie and Cid, ever since their father left them. Now living with their single mother, they all want something to make them the happy family they used to be. Then one day, Nathaniel, Cid and Queenie see an ad for a free horse in the newspaper. They can hardly believe it. However, they're hesitant to say anything to their mother because they're positive she won't let them keep it. Surprisingly, though, she says yes. The day finally comes for them to take their new horse, Smokey, home.

Having Smokey around makes the children feel happy again. They ride him, take care of him, and share many joyous times together. Then one day, a fire destroys the barn in which Smokey lives. Fortunately, the horse survives. But things get worse when the family is forced to sell their house and someone wants to buy Smokey. Will they be able to take Smokey to their new home, or will they become sad once again?

I very much enjoyed this book because its focus is horses, one of my favorite animals to read about. This coming-of-age novel is full of heart and humor, and not to be missed!


   --- Reviewed by Ashley Hartlaub

4.0 out of 5 stars Book Review, April 14, 2009

By 

T. Barnes (Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: No Small Thing (Paperback)

Nat, Cid, and Queenie live with their single mother, and struggle to make ends meet. However, when they see an ad in the newspaper for a free horse, they cannot resist. After getting the pony they struggle but manage to find a a place for it to stay. The soft, white horse named Smokey is perfect in their eyes. A dream come true for everyone. This brings joy and happinessto Nat, who is struggling to grow up without a father. Queenie is somewhat odd, and Cid is the controlling oldest. But together, they bond over a horse. Nat has to defend Queenie, who is made fun of, and deal with a girl who hardly knows he exists. Dealing with consant troubles and a lot more he can only find true happiness with Smokey. That is, until diaster strikes. Not being able to afford Smokey anymore, these three kids have to make one of their toughest decisions of their life, giving up what they love most.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No Small Thing, March 30, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: No Small Thing (Paperback)

The book No Small Thing is a great book by Natalie Ghent is a great and adventurous book that helds a memorable story.Once a rich family and now poor since divorced now lives in a small village.Three kids to care care of of one mother.Soon the three kids finds themslves with a horse that may actually change their lives.With the accidents and the adventure of finding their dad again in the big city that moved away because of them.
I liked this book because it was a really sad and happy story together.Each chapter would at least give you a clue of what you would be reading next and it just makes you want to keep on reading.It's book in something that's really memorable to me because of the details that they describe the events going on through the problems.It may be hard to understand but in some parts it gets really emotional and it just makes you feel ike you're in the story.
Another reason that I like the book is because of how she wrote the book.On how one family had so many difficulties on one horse that she wanted her children to keep because they were so happy with it.It's sad when she tells how Queenie fell off the horse and it was really emotional for me how she wrote the story.On how three kids took care of one horse while being poor and at the edge of starvation.The whole story is based on how a horse changes the family and always give them the joy that even that if they were really poor they could still face the things ahead and forget the bad things and live while they can.
My favorite part of the book was when Queenie fell off the horse and broke her shoulder. Then their mom got mad and told them to give bakc the horse that they got for free.Then they got into a rage and ran off to the barn to protect her and tell her that they will never take her back.That they will always kepp her safe.I liked that part because i thought that that was really realistic and the way she described made me feel like sometimes that was me and it made me feel how my parenst feel if i really do shut out that i hated you and just run off to a unexpected place.