Don't Hurt My Pony

Pony Pals #10

by Jeanne Betancourt

Who is trapping animals on the Wiggins estate? When Lulu's pony, Snow White, gets her hoof caught, the Pony Pals must use their detective skills and ponies to uncover the identity of the poachers.

Genres: Horses, Childrens, Animals, Fiction, Contemporary, Chapter Books, Young Readers

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

When I was growing up I never thought of being an author. I was a terrible speller and didn't want to write any more than I had to. I wanted to be a tap dancer when I grew up. After a few years of teaching junior high and high school, I wrote my first novel. It was a surprise to discover that I liked making up stories and writing them down. I liked it so much that eventually I stopped teaching and became a fulltime writer.

Besides novels for children and young adults, I've also told stories by writing scripts for television and the movies.

I live on the top floor of a sixteen-story building near the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. From my apartment I have a view of Manhattan that includes the Empire State Building and the Plaza Hotel. In my free time I draw, paint, and read. I still love to dance.

Some people think that a writer's life is lonely. But when I'm writing a story I don't feel lonely because I am actively involved with lots of interesting people – the characters in my books. I love knowing that some day readers will get to know these characters, too. If you are one of my readers I hope you have as much enjoyment in reading my stories as I have writing them.

Reviews

[Rosa Cline · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a chapter book and book 10 of the "Pony Pals" series. My now grown daughter LOVED these books as a child (she begin to read them when she was about 8) and read all of the ones in the series. I found her copy of many of them and decided to try and read them to see what they were like. You can read these as stand alone books; but the reader would understand and relate to the girls better if you read them in order. If you have to miss one 'here and there' it's not big deal; you won't be lost but just get the full effect better in order.

It's a nice storybook of friendship for three girls (all 5th graders) and the bond they form with each other and each of their ponies. In this story the girls are going on a camping trip in the 'woods' of a neighboring friend. (Their parents check in on them from time to time.) But while they are out there they find traps set for wild animals. One of the ponies nearly get hurt from one. The three girls go in search of any others. Then they 'hide out' for the poachers to come back and photograph them. The boys that are doing it chase them until they reach the owner of the property. The girls tell the owner what is going on and then she talks with the boys. I rated this book lower than the previous ones simply because even though the girls had good intentions and wanted what was best they should have went straight to the owner of the woods instead of investigating this themselves. Poachers and traps are very dangerous things and although they seemed 'aware' of the dangers they are telling other children their age they can do the same but they shouldn't.

As a mother reading these books I really appreciate the way Ms Betancourt has written about the girls putting their heads together and trying to work out problems together and coming up with solutions themselves. As the young adults they are becoming it gives the girls in the story the opportunity to think things through. Which helps readers know they could do the same thing to try and find solutions as the young adults they will be in a few years. Thus far in each of the books I've read of this series the girls have tried to come up with solutions to problems and that is such a good thing to teach children

[Mariella Esquivel Tello · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won't deny it's a good book for those who love horses and ponies, but it's getting two stars because... I've got to be honest.

The delinquents responsible for the traps weren't even properly punished! They were illegally leaving traps in the forest and a pony was already hurt. The girl tried to talk to them civilly, but obviously you can't reason with entitled bullies as the culprits only verbally bullied the girls.

And their motive for doing so is no excuse either. But they're not even charged with trespassing charges AND the stale owner even offered to help one of the boys with their problem?! What?!

So they just reward those two for their traps and threats to the girls instead of sending them away?! How does that make the boys behavior ok?

People, just because a bully has a tough life is NO excuse whatsoever to enable their behavior and let them go without consequences! All that's doing is teaching them that they can hurt people and not get punished for it!

[Piper Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like ponys

[JoReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Childhood favourite series (haven't read in a long time) giving all four stars unless it was a favourite as a child.

[Twyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite part was when the kids stopped trapping on the estate .The worst part was when the kids started trapping. The best character was Ms. Wiggins because she stopped the kids that were trapping. The worst character was Tom because his trap caught Snow White's hoof when Lulu and Snow White were on a trail ride on the first day of the camp out .This book was mostly about Lulu and the rest of the pony pals going on a camping trip and Snow White getting caught in a trap.Auryn 10 years old

[Alisha Brook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pony Pals was one of my favourite "horsey" series growing up. Jeanne Betancourt has a writing skill that makes the books easy to read and interesting. I read many of the series and I was enthralled with each new story.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

read them all

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm running out of things to say for these books..., but this was another good addition to the series. It was nice to get a little more depth on Mike.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

i think this book is cool

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good story!

[Baleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

All the pony pal books are good I've read all if them

[Martina Munoz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book...
Something where you live is causing danger to your pony? Traps? Hunters?
Or maybe old things?

[Alexandra Lindner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the series!!

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

AR Level 3.6 AR Points 1.0

Very good book, another good value to learn.

[Kate Matson · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was younger, I loved horses! I read lots of these books and really enjoyed them. Of course, it's been a long time since I've read these, but I can assure you they are worth reading.

[Melissa Namba · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like the animal conservation spin on the story, I dunt like the vindictive nature of the girls in this story. not sure why they want to punish the boys so much rather than learn and educate.