I was curious if other people enjoyed this book as much as we did, so I checked the Amazon reviews, and it looks like it’s a favorite for many families! We recently finished Misty of Chincoteague as a read-aloud, and it was such a delight! There’s nostalgia, energy, suspense, childhood play, and lots of horse fun woven throughout this book. I may have been more excited than the kids to get to our evening read each day!
Here’s the summary from Amazon: On the island of Chincoteague, 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...
Amazon recommends this book for ages 7-10, and I read it aloud to my daughters who are 9 and 13. If you’re craving a fun read for the upcoming season, you can order today with Amazon Prime, and it will probably get here by tomorrow. (affiliate link)
Also, Chincoteague is a REAL place! My family and I would like to take a trip to visit Chincoteague and its neighboring island (Assateague) where the wild ponies live, check out the museum there, and join the small town for the annual carnival and Pony Swim Day.
And, guess what? There’s even a movie about Misty of Chincoteague, called Misty (1961), and it’s currently free to watch for Amazon Prime members. So if you decide to get the book and read it, maybe consider watching the film too. Watching it is on our to-do list!