cover image Misty's Twilight

Misty's Twilight

Marguerite Henry. MacMillan Publishing Company, $14 (0pp) ISBN 978-0-02-743623-5

More than 40 years after the release of the Newbery Honor book Misty of Chincoteague comes Henry's latest novel about the descendants of the famous wild pony. Dr. Sandy Price had been mesmerized by Misty as a child; now living on a horse farm and raising children of her own, she sets her sights on buying some Chincoteague ponies. One of the prize animals that Dr. Price wins at auction is a direct descendant of Misty, and she eventually gives birth to a filly named Twilight. Twi's unusual markings, speed and temperament make it difficult to classify her; but when her talents finally bloom she becomes a dressage champion. Unfortunately this is less a novel than a collection of footnotes to the earlier classic. The plotting here is choppy and forced, and the cardboard characters fail to generate any genuine emotion--despite the overuse of exclamation points throughout. Horse story and Henry fans will be disappointed. Illustrations not seen by PW . Ages 8-12. (June)