Ride Like the Wind: A Tale of the Pony Express

Ride Like the Wind: A Tale of the Pony Express

Award-winning artist Bernie Fuchs creates an exciting adventure about an orphan boy and his beloved horse as they ride the Pony Express. Known for their courage, self confidence, speed, and willingness to face adversity, the riders of the Pony Express quickly became legendary heroes in their time. Now dramatic oil paintings by award winner Bernie Fuchs capture the spirit, strength, and stamina of one young rider, Johnny Free, as he and his beloved pony, JennySoo, set off at top speed. After racing with his Paiute friend, Little Grey Wolf, Johnny goes on to face unexpected danger--and only JennySoo can save his life. Kindergarten-Grade 4--Although the Pony Express operated for only 18 months, the courage and daring of the young men who made these trips, battling severe weather, treacherous terrain, and hostile Indians, have become legendary. Fuchs has drawn on numerous historical accounts to create a fictionalized story of such a run. Readers follow young Johnny Free and his faithful pony, JennySoo, as they ride "like the wind," are watched by wolves, find their relief station burned to the ground, and are eventually attacked by hostile Paiutes. In a minor stretch of credulity, JennySoo returns to rescue her wounded master. The nicely paced, tightly written text captures the excitement and drama of the situation. The full-page, textured paintings carry the action forward, while their misty quality suggests a time gone by. An opening storyteller's note provides necessary background and an informative afterword provides more details about the Pony Express. This is a good introduction to the subject for youngsters not quite ready for Steven Kroll's longer and strictly factual Pony Express! (Scholastic, 2000). --Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.