The family has little money since their father left, but Nathaniel and his sisters are determined to keep the beautiful white pony that was given away to anyone who can offer him a “good home” (1). In this warm family story set in Ontario in 1977, Nat, who uses his paper-route money to hire a stall in a broken-down barn, tells about the joys and difficulties of owning Smokey as he and his sisters struggle with poverty. When a fire threatens Smokey’s life, Nat knows he must sell him, but after one last desperate ride, there is hope after all. hc

Originally published by HarperCollins Canada, in 2003.

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?