With her mum’s boyfriend, Vik, seemingly now a part of their family unit before Nat’s even had a chance to consider a stepdad in her life, her feelings are all over the place as she comes to terms with all the changes in her world.
She feels like she no longer belongs at home or at school and to top it all off, she’s humiliated after the Sleepover of Nightmares when her Shameful Secret came out.
However, Natalie’s upcoming 10th birthday cannot get any better when she finds out she’s going to the Own Your Own Pony Week at a local stable. Not only will she help look after, feed and ride the ponies but her mum and best friend, Ashling, will be there too. No Vik to annoy her, no bullies to upset her AND a whole week with her mum all to herself!
When her granny falls ill and her mum can no longer make it on their trip of a lifetime, Vik steps in to be the accompanying adult.
What follows is a week away like no other.
Tempers flare, stress-levels are off the scale and Vik, being his usual annoying self according to Nat, makes her birthday week one she would rather forget.
Mischievous pony Loki brings Natalie out of her shell as she tries to forget her worries and ignore the ever-present Vik. Learning to care for the horses not only gives her new skills that may convince her mum she could get a pony too but also makes her realise that those who love her the most will always be there for her, no matter what. Can Nat accept the changes in her life? Will she have the birthday week of a lifetime or a birthday week full of angst and exclusion? Can Loki encourage her to be herself when she feels everyone is against her?
Camilla Chester has created yet another fantastic middle grade novel in Project Pony, once again collaborating with the fantastic illustrator, Irina Avgustinovich.
Camilla’s empathetic approach to those who have nocturnal enuresis (more commonly known as bed wetting) shows understanding and inclusion for those who can relate to Natalie’s condition.
Not only that, Project Pony is a brilliant insight into the world of ponies, their personalities and the genuine love they express to those that care for them.
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