Synopsis: "Leah's Pony "

The following synopsis was taken from Reading to Kids (www.readingtokids.org)

When drought in the 1930s turns their farm land into dust, Leah's papa has to put everything they own up for auction. Knowing how much he needs his tractor, Leah makes the decision to sell her beloved pony and bids all her money for the tractor--one dollar. Neighbors follow her example, placing penny bids and returning things to Leah's parents.

 

The following synopsis was taken from Goblin Market (www.goblinmarket.com)

Friedrich’s prose and Garland’s evocative art show the rhythm of the seasons, and how a farming family depends upon how high the corn grows -- or doesn’t grow.

Leah's Pony provides an exceptional look at the history of the Dust Bowl in the 1930’s, because Friedrich focuses on one young girl and the personal sacrifice she is willing to make to try to save her family’s farm. Her heroic act is emotional, sad and true.

When the drought hits, in the dust bowl during the thirties, farmers lose their crops to drought and some move away to find another life.

Leah’s father tries to explain to her, as well as to himself. “These are hard times,” he told Leah with a puzzled look. “That’s what these are, all right, hard times.”

Forced to auction off all their best stock, from Papa’s best bull to Mama’s prize rooster, the family faces ruin. Leah’s father tells her that he has to sell his tractor. Without the tractor he won’t be able to plant any corn and the family may have to leave their farm. When he refers to his tractor, he calls the machine “she” -- showing just how important the machine is, almost a member of the family.

When the corn was high, Leah’s father bought her a pony. Now the corn is stunted and the earth is parched, and Leah’s family is faced with losing their farm. Brave Leah sells her pony and buys back the family tractor from the auction for one dollar. Even though it breaks her heart, she does what she can to save her family’s livelihood.

In an author’s note at the end, Friedrich explains how neighbors came to the auctions and after buying the farm livestock for mere pennies, they would give them back to the owners to settle their debts.

Leah’s Pony shows the courage of the farmers of the Great Plains, in the person of one brave young girl.