Set in the early 1900s in the Oregon cattle ranching area, Chris experiences the death of his alcoholic, abusive father, his mother's platonic remarriage to his father's inadvertent killer, and a new relationship to his new, much more likeable stepfather. Along with this comes the taming of a nearly wild black pony that Chris has set his heart on. A good children's historical novel, about 5th grade reading level, that both boys and girls will enjoy.