The Shadow Pony by Olivia Wakeford
Paperback published by Harper Collins Children’s 26th February 2026
ISBN 9780008658618
For 9-12
Everything is changing for eleven-year-old Evan. His family is split down the middle, and lately Grandad hasn’t been himself. But Evan can always depend on his best friend Okie Dokie, his loveable dog. When a school trip takes Evan to an old mine where Grandad used to work, things go disastrously wrong. Grandad refuses to talk to Evan about the mines, especially about the pit ponies that worked down there in the dark. But Evan is desperate to know more. Can he uncover Grandad’s secrets before they are lost forever?
MY REVIEW
Eleven-year-old Evan has a lot to deal with, his mum and dad has split up.
Once Evan and his mum moved to Wales, his mum met another man, who lives with them, along with Evan’s grandad, who has broke his arm.
His grandad used to work in the mines, but won’t never talk about it.
When Evan’s school, has a trip the mine, reluctantly he goes on the school trip. Deep down in the mine, Evan has a strong sense he can smell the ponies in that used to be kept in stables. But he puts it down to the bullying from class mates. After school Evans favourite time is taking his dog, Okie, out for a walk.
This novel is excellent, and extremely well written. The Shadow Pony is a very moving story but very lovely too.
Themes running through this incredible children’s novel is about, family separation, blended families, dementia, parents with bipolar disorder, bullying, and animal rights.
About author Olivia Wakeford
Olivia Wakeford writes a lot about grief, which really means she writes about love.
And dogs: she believes every story should have a dog in it! Olivia has worked in film and television, been a scriptwriter, dog-walker, PA and more, but her favourite job is writing novels for children. Olivia graduated with distinction from the MA in Writing for Children at Bath Spa University, she can ride a unicycle (badly) and is addicted to salt and vinegar crisps. She was born in Wales and now lives in London with her husband and their socially awkward Labrador, Obi. My Dog is her debut novel. https://www.instagram.com/wakefordwrites
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