No Small Thing

By Natale Ghent

Book Overview

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?

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0763624225
• ISBN13: 9780763624224
• Release Date: March 2005
• Publisher: Candlewick
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.88 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.8" x 0.9" x 5.3"
• Age Range: 10 to 14 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 9

Customer Reviews

No Small Thing

The book No Small Thing is a great book by Natalie Ghent is a great and adventurous book that helds a memorable story.Once a rich family and now poor since divorced now lives in a small village.Three kids to care care of of one mother.Soon the three kids finds themslves with a horse that may actually change their lives.With the accidents and the adventure of finding their dad again in the big city that moved away because of them. I liked this book because it was a really sad and happy story together.Each chapter would at least give you a clue of what you would be reading next and it just makes you want to keep on reading.It's book in something that's really memorable to me because of the details that they describe the events going on through the problems.It may be hard to understand but in some parts it gets really emotional and it just makes you feel ike you're in the story. Another reason that I like the book is because of how she wrote the book.On how one family had so many difficulties on one horse that she wanted her children to keep because they were so happy with it.It's sad when she tells how Queenie fell off the horse and it was really emotional for me how she wrote the story.On how three kids took care of one horse while being poor and at the edge of starvation.The whole story is based on how a horse changes the family and always give them the joy that even that if they were really poor they could still face the things ahead and forget the bad things and live while they can. My favorite part of the book was when Queenie fell off the horse and broke her shoulder. Then their mom got mad and told them to give bakc the horse that they got for free.Then they got into a rage and ran off to the barn to protect her and tell her that they will never take her back.That they will always kepp her safe.I liked that part because i thought that that was really realistic and the way she described made me feel like sometimes that was me and it made me feel how my parenst feel if i really do shut out that i hated you and just run off to a unexpected place.

Greatest book on earth!

No Small Thing was really great book! I enjoyed reading this book because a lot of things were lifelike. I enjoyed it so much, that I read it within a little more than one week. The last few chapters were especially enjoyable to read. I recommend this book to all horse lovers of the world. (This review was provided by Emily - a 10 year old horse lover.)

A funny, touching novel about coming-of-age... and horses!

Life hasn't been easy for Nathaniel and his two sisters, Queenie and Cid, ever since their father left them. Now living with their single mother, they all want something to make them the happy family they used to be. Then one day, Nathaniel, Cid and Queenie see an ad for a free horse in the newspaper. They can hardly believe it. However, they're hesitant to say anything to their mother because they're positive she won't let them keep it. Surprisingly, though, she says yes. The day finally comes for them to take their new horse, Smokey, home. Having Smokey around makes the children feel happy again. They ride him, take care of him, and share many joyous times together. Then one day, a fire destroys the barn in which Smokey lives. Fortunately, the horse survives. But things get worse when the family is forced to sell their house and someone wants to buy Smokey. Will they be able to take Smokey to their new home, or will they become sad once again? I very much enjoyed this book because its focus is horses, one of my favorite animals to read about. This coming-of-age novel is full of heart and humor, and not to be missed!    --- Reviewed by Ashley Hartlaub

All the elements are there...

for a solid, thoughtful portrayal of a family suffering after the father deserts them. I especially liked that the protaganist was a boy, and while a middle chld, he held his two sisters together and proved to be the "rock' their father never could be. This is sensitive book and would be a great discussion book for middle schoolers. It sensitively explores issues without being "preachy." Like the delicate fawn in the damaged wicker basket, Smokey in the destroyed barn, and the destitute family themselves, the theme of perseverence cuts deeply through this novel. I liked this book immensely, and as an 8th grade teacher find it very "teachable" from a literary standpoint.

Beautiful and moving

I found this a beautiful novel, moving, and true. And frankly, I quite disagree with Pat Barclay's suggestion that the characters aren't "easy to like"--which sounds, well...just so superficial and misleading. No, the book likely wouldn't speak to the Harry Potter crowd that requires gimmicks and gadgets. Rather, it's a very real story of the solace animals bring to struggling children. The dilemma of the three kids in the story is, I think, a very real one, sensitively portrayed. I do think, though, that this might be a book worth being read aloud to kids or for a certain niche of reader--sensitive older children who have strong feelings for and bonds with non-humans. As an adult, I found it a satisfying and intensely moving read--probably one of the best things I've read this year. The author has the time-period details just right as well as the deep bond between the three children and the pony. However, as the novel is not heavily plot-driven, the book may not appeal to those kids/adults who want page-turning action etc. I really can think of few other novels like this one, except perhaps, the old chestnut, Luke Baldwin's Vow, in which an orphaned boy bonds with an old and apparently "useless" dog.