Majesty from Assateague

Children's Book Review

The wild ponies of Assateague Island make a moving backdrop to this story of two orphans. The story opens with the birth of Majesty, one of the wild ponies. When her father Bright Star is challenged for the horse harem by a younger stallion, Majesty gets in the way of a hoof blow to her father. When she awakes, Bright Star is dead. Later her mother Morning Star is caught in a wave and pulled out to sea.

Michael Jennings loses his parents in a car accident, which leaves him with injuries to his legs. During a trip to see the wild ponies, Michael notices Majesty and a kinship is felt between them.

Majesty from Assateague is a charming story that educates the reader about how the ponies ended up on Assateague as well as the annual auction as a means to manage the population. Both Michael and Majesty overcome the loss of their parents and forge their own path. There is a spiritual element to the story as Majesty's near death experiences conjures up dreams of a higher horse power.

Harvey Hagman is a retired journalist, who continues to write adventure travel articles. He and his wife host a radio show with a travel focus.