Pony by R. J. Palacio (Penguin Random House Children’s UK, Puffin)

Twelve year old Silas wakes in the middle in the night and helplessly watches how three strangers takes his father away. He is alone and scared, his only companion is a Mittenwool, the ghost friend. When a pony comes to his house, Silas decides to find beloved father and a journey across an American landscape begins - the journey of great danger, new friends and enemies. Also many secrets start to reveal themselves.

Characters and the plot are captivating, narrative beautiful, full of drama and terrific pacing. Moving read for all generations.

Even though most of the characters in this book are men of a certain time and place in American history, it is obviously a book that is completely driven by a woman. A mother. She is the central character, off the page, connecting and propelling and protecting from afar within the limits of what she can do, which are unknowable. 

Wonderful story about the power of love which never dies and invisible connections that exist between people, both the living and the dead.

4/5