Characters
Who are the two main children in the story?
Paul and Maureen
On what island do Paul and Maureen live?
Chincoteague Island
What job does Paul get to do on Pony Penning Day?
Be one of the Pony Penning helpers/swimmers
What does the word “foal” mean?
A young horse or pony
What special day is celebrated in the story involving wild ponies?
Pony Penning Day
What is the name of the pony everyone wants to catch?
Phantom
What is the name of the island where the wild ponies live?
Assateague Island
What surprising thing happens when they capture Phantom?
She has a foal with her—Misty
What is a “buy-back” pony?
A pony someone buys and donates back to the wild
Who swims the ponies across the channel?
The “saltwater cowboys” or pony wranglers
What are the names of Paul and Maureen’s grandparents?
Grandma and Grandpa Bebee
What annual event draws crowds to the island?
Pony Penning Day
Why are people surprised when Misty is found?
Because Phantom had never been seen with a foal before
What does “skittish” mean when describing a pony?
Nervous, easily scared or jumpy
Why does the town hold the auction?
To control the pony population and raise money for the fire department
Why does Paul want to catch Phantom?
He wants to buy her at the Pony Penning Day auction.
Describe one difference between Chincoteague and Assateague.
Chincoteague is a town with people; Assateague is wild and home to wild ponies.
What must Paul and Maureen do to keep Misty and Phantom?
Earn enough money to buy them at the auction
What does it mean to “tame” a wild pony?
To train it so it becomes used to people and obeys commands
What does the legend say about how ponies got to Assateague?
They swam ashore from a Spanish shipwreck
What makes Misty different from the other foals?
She’s smaller, has unique markings, and follows people instead of other ponies.
What natural event separates the ponies from humans?
The channel of water between the two islands
What lesson do Paul and Maureen learn from training and caring for the ponies?
Responsibility, patience, and the bond between humans and animals
What does “penning” mean in the context of the story?
Gathering and rounding up wild ponies into a fenced area
Why do people value Misty so much later in the story?
She’s a rare pony with special traits and a connection to both Phantom and the children