The True Story of Quintilius

The newborn foal peered at Caroline from her computer screen. The online photo grabbed her heart. It was followed by photo after photo of the foal frolicking, rubbing noses with his momma, and nursing in the quiet of evening. This was the foal she knew she had to buy. Caroline had worked hard and saved all her money to buy a wild Chincoteague Pony foal and now she had fallen in love with the right one. She’d even named him "Quintilius" for the star that shone over the baby Jesus in the manger long ago. After she arrived on Chincoteague Island, Caroline volunteered for The Feather Fund and helped tag foals with the saltwater cowboys. Now, after all her hard work, the saltwater cowboys had labeled her foal—her Quintilus—for return to the island. Caroline couldn’t even consider of taking home another foal. Quintilius had won her heart. She’d poured herself into saving enough money and now it seemed the chestnut pinto colt would be forever out of her life. How could things be turned around for Caroline so that she could bring her foal home? Or would she lose her dream forever?

This chapter book for ages 7 to 10 explores the annual Pony Penning celebration on Chincoteague Island through the story of a young girl who works hard to buy a foal—and keeps her faith when faced with challenges. The newborn foal peered at Caroline from her computer screen. The online photo grabbed her heart. It was followed by photo after photo of the foal frolicking, rubbing noses with his momma, and nursing in the quiet of evening. This was the foal she knew she had to buy! Caroline had worked hard and saved all her money to buy a wild Chincoteague Pony foal and now she had fallen in love with the right one. She’d even named him "Quintilius" for the star that shone over the baby Jesus in the manger long ago. When it's finally time for Chincoteague Island's annual Pony Penning celebration, Caroline ventures to the island and volunteers for The Feather Fund (a group that helps deserving children buy ponies of their own) and helps tag foals with the saltwater cowboys. But, after all her hard work, she finds that the saltwater cowboys had labeled her foal—her Quintilus—for return to the island. Caroline couldn’t even consider of taking home another foal—she'd poured herself into saving enough money and now it seemed the chestnut pinto colt would be forever out of her life. How could things be turned around for Caroline so that she could bring her foal home? Or would she lose her dream forever? This inspiring chapter book for ages 7 to 10 and horse and pony lovers of all ages shares the story of a girl who perseveres to achieve her goal—and her foal! Check out all of Schiffer Publishing's Chincoteague Pony books by Lois Szymanski: Out of the Sea: Today's Chincoteague Pony, 2nd Edition (978-0-7643-6970-4) Chincoteague Ponies: Untold Tails (978-0-7643-4085-7) Surfer Dude: The Legendary Stallion of Chincoteague (978-0-7643-5366-6) Wild Colt (978-0-7643-3975-2) The True Story of Miracle Man (978-0-7643-4420-6) The True Story of Sea Feather (978-0-7643-3609-6) The True Story of Quintilius (978-0-7643-4709-2)