Chang longs for a pony to ease the loneliness he feels in his new country, but even in Gold Rush California, enough gold to buy a pony is hard to come by - (Baker & Taylor)

In San Francisco during the 1850's gold rush, Chang, the son of Chinese immigrants, wants a pony but cannot afford one until his friend Big Pete finds a solution. - (Baker & Taylor)

‘Chang and Grandpa Li live in a California Gold Rush town during the 1850s. Chang longs for a pony, for he has only a drawing of one. He tries panning for gold, and later, earning money by sweeping a cabin, he finds gold and is rewarded with the coveted pony. Warm, freely drawn illustrations support Coerr's authentic picture of some of the earliest Chinese immigrants to the U.S." 'K.

Children's Books of 1988 (Library of Congress)
1988 John and Patricia Beatty Award (California Library Association)

Publishers Weekly Reviews

It's the time of the Gold Rush in this I Can Read title; young Chang and his Grandpa Li work in the kitchen of the Gold Ditch Hotel in San Francisco. Since arriving from China, Chang has suffered indignities: he has been ostracized by American children and teased by the miners. Chang longs for a pony of his own, a pony to love and to ease the loneliness, but Grandpa says the only one they can afford is a paper onethe painting tacked above the stove. Kindly Big Pete, a miner, shows Chang how to dig and pan for gold, but he lacks enough for a pony. Then he finds gold dust where he least expects it. Although brief and simple, the story is rich in atmosphere, history and emotion. Coerr brings to young readers not only a satisfying tale, but a portrayal of an aspect of 19th century California history rarely attempted at this level. Ray's forceful drawings support the text well and firmly establish the dusty mining-town environment. She is particularly adept at showing the vulnerability of children, as well as the ways in which large and small joys affect them. Ages 5-8. (July) Copyright 1988 Cahners Business Information.

School Library Journal Reviews

Gr 2-4 Soft and warm illustrations in three colors accompany this story of a lonely Chinese boy during California's Gold Rush days. Sweeping the floor of Big Pete's cabin, Chang finds gold dust, and Pete uses some of the money to buy him the pony he so desperately wants. The text is well written and does not trivialize Chang's desire for a pony. The author's note at the end of the book details some of the historical background for this story that rings true. The type size, layout, and vocabulary make the book appropriate for early primary readers. However, few of those readers will have the maturity to understand the historical period of more than 100 years ago during which the story takes place. In that context, the Chinese characters depicted will perpetuate stereotypes of humble, bowing Chinese people with queues to the present day Chinese. Yet the higher end of the beginning reader crowd and older reluctant readers will find this story of a child's dreams to be informative and different. Sharron McElmeel, Cedar Rapids Community Schools, Iowa Copyright 1988 Cahners Business Information.