Bernie Fuchs (1932–2009)

The story takes place in Nevada in 1860. An orphan named Johnny Free is a rider for the Pony Express. During one of his rides he is attacked by a group of Paiute Indians and falls off of his horse. The horse, Jennysoo, keeps going and completes the mission. One the mail is delivered safely Jennysoo turns around to find Johnny. She rescues him and brings him to safety. Once the Pony Express ends, Johnny and Jennysoo go west to live on a ranch. Johnny's favorite story to tell is the one where show more Jennysoo saved his life. I enjoyed this book. It portrayed how the Pony Express worked very well. The illustrations really capture the relationship between Johnny and Jennysoo. show less

This is the story of Johnny Free and his horse JennySoo. It is an exciting adventure of the short lived Pony Express. Johnny must deliver the mail, but finds that the next station is burned down. He must continue to the next station and deliver the mail. It goes through the struggles and the scary times Johnny goes through as some of the Paiute Indians in the area that were trying to stop the Pony Express from happening. Johnny sent his horse ahead alone so the Indians will follow the horse, show more but he was not on her. She then came back after she delivered the mail to the next station, and then she returned to save Johnny Free.

This book has a great story and has great illustrations. I really like the story and the friendship that can develop between an animal and a human. It also is a great story of never giving up and how powerful friendships can be. I love this story and I would like to read it out loud to see the reaction I would get.

It would be a great introduction to the Native American history and also the history of the Pony Express. It would be a great story of perserverance and I think it would be a good read aloud book because of the illustrations. show less

Johnny Free and his horse Jenny Soo, were the mail carriers for the Pony Express. During the trip, Johnny and his horse run into a tribe of Pauite warriors. Johnny is not scared, because he is sure that his horse can outrun the Indians, before something bad happens, while Johnny lays low, because arrows are flying overhead. When Johnny reaches the top of the mountain, he is hit by a arrow in the shoulder and knocked off his horse. Jenny Soo takes off running, and Johnny is sure he will never show more see her again. Finally Jenny Soo meets back up with Johnny and helped him load back up and make it to the station where Johnny could get help he needed for his shoulder, and the mail would be delivered on time.

This was a very cute story. I loved the illustrations and really enjoyed the action in this story.

You could talk more about the Pony Express to the children and make letters and act like you are postmen and deliver the letters to your friends. Children could also make Horse masks or Indian Headdresses and parade around the classroom. show less

This fictional story recounts the short nineteen month period that the Pony Express operated. Johnny Free is a fast rider with his horse JennySoo, but after an encounter with the Paiute tribe, Johnny is injured and JennySoo is left without a rider.