"Misty of Chincoteague" by Marguerite Henry is 50 years old! First published in 1947, this Newbery Honor Award winner is the story of two children living on an island off the Virginia coast who claim one of the wild mares and her pony auctioned at the annual Pony Penning Day.Henry went to Chincoteague Island in search of a story and based it on real people and horses she met there. She actually bought Misty, and later Misty and her colt Stormy (also the subject of a book in 1963) appeared at benefits to raise money when a hurricane hit the islands. Eight years ago, Henry, now 94, started the Misty of Chincoteague Foundation to buy some of the land where Misty lived. This year the Foundation unveiled a life-size bronze statue of Misty on the reclaimed land. And it all started with a book.
Happy Birthday, "Misty of Chincoteague."
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