The Red Pony - John Steinbeck

This book is really four seperate short stories about Jody, a young boy growing up in the Monterey Valley early in the 20th century. He lives on a small ranch with his father, mother, and a ranch hand, Billy Buck. In the first story, Jody is given a red pony by his stern father, Carl Tifflin. Sadly, the pony dies. The rest of the stories explore other themes of family and rural life, and growing up.

It is a beautiful little book which I would highly recommend.