"Willia MacLean's father is a coal miner, and his grandfather was too. His older brother John has already followed in their footsteps, and it is expected that Willie will do the same. But Willie is different. He enjoys school, loves horses, and would rather be anywhere else than in a coal mine. When John is hurt in an accident Willie is forced to step into his brother's shoes and soon finds that work in the mine is lonely and unfriendly. However, Willie discovers that a Sable Island pony he has befriended is scheduled to begin working the mine as well. Against this backdrop, Willie and his newfound companion Gem show that perseverance pays and that miracles can happen, even in the darkness of a coal mine"--Container.