Princess Ponies 10: The Pumpkin Ghost

By Chloe Ryder

Enter a land of magical ponies in this chapter book series that features illustrations throughout!

The enchanted island of Chevalia, where ponies rule, has finally had its magic restored, thanks to human Pippa and pony Princess Stardust. Her task complete, Pippa returned to our world . . . but her friends in Chevalia are never far away.

It's Halloween, and Pippa can't wait to go trick-or-treating. But before the festivities get underway, Cloud appears to tell Pippa that, back in Chevalia, a mysterious pumpkin-headed ghost is haunting Stableside Castle! Pippa joins forces with her best friend, Princess Stardust, to figure out if the fabled pumpkin ghost is real . . . or if someone is up to a little bit of Halloween mischief! Can they get to the bottom of this spooky mystery?

Pippa's adventures in magical Chevalia continue, brought to life with delightful illustrations.

Collect all of the books in the Princess Ponies series:
A Magical Friend
A Dream Come True
The Special Secret
A Unicorn Adventure!
An Amazing Rescue
Best Friends Forever!
A Special Surprise
A Singing Star
The Lucky Horseshoe
The Pumpkin Ghost
Season's Galloping
An Enchanted Heart

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
• Release date: Aug 13, 2019
• ISBN: 9781547601677

Chloe Ryder

Chloe Ryder lives on a farm for thoroughbred and rescue horses. When she's not caring for the horses, she rides them across the hills surrounding her house. Chloe is one of very few to know the true location of magical island Chevalia. She is also the alter ego of Julie Sykes, award-winning author of over 60 books for children. Julie lives in Hampshire with her family and their pet wolf.

Book preview

8

Prologue

Hidden in the middle of the seas, and surrounded by golden beaches, is the magical island of Chevalia. The island is ruled by the royal ponies Queen Moonshine and King Firestar from their court at Stableside Castle.

But a long way from Stableside, in the middle of the Horseshoe Hills, was a smaller, dilapidated castle with crumbling, ivy-clad walls. Mice and beetles scurried through the empty rooms. Bats roosted in the turrets and spiders hung from thick webs.

At the back of the castle, in a damp, dark room, a mean-looking pony with a square nose was getting ready to go out. She took her time, using a comb to arrange her mane so that it fell over her chestnut forehead and neck. Afterward, she carefully painted her hooves with sparkly black hoof polish.

How do I look? she wondered aloud. She turned to a broken mirror and looked at herself. With a huge smile, she nodded at her reflection.

"As good as my name! I look divine! Divine’s voice rose as she continued to speak to her reflection. Royal ponies, you lead perfect lives in your precious castle, but not for much longer! Enjoy the luxury of Stableside while you can. Soon, with a little help from my new and spooky servants, you’ll be desperate to leave. When you are gone, the royal jewels will be mine and I will crown myself the new queen of Chevalia."

Chapter 1

Pippa MacDonald opened the front door and stepped outside. Look at the moon, she said. It’s huge.

A large harvest moon hung over the houses across the street. It even had an orange hue, just like a pumpkin.

It’s a good night for trick-or-treating, said her mom with a smile. She carried a plastic jack-o’-lantern with a flickering light inside.

Pippa’s little brother, Jack, dressed as a skeleton, pushed past Mom to gape at the moon.

Don’t push, Jack, said Mom. We’re not going to leave without you. Hurry up, Miranda. Your makeup looks fine.

Pippa adjusted her Halloween costume, a gray pony onesie with yellow eyes. What do you think of my zombie pony costume?

You look like a real zony, said her mom with a grin.

I think you look scary, said Jack. So do you, Miranda.

Pippa’s big sister wore a long, flowing black gown with a witch’s hat on her head.

Ugh, she grunted. I’m not trying to be scary. I’m going for glamorous! And I’d much rather go trick-or-treating with my friends instead of my family.

You all look great, said Mom. And we always do Halloween as a family. It’s our tradition.

Well, maybe traditions should change, said Miranda.

Pippa didn’t want anything to change, but she didn’t want to go out with her grumpy sister either. Maybe you should stay home, she said.

Kids, said Mom, that’s enough. Miranda, Pippa, we stick together.

So long as there’s candy, shouted Jack, running to the sidewalk.

Jack, wait! Pippa pretended she was a zony,