Riding Freedom

Riding Freedom follows Charlotte Parkhurst, a girl growing up in an orphanage in New Hampshire during the 1800s. After facing limitations due to her gender, she makes the bold choice to live as a man named Charley. The story tracks Charley's journey west to California during the Gold Rush era, where she pursues her dream of working with horses and becoming a stagecoach driver. Through determination and skill, she builds a reputation as one of the finest drivers on the dangerous mountain routes. Based on a true historical figure, this middle-grade novel highlights themes of gender roles, identity, and the pursuit of personal freedom in 19th century America. The narrative raises questions about courage and the costs of living authentically in a restrictive society.

Readers appreciate the true story of Charlotte Parkhurst's determination and courage in pursuing her dreams despite gender barriers in the 1800s. Many parents note the book resonates with their 8-12 year old children and sparks discussions about historical gender roles. Readers highlight Ryan's engaging writing style and the blend of historical facts with narrative storytelling. Multiple reviews mention the book works well as both independent reading and classroom material. Some readers found the pacing slow in the middle sections. A few noted the story glosses over certain historical details and relationships to maintain age-appropriate content. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (190+ ratings) Scholastic: 4.5/5 (100+ ratings) "My daughter couldn't put it down - led to great conversations about women's rights" - Amazon reviewer "Perfect for teaching about prejudice and perseverance" - Teacher review on Scholastic "The story drags between major events" - Goodreads reviewer

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🐎 Charlotte Parkhurst, the real person who inspired this book, was the first woman to vote in California - decades before women's suffrage became law. 📚 Author Pam Muñoz Ryan spent months researching 1800s stagecoach driving techniques to accurately portray Charlotte's career. 🌟 The book's illustrator, Brian Selznick, later won the Caldecott Medal for "The Invention of Hugo Cabret." 🎯 Charlotte learned to be a master horse trainer and driver while living in an orphanage, where she secretly taught herself by watching the stable hands. 🗳️ When Charlotte's true gender was discovered after her death in 1879, her story made headlines across California, and her grave marker reads "the first woman to vote in the state."