Riding Freedom [Hardcover]

Pam Munoz Ryan (Author), Brian Selznick (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up

Extensively researched, this fast-paced historical novel about Charlotte (Charley) Parkhurst combines all the known facts of a daring woman's colorful life in the Wild West with Pam Munoz Ryan's own spirited imaginings Ages 8-12. Pub: 2/98. .

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The true story of Charlotte "Charley" Darkey Parkhurst, a woman who lived her life disguised as a man so she could be a stagecoach driver, is the basis for this ebullient and tautly structured novel. Charlotte, a girl who "couldn't sew a stitch and didn't know a petticoat from a pea pod," does have a deep respect and a sixth sense for horses. When the head of her New Hampshire orphanage tells her she's banned from riding because she's a girl, she disguises herself as a boy, runs away to Worcester, Mass., and secures a job as Mr. Ebeneezer's stable hand. He takes "Charley" under his wing, teaching her to be the finest horseman and the best coachman in the state. As she guides her coach across the countryside, she tells her passengers, "I know my horses by heart and I'm not one for bad drivin', so hold tight!" Along the way, she encounters a wealth of characters, some good (Hay, her orphan friend; Vern, a freedman who tends the orphanage stables) and some bad (Mr. Millshark, the orphanage head), but all fully realized by Mu?oz (Armadillos Sleep in Dugouts). Eventually, the heroine moves West, suffers a blow to her left eye that earns her the name "One-Eyed Charley," realizes her dream of owning her own property and, still disguised as a man, votes in the 1868 California presidential election?now recognized as the first woman ever to vote in the U.S. With a pacing that moves along at a gallop, this is a skillful execution of a fascinating historical tale. Selznick's drawings, which have an "American Gothic" feel, highlight the dramatic moments. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6?This fictionalized biography of the first woman to vote in the state of California, and perhaps in the whole United States, is fascinating. Charlotte Parkhurst, known as Charley, spent most of her life masquerading as a man. Raised in an orphanage where she is the only girl, she is prevented from being adopted by the staff, who put her to work in the kitchen. Her own predilection is to be with the horses and the elderly man who cares for them. Vern's tales of escaping slavery are the seeds of Charlotte's own desperate bid for freedom after her only other friend is adopted. Her knack with horses soon enables the disguised Charley to pursue her dream of driving a stagecoach. She does it so well that she is admired and sought after, and is offered the opportunity to earn a livelihood in the California gold fields. Many trials arise, including the loss of sight in her left eye, but throughout, Charlotte remembers her friends, works hard and persistently, and fulfills her ambitions, culminating in her voting in a presidential election. The author provides a compact and exciting story about real people who exemplify traits that readers admire. A concluding note tells more about the historical facts surrounding Parkhurst's life, but kids will read it just for the adventure. The full-page, black-and-white pencil drawings are well rendered and enhance the straightforward text.?Carol A. Edwards, Minneapolis Public Library
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Press; 1st edition (February 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 059095766X
• ISBN-13: 978-0590957663
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (95 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,948,190 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

PAM Muñoz Ryan is the author of more that thirty books for young readers, including four beloved novels, Riding Freedom, Esperanza Rising, Becoming Naomi León, and Paint the Wind, which collectively have garnered, among countless accolades, the Pura Belpré Medal, the Jane Addams Award, and the Schneider Family Award. She lives in Southern California with her family. You can visit her at www.PamMunozRyan.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars engaging story, even a boy could like, but be prepared!, June 19, 2000

By 

Jane James "homeschoolmum" (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Riding Freedom (Paperback)

My 9 year old son read this book, and so I read it, too, so we could discuss it together. It's a very engaging story. My son read it in a day - he couldn't put it down, and I found that I couldn't, either.

There are some very good themes in this book -- the main character is very strong, determined, and survives despite having the odds stacked against her. One thing in particular that I liked is how she doesn't necessarily learn how to do new things with great speed -- but she keeps at it until she has learned a new skill, and is successful at it. I think this is a particularly good thing for children to read about. Not all skills are immediate, and working to achieve proficiency is worthwhile.

Other major themes are the importance of voting, the rights of women, the ability of girls to learn to do jobs formerly considered only fit for boys, facing fears in order to overcome subjugation and make a better life for oneself, and growing up without parents. Slavery is touched on.

This book lends itself to the discussion of any of these topics, and my son and I had some very good talks as a result.

I did feel the story ended a little abruptly. I was completely unprepared for it to be over, I was hoping more would be explained, and I felt dissatisfied after finishing the book.

I must say that I also felt a bit uncomfortable reading about the woman whom the story is actually based on. (She lived her life as a man, and it wasn't discovered until after her death that she was female.) While this book presents topics for children to discuss that are interesting and worthwhile, I don't know that all parents would feel that this book is appropriate for their children to read.

I would suggest that parents read the back of the book first, before handing it to the children to read. Be prepared for some questions!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hooray! A real life adventure for girls of all ages., July 18, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Riding Freedom (Paperback)

My daughter (age 9) read this to herself one weekend, then she re-read it aloud to me in the car the following week (we have a very long commute to work and school). We both loved this book. As an adventure, it is as good as Tom Sawyer, or Treasure Island, or Kidnapped--and it is a girl's adventure! It is a great book for young girls who are beginning to feel the need for adventure and independence or for girls who love horses.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Megan at Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary School, January 31, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Riding Freedom (Paperback)

I give this book five stars because I think Riding Freedom is a good book. It was an encouraging book. It is about a girl named Charlotte Parkhurst who loves horses. This book is a historical fiction story; it is a wonderful book. My favorite part was when she saw a pitchfork aiming at her face. I recommend this book. I really enjoyed it. Pam Munoz Ryan and Brian Selslick did a great job.