By: Pam Muñoz Ryan
Illustrated by: Brian Selznick★★★★★
Summary
Charlotte Parkhurst became an orphan at the age of two when her parents were killed in a horse and buggy wreck during a storm. She grew up in an orphanage for boys where she helped in the kitchen and spent as much time as she could out in the stables with the horses.
One Day she knew that she had to leave, or be stuck in the kitchen forever. She disguises herself as a boy, because of course a girl can't travel alone in the mid 1800's, and narrowly escapes. In the next few years, she has several close call but ends up as "Charley" spending the rest of her days among horses and stagecoaches making quite a name for herself.
Review
Riding Freedom is a truly lovely book of historical fiction. In a note from the author, we find out that this story is based on the true life story of Charlotte Darkey Parkhurst, making this an even more charming novel. I would most defiantly recommend this book to 3rd-6th graders.
Author Website
http://www.pammunozryan.com/
This website has some great resources for teachers including a few reader's theater scripts for her other books, none yet for Riding Freedom.
Technical Stuff
Ryan, Pam Muñoz. Riding Freedom. Ill. Brian Selznick. Scholastic Inc. New York. 1998.
ISBN-13: 978-0-439-08786-4
ISBN-10: 0-439-08796-1
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