Riding Freedom

by Pam Muñoz Ryan

Book Overview

Children's Literature Legacy Award Winner

This remarkable story was inspired by the true adventures of a little known, horse-loving heroine of the west. Perfect for fans of Pax, Wildoak, and A Horse Named Sky.

Charlotte Parkhurst was raised in an orphanage for boys, which suited her just fine. She didn't like playing with dolls, she could hold her own in a fight, and she loved to work in the...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0439087961
• ISBN13: 9780439087964
• Release Date: September 1999
• Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.26 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.2" x 7.5"
• Age Range: 9 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 7

Customer Reviews

"Riding Freedom" is an excellent book

Although the title character is not in the book much, "Riding Freedom" is a surprisingly gritty book about orphan girl Charlotte trying to work with horses in the 1800s. It's an adventuresome tale for all young readers full of excitement and girl power!

Riding Freedom

Riding Freedom takes place in a town in the south eastern part of the United States. The book is about a girl's life as she becomes a young woman in the 1800's. Charlotte (the girl) was in the orphanage when she was a kid, because her parents died when she was only two years old. Charlotte's favorite horse, Freedom, died after a race that the two won. Then, Charlotte got banned from the stables and lost her best friend, Hayward. Since she was so miserable, she ran away diguised as a boy (named Charley) with the help of an elderly man named Vern, who worked at the stables in the orphanage. Charlotte then begins to work for a man named Embeezer. She cleaned the stalls and was a stage coach when she was only twelve. She had to work hard for food and shelter. Then, Embeezer, Charlotte, the other workers and horses moved to Rhode Island. Years later, she travelled to California to train horses as a stage coach. But when she was cleaning the hoof of a wild horse, he kicked her in the eye. Then someone took Charlotte to the hospital. She had lost all control of motion in her left eye (that the horse kicked), so she wore an eye patch. Since she had one good eye, all she was able to do was clean the stalls and feed the horses. She no was longer able to work with the wild horses or remain as a stage coach. But Charlotte had not lost hope. She started training two horses by herself, and then started training six horses. She wanted to prove to James (a stage coach at the stables) that she could train six horses, even with one good eye. And she did. So now, Charlotte was riding horses again. Then, one day, it was so stormy out, you couldn't even see the roads. However, she needed to take a group of people to another town. The other workers told it was too dangerous, but she promised that she would get them there safely. So Charlotte started off and came across a bridge. When she reached the bridge, Charlotte tested it to see how sturdy it was (not very). So, she escorted each person once at a time over the bridge until one stubborn man refused budge. Then, Charlotte said, "If you don't want to move, I'll just have to help you move, Sir." Still grumbling, the man to the other side of the bridge. A few minutes later, Charlotte tried to ride the horses over the bridge, but right slab-dab in the middle of the bridge, Charlotte had a flashback of her mother and father dying, as well as the words they said before they died. Moments later, Charlotte zoned back to what was happening, trying not to fall off the bridge, into the rushing water. As soon at the back wheels touched the ground, the bridge collapsed. Everyone cheered and yelled, and the stubborn man said, "You saved my life." After this, everyone heard about what Charlotte had done. They threw coins at her, in hopes that she would run over them. If she did, the thrower of the coin would have good luck. Later on, Charlotte was going to have a passenger who she despised, named Mr. Millshark. She hated him bec

Megan at Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary School

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.

Riding Freedom

This Historical Fiction book by Pam Munoz Ryan was literally the best book I've ever read. It is a story about a girl who lives in an orphanage. As a 12 year old, she finds no satisfaction in her life at the orphanage in being the cook's helper. Since her parents' death, only one thing matters to her- horses. So she runs away, disguised as a boy, determined to full-fill her dream of owning a ranch and horses. As a boy, she was allowed to vote, becoming the first woman to do so. Kids who read this book will be enchanted by the horses and will relate to Charlotte's determination because Charlotte was a girl about our age. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves horses or just likes a terrific read.

Riding Freedom

Riding Freedom By: Pam Ryan Riding Freedom is a story about a girl that runs a way from a orphanage. Charlotte starts to work for a carriage comp. but she has to turn in to a boy to keep working there. When the companion moves to rode island she gets hit in the face by a wild mustang. She is brought in to the doctor and the doctor finds out that she is a woman. The doctor says that she will not be able to drive the horses ever again. more than ever she wished she would of stayed back were she was with freedom but then she remembered that freedom had died. When she got back she wanted to ride a horse again she kept trying and trying until she knew everything about the roads. This is a very good book about a girl and horses. I would recommend this book for someone who likes a adventure book about a girl who runs a way from her orphanage. This a really good book to read.

Hooray! A real life adventure for girls of all ages.

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.