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7th out of 42 books
—
60 voters
Riding Freedom
A reissue of Pam Munoz Ryan's bestselling backlist with a distinctive new author treatment.
In this fast-paced, courageous, and inspiring story, readers adventure with Charlotte Parkhurst as she first finds work as a stable hand, becomes a famous stage-coach driver (performing brave feats and outwitting bandits), finds love as a woman but later resumes her identity as a man...more
In this fast-paced, courageous, and inspiring story, readers adventure with Charlotte Parkhurst as she first finds work as a stable hand, becomes a famous stage-coach driver (performing brave feats and outwitting bandits), finds love as a woman but later resumes her identity as a man...more
Paperback, 144 pages
Published
September 1st 1999
by Scholastic Paperbacks
(first published January 1st 1998)
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This historical fiction book is based on Parkhurst's life and experiences. Although this book has a slow (and tragic) beginning, it picks up speed as it moves along. Charlotte was raised as an orphan with all boys. She eventually ran away and spent her life disguised as a man. Because she was disguised as a man, she was the first woman ever to vote (even though no one realized she was a woman until her death).
As a woman living in the 1800's, Charlotte had to maintain her disguise in order to li...more
As a woman living in the 1800's, Charlotte had to maintain her disguise in order to li...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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1 like · like · see review
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
2 likes · like · see review
Aug 27, 2011
Librarianforhim
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommended to Librarianforhim by:
Solano Kids Read Committee
Plot: Charlotte Parkhust lived in a boys orphanage after the death of her parents. She left the orphanage after her best friend was adopted. After that she disguised herself as a boy and learned to drive a stagecoach. She made her way in the world at a time when most doors were closed to women.
Why I picked it up - This is another book a committee I'm on is considering for our annual one book, one county reading event.
Why I kept reading - Charlotte was such a strong, inspiring character. The aut...more
Why I picked it up - This is another book a committee I'm on is considering for our annual one book, one county reading event.
Why I kept reading - Charlotte was such a strong, inspiring character. The aut...more
Nov 08, 2012
2Caitlyn
added it
This book is about how this girl who runs away form a orphanage because she is tired of working in the kitchen and wants to be the horses so she goes to a stage run to get away from Killshark but she has no clue were she is going to go so she finds a job at a stable were she can sleep there and take of the horses when she fought out that she needed to move the horses to Rhode Island she has to be taught how to take a 6 horses at a time on a wagon She was scared at once so she got lessons the fir...more
Aw, I really liked this book. Firstly, I like to see when authors really do their research, and Ryan did hers before creating this book! This true story is very inspiring in that it tells the story of a girl, Charlotte Parkhurst, living in a sexist society where women haven't a voice nor could they choose what they longed to do. In order to chase her dreams of riding horses and owning her own ranch, she disguises herself as a man. I think that, for students, a story like this provides glimpses o...more
This isn't your typical "young girl and her horse" book. I've read every single one I could get my hands one, but this is about the most unusual one I've read.
That's because Charlotte is so unusual. Her choices always surprised me. Also, her horse Freedom dies in the very beginning of the story (that caught me off guard!) Several other terrible things happen to her during the course of the story, bringing her to the edge of despair. But always she manages to find someway to keep moving forward....more
That's because Charlotte is so unusual. Her choices always surprised me. Also, her horse Freedom dies in the very beginning of the story (that caught me off guard!) Several other terrible things happen to her during the course of the story, bringing her to the edge of despair. But always she manages to find someway to keep moving forward....more
I selected this book named Riding freedom because when i first looked it feels in me that have to read it. Then i was rigth when i first read the three page it motive me so fast.This book makes you think alot of things you maight know. Makes you motive an express your self. i see this book intersting aint iwas right.Also my teacher ms. Nelso tell me that is a good book to read.
I think that i maight dont like it but its a great book. when you started to read it seen to you a interesting book. i...more
I think that i maight dont like it but its a great book. when you started to read it seen to you a interesting book. i...more
Charlotte Parkhurst
1860's
Charlotte is orphaned at the age of 2 when the wagon her family is riding goes off the road. She lives in an orphanage until the age of 12. Her time in the orphanage is rough. She is forced to work in the kitchen with Mrs. Boyle, who has prevented her from being adopted due the fact that she needs her as a kitchen hand. When the director of the orphanage orders her to stop working in the stables and spend all her time in the kitchen Charlotte decides to run away. Verne,...more
1860's
Charlotte is orphaned at the age of 2 when the wagon her family is riding goes off the road. She lives in an orphanage until the age of 12. Her time in the orphanage is rough. She is forced to work in the kitchen with Mrs. Boyle, who has prevented her from being adopted due the fact that she needs her as a kitchen hand. When the director of the orphanage orders her to stop working in the stables and spend all her time in the kitchen Charlotte decides to run away. Verne,...more
Based on a true story of woman before her time. Interesting notes about her life at the end.
Her parents get killed in wagon wreck (graphically in 1st chapter) when she's two. She lives in an orphanage. In a stressful 2nd chapter, her favorite horse dies of an infection, her only friend, a boy, gets adopted, and she is told she can't ride horses anymore. So she runs away. She gets to work with horses and learns to drive teams of horses. She is blinded in one eye by a horse kick but gets to drive...more
Her parents get killed in wagon wreck (graphically in 1st chapter) when she's two. She lives in an orphanage. In a stressful 2nd chapter, her favorite horse dies of an infection, her only friend, a boy, gets adopted, and she is told she can't ride horses anymore. So she runs away. She gets to work with horses and learns to drive teams of horses. She is blinded in one eye by a horse kick but gets to drive...more
A well-researched book based on the real life "Charley Parkhurst" - a stage driver and respected community member in the Santa Cruz, CA area who after "he" died was found to be a woman who had lived her life as a man. Parkhurst had succeeded in a man's world at a man's job, and even voted in presidential elections. Munoz Ryan does a good job fictionalizing the story, and walking the reader through a life in a slim book and a very fast read. Would be a good read-aloud (fast!) to add to a unit on...more
Riding Freedom by Pam Munoz Ryan is based on the true story of Charlotte Darkey Parkhurst, a strong, independent young woman who made her way in a world of men in the mid-1800s. She lost her parents when she was just a toddler and lived her early life in an orphanage filled with boys. She quickly became adept at taking care of, riding, and training horses. Charley had what it took to be a first-rate carriage driver...and that she did. She ran away from the orphanage since she knew her gender wou...more
By the age of 12, Charlotte Parkhurst knows the world of the 1860s holds more opportunities for boys than girls. So she cuts off her hair, dons boy's clothing and begins a new life that gives her many privileges, including the right to vote. Finalist for the 1999-2000 California Young Reader Medal. "A skillful execution of a fascinating historical tale, " says "...moreBy the age of 12, Charlotte Parkhurst knows the world of the 1860s holds more opportunities for boys than girls. So she cuts off...more
This is a fictional account of Charlotte Parkhurst (Charley or One-Eye Charley), a woman who drove coaches both on the East and West Coasts. Charley becomes an orphan at a young age and is placed at an orphanage for boys. Because she is the only girl, she becomes the kitchen maid of the place and the mean cook steps in the way to prevent her from being adopted - the cook is more concerned about losing her help. Charley loves to work with the horses and has one true friend Hayward. When she loses...more
I thought this book might appeal to some of my younger readers who like horse stories. Maybe, but there's much more history than horses in this story. It really is the true story of Charlotte Parkhurst, a girl orphaned in every sense of the word who lives as a boy on her own in the 1860s. I know the story is supposed to be about her pioneering spirit, and that WAS in there, but I couldn't help but feel sad for a young girl who was unloved by those who should have cared for her at the orphanage,...more
There are definite similarities to "The Dreamer" in this book, and while I found that to be the better book that should not be held against it. I can't believe I've never heard of Charlotte Parkhurst before this book. Her story is extremely fascinating and the stuff great movies and tall tales are made of. That bodes well for this book, which mixes fact and fiction together into a delicious, reader-friendly concoction. Ryan's writing isn't as gorgeous as it was in "The Dreamer," but it is still...more
I enjoy the story of Charlotte's determination to leave the orphanage that she lives and her journey to a new life. Her love for horses and her ability to work with horses and horse wagons supplies her with the opportunity to earn a living. However, this is not an occupation for women and Charlotte's disguise as Charley gives her the opportunities that she dreams of. This is a story of her survival and how she strives to succeed in a world where women did not even have the right to vote.
I have u...more
I have u...more
When I was a kid and I got Riding Freedom for my birthday, I was worried it would be another boring girl-and-her-horse story. Instead, I got a bad-[...] adventure story about a girl dressing up as a boy and doing what she loves. Riding Freedom remains one of the best girl-passing-off-as-guy stories I've ever read, well-written and populated by a clever and interesting character. This is the kind of book that gets kids thinking. It certainly did for me.
Highly recommended for kids aged 8-11. The w...more
Highly recommended for kids aged 8-11. The w...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
In the beginning of this book is, when Charlotte is in the scene of her parents in a storm, in a Stage Coach (a carriage). Then, she gets sent to the Orphanage by her neighbors, who took her to the Doctor, to make sure she was not hurt.
In the middle of this book is, when the horse she rides in races with, Freedom, dies. Then her friend, at the Orphanage, Hayward, gets adopted. Then she runs away. Then she dresses as a boy.
In the -early end-, she finds Ebeneezer. When she starts to ride a Stag...more
In the middle of this book is, when the horse she rides in races with, Freedom, dies. Then her friend, at the Orphanage, Hayward, gets adopted. Then she runs away. Then she dresses as a boy.
In the -early end-, she finds Ebeneezer. When she starts to ride a Stag...more
An excellent book based on a true story of a woman who lived as a man in the 1800's to escape the rampant sexism of her time, as well to pursue her dreams of riding horses and having her own ranch. Along the way she became the first woman to vote in California (disguised as a man), well before women had the right to vote. Brian Selznick's illustrations are excellent (as always! Wish there were more though) and Pam Ryan's does a stupendous job of telling the story in a way that it should keep the...more
This has been my favorite book since fifth grade. I dont read alot, but i would recomend this book to mostly everyone.
This is a story about a girl named Charlotte who is the only girl at the adoption center, the adoption center also has a barn around it thats she spends most of her time in. Things got worse for her, after her favorite horse passes away and her best friend Hayward gets adopted. Charlotte decides to escape the adoption center and start a new life.
Read this book and find out how...more
This is a story about a girl named Charlotte who is the only girl at the adoption center, the adoption center also has a barn around it thats she spends most of her time in. Things got worse for her, after her favorite horse passes away and her best friend Hayward gets adopted. Charlotte decides to escape the adoption center and start a new life.
Read this book and find out how...more
I thought this was a stupendous story for young readers. The protagonist is a strong, intelligent young woman who took a stand during a time where women were undervalued in society, and made something of herself by picking herself up by her boot straps. It was encouraging to read a heroine so courageous and full of spunk who was more concerned with women's rights than falling for a boy. Even better, it was based on a real person so it makes the reader want to research Charlotte Parkhurst. Overal...more
3.5 stars. I enjoyed reading this story, which is based on the true story of Charlotte Parkhurst, a female who pretended to be male in order to be able to do what she wanted in the early 1800s. It's a cute story that girls should be able to relate to quite easily and anyone who is into horses will also probably love this. The writing is simple so it's probably written on a fourth or fifth grade level but the ideas will get kids talking and the pictures are also really cool (Brian Selznick is the...more
I loved the book kind of reminded me the movie She's the Man.
(Highly) fictional account of Charlotte/Charley Parkhurst. The story starts near where I'm living now, so that was pretty cool. It's a girl/woman who lives as a boy/man, so that's cool. It covers a lot of ground geographically and temporally, so it doesn't go very in-depth, like. Kind of.. surface story.
Horses are important to the story, but it's not really a horse story. I feel the cover is a little misleading in that. But it's fine. I'm not a fan of horse stories.
Lightning comes before thunder...more
Horses are important to the story, but it's not really a horse story. I feel the cover is a little misleading in that. But it's fine. I'm not a fan of horse stories.
Lightning comes before thunder...more
Riding Freedom is an amazing story about a young orphan girl in the 1800's who decided that the only way she would get to be a horse trainer is by running away from the orphanage and disguising herself as a boy. Based on a true story, "Charley" accomplishes her goal and lives out her life pretending to be a man. She was the first woman to vote, although under her guise. I would love to use this book as a read aloud for third or fourth grade, and discuss how history has changed for women because...more
Charlotte's parents both die when lightning startles the horses that are pulling their carriage. Since she has no other relatives, Charlotte is sent to an orphanage for boys - the only one around. As a young girl, she loves working in the stables and racing the horses until a jealous boy from town says it isn't proper for a girl, and she is forced to stop and given more household chores for the orphanage. But Charlotte has dreams of owning her own ranch and training horses and she won't let the...more
I liked reading this book because i liked the storyline of this book. This book is about a girl named Charlotte who was an orphan. She was in a orphanage that was for boys and she didn't mind that. She did everything the boys did including riding horses. She rode on a horse named Freedom which died one morning and she was not allowed to ride horses anymore. She was force to work in the kitchen and she didn't want to work there. Se was determined to run away from the orphanage. In the 1800's girl...more
This book is about a girl named Charlotte. Her pearents died by a driving a coach. Then she moved in to arphanage for boys. She loved horses, but her favorite hourse died by being sick. Then her best friend Haywood had to go to a new family. So then Charlotte wanted to leve the arphanage! The she goes to the big wide world. I like this book because does lots of adventors that she does in this book. Also I think she is a very kind and brave charitore. This book is good for poeple that like advent...more
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“... and her name was Freedom.”
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4 people liked it
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Feb 13, 2009 06:36am