Riding Freedom

Riding Freedom is a captivating historical fiction novel based on the life of Charley Parkhurst, a real-life figure who defied societal norms. The story follows Charlotte, an orphan who escapes her restrictive life by posing as a boy, Charley, to work with horses and eventually become a renowned stagecoach driver in 19th-century California. It's a fast-paced adventure that delves into themes of identity, resilience, independence, and overcoming adversity, including personal loss. Ideal for readers aged 4-11, it offers a unique lens into gender roles and historical challenges.

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 after the loss of a baby and the tragic death of her husband, and ultimately settles out west on the farm she'd dreamed of having since childhood. It wasn't until after her death that anyone discovered she was a woman.