Dear Ms. Ryan,

I just finished reading your book, Riding Freedom, to my third grade class. Words will never be able to tell you how much my students enjoyed this story. I wish you could have been here to witness the interest and strong emotions that my students displayed each day during storytime.

One day, Demitrius was ill and had to spend quite some time in the lavatory. His Dad was called and summoned to pick his son up from school. As sick as Demitrius felt, his only concern was that he would miss storytime and Riding Freedom. He begged me to read before he left and of course I did.

I can't tell you how many times we cried at Charlotte's adventures. Another student, Corey, asked if she could be in charge of bringing the tissue box to storytime. Every child in my class was honestly moved by your words.

My students love to read and we often write to our favorite authors and illustrators. Expect to receive mail from Williamstown, New Jersey. A few of them have checked with the local library and book stores and haven't been able to locate your book. I will ask our school librarian to order Riding Freedom for Whitehall School's library.

I have told other teachers about your book and suggested that they share this story with their students. Thank you very much for giving us the story of Charlotte. She has truly left an impression on us. We would love to hear from you.
                                                                   Patricia Bonann
                                                                   Whitehall School
                                                                   Williamstown, NJ

Published Reviews of Riding Freedom:

"Thanks to help with research and direction from the Santa Cruz Historical Society, Ryan has deftly woven all available sources on Parkhurst into a mesmerizing narrative with wide appeal"
                                        Lauren Coodley
                                       San Francisco Chronicle & Examiner

"With a pacing that moves along at a gallop, this is a skillful execution of a fascinating historical tale."
                                       Publisher's Weekly

"In a lively historical novel, Ryan draws on the true life story of charlotte Darkey Parkhurst, in the mid-nineteenth century, who disguised herself as a boy at the age of 12 and ran away from a grim New Hampshire orphanage."
                                       Booklist, Chicago, Illinois

"The story flows along effortlessly; the details of the stagecoach driver's life and skills are fascinating."
                                        Kirkus Reviews

"In her debut novel, Ryan combines historical fact with fictional license
to great effect. Her book is well-plotted and full of courageous and
tender moments. Charlotte was brave and practical, but also a dreamer, and Ryan has captured those disparate qualities from page to page."
                                        Leigh Fenly
                                        San Diego Union Tribune
Other Reviews
        `

Home    |   Books   |  Links    |   Advice   |   Biography  |  Q&A   |   Contact  |  Order