The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls: A Novel
by Anton DiSclafani

Pub Date: June 4, 2013

Rating: 4/5

Lately I’ve been loving historical novels — Above All Things, Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald, The Bookman’s Tale. When The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls: A Novel showed up in my mailbox last week I knew I had to put it at the top of my pile. Luckily it didn’t disappoint.

Thea Alwell is the daughter of a wealthy heiress and a doctor. Born a fraternal twin, her life has been about carving out a place beside her brother. When a certain someone starts paying attention to only Thea, she becomes caught up in the attention. Rather than watch her perfect family unravel as a result of her actions, she’s sent to the Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls.

Built as a retreat for wealthy girls, the riding camp has become a haven for daughters of the rich during the Great Depression. The girls are given lessons in elocution, French, manners and, of course, riding. Though at first Thea feels like an outsider, she quickly comes into her own.

This book read a lot like a season of Downton Abbey. Thea reminds me a lot of Lady Mary – she’s headstrong and has a brief dalliance that threatens to ruin her life.

All-in-all I really liked this book and recommend it if you’re looking for something to read during your commute.

Read-a-Likes

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
Every Day After by Laura Golden
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
Rules of Civility by Amos Towles
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winifred Watson

Since this book reads a lot like a coming of age novel, I thought I’d include some additional picks for YA readers:

Children/YA Books

Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
Kit Boxed Set

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions expressed above are my own.