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In 1930, the Great Depression is hitting America hard. At the same time, tragedy has struck the Atwell family, leading to the expulsion of daughter Thea from her home. At 15, she finds herself living in the Blue Ridge Mountains, at a boarding school focused on equestrianism. Far from her family home in Florida, she finds herself in the middle of a complicated social scene.
The girls at the school are beautiful and moneyed. Thea finds herself isolated and alone, even more so than the quiet existence she’d had back in Florida at her parents’ citrus farm. Her dreamy, free childhood is a world away from what she is now experiencing at school. She finds herself drawn to a few of the girls, but also to Mr. Holmes, the school’s headmaster.
At the start of the book, it’s unclear as to what drove Thea from her home. We learn that she lived with her parents and twin brother, Sam, and that her isolated childhood was broken only by occasional visits from her aunt, uncle and older cousin, George. Her background is slowly revealed throughout the course of the book, even as her life is reshaped by her experiences at the Yonahlossee Riding Camp.
Thea was forced to grow up too fast. Her precocious nature continues to get her into trouble at school. She is very bright, although intelligence is not highly valued at the school that is more focused on horses and social niceties. She is driven by impulses but she is also a very deep thinker. She stands out from her far wealthier classmates, but seeks acceptance by competing against the other girls for horseback riding awards.
She struggles to take responsibility for her past. Growing up removed from society as she was, she did not understand her very normal hormones as she became a teenager. The desires she felt led to the tragedy that befell her family and sent her away from her home. These desires also lead to a new flirtation with danger as she grows closer and closer to Mr. Holmes.
Thea is a difficult character. She’s quite selfish and can be very cruel at times. She is driven by her sexuality, which keeps getting her into trouble. She’s not the easiest character to like or to even sympathize with. Horses are the only thing that brings out her kindness and compassion.
I don’t know much about equestrianism, but author Anton DiSclafani’s descriptions paint a lovely picture about the bond between horses and riders. She also depicts the Great Depression era very well. While Thea isn’t the easiest character to like, “The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls” is engaging and beautifully written. I only wish the protagonist stood out as much as the descriptions of the time period and horses.
