Charlotte Parkhurst personifies strength and resiliency. She boldly and stubbornly faces challenges and does not allow her spirit to be broken. As a baby, Charlotte withstood fevers, then survived her parents' fatal wagon crash. She underwent developmental phases ahead of normal babies, foreshadowing her pioneering achievements. Charlotte only cries when something she values is taken away, such as Hayward being adopted, hearing that Vern died, or injuring her eye. Her doctor described Charlotte as "determined as a mule and tough as a rawhide bone." Charlotte grasped the rein of her parents' horse, which could be interpreted as her attempt to hold onto her heritage and guide her future. The same doctor kindly cuts a section of this rein for Charlotte to wear to connect her to her past.

Wanting a more interesting life, twelveyear-old Charlotte realizes that she will have more options as a...