Dude Girl

Jerris Nelson moves from Missouri to Wyoming when she is fifteen years of age. She is thrilled at the idea of really living in the West, until she finds it can be frightening as well as exciting. She makes friends with Paul Thomas and his mother, affectionately known as “Tommy.” Rachel Steward, a visitor at the Thomas ranch, takes Jerris in tow and attempts to teach her about the customs of cowboy land. Just as she is beginning to feel at home, Paul has an accident which upsets the Thomas plan for moving their horses to a new ranch in California.


Tommy, urged on by an enthusiastic Rachel, decides to make the journey into a pack trip for girls similar to those she has led before. The idea frightens Jerris at first, but she finally realizes she cannot miss the trip. Knowing nothing about horses, Jerris feels herself a real dude, fighting her own cowardice all during the long trek over the Rockies. As the adventure unfolds, she finds herself in more than one difficulty. But gradually, through determination and gallant effort, she conquers her instinctive fear and becomes a true horsewoman.


This entertaining book has a most lovable heroine-in addition to quantities of horses! For older girls and horse crazy young men.


Jacket drawing by Sandra James

Dodd, Mead & Company