The Ride of Her Life establishes hope and resilience as a primary theme, arguing that Annie’s persistent sense of hope helped her weather disappointment and stay committed to her goal during her yearlong trip across the US. The book describes Annie’s unfortunate circumstances, suggesting that because she lacked the luxury of a financial or personal safety net, she relied on hopefulness and determination to stay resilient. Living in a “shack” on her family farm, Annie worked constantly just to live hand-to-mouth:

They didn’t have electricity. Their water came from a pump, their heat from a wood-burning cast-iron stove. It might have been New Year’s Day, but there was no holiday from the endless chores that marked their days on the top of Woodman Hill (7).

The book connects Annie’s humble upbringing with her enduring sense of hope: “That was how she got along that year. And every year. You had to have hope” (9). This mindset prompted Annie to set her adventure in motion and helped her on the road as well. Annie encountered numerous challenges, from traffic accidents to losing her animals and falling ill. The text highlights her stubborn hopefulness, suggesting that this trait made Annie impervious to these obstacles.