Little House on the Prairie

Little Town on the Prairie

Book cover: 'Little Town on the Prairie'
Author(s): 
Laura Ingalls Wilder
Number of pages: 
307 pages
Copyright: 
1941
Publisher: 
HarperTrophy
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
History
Setting: 
19th century
Grade / Age level: 
Elementary
Review: 
Laura continues her studies and enjoys life as a young teen in a growing frontier town.
First reviewed: 
2/15/01

These Happy Golden Years

Book cover: 'These Happy Golden Years'
Author(s): 
Laura Ingalls Wilder
Number of pages: 
289 pages
Copyright: 
1943
Publisher: 
HarperTrophy
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
History
Setting: 
19th century
Grade / Age level: 
Grades 6-8
Review: 
Laura, at only 15 years of age, teaches school in a neighboring town and is courted by Almanzo Wilder.

Another fascinating read from an excellent storyteller.

Caution: This story does contain some elements that may frighten younger or more sensitive children, namely, the situation of the Brewster family with whom Laura boards while teaching at the neighboring town. To give you a brief idea of the situation, Mrs. Brewster seems to be coming unglued, perhaps because of her isolation from all that she is used to. Their child is neglected. And Laura fears for her life after she sees Mrs. Brewster threaten her husband with a knife one night. Yet does not tell her family of her fears because she so wants to earn money for her sister Mary to be able to come home during her vacation.

First reviewed: 
2/15/01

The First Four Years

Book cover: 'The First Four Years'
Author(s): 
Laura Ingalls Wilder
Number of pages: 
134 pages
Copyright: 
1971
Publisher: 
HarperTrophy
Binding: 
Softcover
Subject(s): 
History
Setting: 
19th century
Grade / Age level: 
Grades 6-8
Review: 
Laura and Almanzo's first four years of married life and the difficulties of starting out as farmers. This book seems to have been written quite a bit later than the other books of the series and has quite a different flavor. When I first read the series in grade school I found this difference a little disappointing and confusing. The story is quite a good one, though, but geared more for older children (perhaps 12 and up).
Additional Comments: "According to a biography of Laura Ingalls Wilder, the book was begun shortly before Almanzo's death, and afterwards Laura lost interest in it; thus it was published "as is" some years after her death. The different tone is due to the fact that it is a first draft - she did not do the revising and "fleshing out" she did with the others."
(Contributed by Pat Dixon)

Reviewed by: 
Alicia Van Hecke
First reviewed: 
2-15-01

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