The First Four Years

Book cover: The First Four Years
Author(s): 
Laura Ingalls Wilder
Illustrator(s): 
Garth Williams
Number of pages: 
134 pages
Copyright: 
1971
ISBN: 
9780064400312
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 notes: 

"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