Little Town on the Prairie

The Ingalls family have just come off that “long winter” with blizzard after blizzard after blizzard. Pa is working construction in town, in addition to growing corn and oats and raising a few animals on the homestead. In order to help with money to be able to send Mary to college, Laura takes a sewing job in town. Once that ends, school is starting. At 14-almost-15, Laura needs to be serious at school, so she can get her teacher’s certificate when she turns 16 so she can help with money in order to keep Mary at college.

A surprise person from Laura’s life a few years earlier reappears in her life at school this year. She knows who Almanzo Wilder is, as she sees him around town and he once gave her a ride to school when she is running late. As the Ingalls’ move into town for the second winter in a row, the people in town are creating more social activities to do. And the town keeps growing.

This is such an enjoyable series. The illustrations are very nice. There is one uncomfortable bit of town entertainment near the end, unfortunately, but at the time that it would have happened it wasn’t frowned upon, though it most certainly is now (to say the least). Laura’s recitation of American history is, while impressive, European white history. So, due to the time period it is set, there are some no-so-good things about the book, but overall, I still find these books a lot of fun. ( )

A little lighthouse on the Hudson River regains its pride when it finds out that it is still useful and has an important job to do.

Knowing Laura's fascination with certain horses, how could I help but rejoice that she became better acquainted with their owner? It wasn't until I aged a bit more that I really began to enjoy the subtle hints of the future. Wilder is an accomplished writer. Every time I pick up one of her books I remember how age-encompassing she is and how she makes even the most mundane events seem exciting enough for a chapter. ( )

I love Laura Ingalls Wilder as an author. I think her books are interesting and well written. Her descriptions of events, places, people, and time periods cannot be beat and it draws you right in. ( )

The little settlement is now a growing town. Laura, now 15, is growing up too.