Cynthia Rylant does an excellent job of filling in the gaps for us in the little written about time of late 1875 through 1877. Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote very little about those years when she would have been about 8 - 10 years old. They were years of some strife and hardship on the Ingalls household, and this is probably an important time and book to add to your Little House Collection, a time that probably shaped and had quite an influence on her life.
This story looks like it would be read before "By The Shores of Silver Lake"
Due to hardships and events beyond their control Ma and Pa Ingalls had to pack up their wagon and their family several times during those years, and we learn of other people that touched their lives in some way. Selling the farm and deep in debt, moving to the city and working their fingers to the bone before they could settle down once again. Some of the stories, you will no doubt know from the Little House TV series, and although this book takes nothing away from that wonderful show, you will learn that they happened just a little differently and in different places. The birth and too short life of baby Charles Frederick, the coming of baby Grace, working at the hotel, and meeting another branch of the Ingalls family.
Laura's love of traveling West to the wide open country and her love of books and reading become apparent at her young age. And through all the strife, the family never lacks in love and spirit.Her wonderful with relationship with her family, but especially Pa, shines through here. You are taken from smiles to tears and in the end, just like the TV program, you are left with a big grin and maybe even a new outlook on life,
The book is recommended for 3rd through 7th grade, and I agree this would be a great read for that age group.It will certainly leave young readers hungry for more. But I have to say, that all ages will love these stories and for those especially that love the Little House series, "Old Town In The Green Groves" although not written by Wilder herself, will give you the same great feeling and will fill in some of those "lost years" for you.
It's a fairly fast read, not too long, and you will probably wish there was more.
Recommended for all to take another journey of love with Laura, Mary, Carrie, Ma, Pa and Jack the Dog!...Enjoy the read...Laurie Old Town in the Green Groves (Little House) - Childrens Books - Little House On The Prairie - Little House - Laura Ingalls Wilder'
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