38:120 The First Four Years by Laura Ingalls Wilder

My review from 2012:

The last book by Laura in the Little House series, the manuscript of which was found in her possessions after she passed by her daughter Rose and was not printed until Rose's passing.  Similar in style but you can see the detail goes down to more bare bones as it progresses.  The first thing that strikes you is what a run of bad luck that family had after all the problems her Pa had had getting proved up on a homestead and then the first four years for her and Manly were filled with bad weather and the ruination of their crops time and time again, the loss of their son when he was only a few weeks old, and the loss of their home when it burned down shortly afterward.  But what really comes through louder, is their indomitable spirit, their tenacity to make it work, their love for each other and their daughter, their willingness to keep working hard even when it hadn't paid off yet.  That was the pioneer spirit and it was truly remarkable to read.


Page count: 134p/10,205p ytd/260,282p lifetime

27:120 Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Written when I read this 5 years ago and still true:

This book tells the story of a year in her husband's childhood.  It was a wonderful insight into a boys' life in a different part of the country and the attitudes of the time.  I'm enjoying reading about the earlier times in our country's past and I really enjoyed sharing it with my 10yr old. 

Page count: 357p/7,558p ytd/257,605p lifetime

4:120 These Happy Golden Years by Laura Ingalls Wilder

My post from 2011:
A simply lovely story detailing the courtship of Almanzo and Laura as well as Laura's growing up.  You see the steady, innocent affection shared by both of them and enjoy the quiet but sure way their relationship grows.  It was lovely to read a book where things were basically happy and good for all after everything we've seen the family go through. To know that their goodness and faith have brought them through to such a good place...it helps to restore faith in the universe.

What's interesting this time around is the difference in the boys' reactions. When I read this to my 3rd son 4+yrs ago, he was interested in how the relationship grew and what it meant long-term for Laura.  Reading this to my 4th son now, he would do nothing but roll his eyes at all relationship stuff and wanted nothing to do with any of the questions or activities that dealt with growing relationships.  He has enjoyed the rest of the series and I'm sure he'll like Farmer Boy which we are doing next but it will be interesting to see how he is with The First Four Years.  I'm expecting a lot of eye-rolling with that one too.

Page count: 289p/1,372p ytd/251,667p lifetime

123:120 Little Town on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder

My second time reading it.  Here's the review from my first time:

</i>The long winter is over and  is over and opportunities are popping up all over for Laura.  She is offered her first job in town helping a seamstress which helps her earn the money to send Mary off to the school for the blind.  She continues to study hard even when she finds it difficult due to the distractions that being in a town offer like sociables and Literaries the first winter after that long one and then revivals, sociables, and the school exhibition.  Not to mention that Mr. Almanzo Wilder has been asking to see her home after these events.  Laura misses Mary terribly but at the end is offered a job as a school-teacher which, although only for 2mos, will bring enough money in to allow for Mary to come home for the summer.

Again, I'm always touched by how sweet these books are.  Times are simpler, if harder, but it definitely makes the simple seem gentle and sweet.  </i>


Page count: 374p/31,604p ytd/246,520p lifetime

101:120 The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder

My review from 2011:

This one sees the Ingalls move back into town after hearing that the winter will be harsh.  Little did anyone know exactly how harsh it would end up being and how lucky they would all be to survive.  7 months of blizzards ended up completely stopping the supply trains and leaving almost the entire town on the brink of starvation.  But it also shows the determination and fortitude of the pioneers that they not only managed to find ways to survive and grow stronger from it but they continually tried to do so with a positive attitude.  Such amazing people. 

I think that says it all.


Page count: 334p/26,770p ytd/241,686p lifetime

28:120 By the Shores of Silver Lake by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Previous review:
The Ingalls have been struck by scarlet fever and poor crops.  There is no money, Mary has lost her eyesight, and their little boy did not make it out of infancy.  This is where this book picks up.  Pa is invited to help Aunt Docia and her husband with their inn for railroad workers in the new town of De Smet which is on the shores of the Silver Lake.  With few prospects in Plum Creek, Pa agrees and the family again moves west.  The end of the book sees them settled on a new homestead for what they hope will be the last time.

Again, these are wonderful tales of the pioneer spirit.  Laura is fiesty but is settling down and stepping up to help take Mary's place as her mother's main helper.  The family has been through so much and you can only hope each time that their luck will eventually turn around because despite everything, they keep a cheerful outlook, faith, and hope.

Page count: 290p/5,904p/220,838p

6:120 On the Banks of the Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder

My review from a few years ago when I read this book with DS3:

I've really just been loving these books, much more than I ever thought I would.  I love the independent nature of the family, how they deal with adversity, how they cherish what they have but continue to hope for that little something like money for new shoes.   I found it interesting that even at a young age the girls are taught not to cry over things.  You always think of that as something boys are taught but not the girls.  I really love and admire Laura's spirit and I love how Pa seems to encourage it so long as it's safe for her.  Really sets some preconceived notions on how people used to raise their children on end.

I'm sticking with this.  I'm now really wanting to get my hands on her autobiography to see more about the discrepancies I've heard about.

Page count: 358p/2,016p ytd/216,950p lifetime

97:120 Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder

1st book in the Little House on the Prairie series.  Laura is about 5 years old during this book which covers approximately a one year span of time with her and her family living in a log cabin in the woods of Wisconsin. We get to see how she played and learn about life during that time from the eyes of a child which is always an interesting way to learn history.  It's a sweet, simple tale filled with the joy and innocence of childhood and love of life and family.

This is my second time reading this and doing it with one of my children as part of our curriculum.  The Prairie Primer curriculum incorporates so much by using these books.  We made butter, cheese, molasses on snow candy, and hasty pudding.  We learned about whittling, line dancing, harvesting maple syrup, and how honey is made and collected.  We studied Louis Pasteur and the California Gold Rush.  It's amazing how this book can be a jumping off point for so much.

Page count: 238p/26,051p ytd/207,089p lifetime