Laura Ingalls Wilder (1867–1957)

The fledgling town of De Smet in the Dakota Territory is hit hard by the brutal winter of 1880-1881. Laura, Pa, Ma, Mary, Carrie, and little Grace face the winter as best they can, but soon, blizzards have covered the town in snow that piles up to the rooftops, cutting the town off from supplies and trade. Food stores begin to run dangerously low. To save the town from starvation, young Almanzo Wilder and a friend brave the conditions, set off across the prairie in search of wheat, and return victorious. The town is saved, and the townspeople share in an unusual, but joyful, Christmas celebration.… (mais)

The Ingalls family has seen both joy and hardship since the end of "On the Banks of Plum Creek". Mary has been left blind from a battle with scarlet fever, and a new sister, Grace, has been born. Pa decides to move to a railroad camp in the unsettled Dakota Territory to work as a bookkeeper to earn money. Eventually, Laura, her sisters, and Ma travel by train to join Pa at the spot he's claimed for their new home. They spend a long winter in the surveyor's house, and in the spring, Pa begins to build a store. It's the first building in what will become the town of De Smet. Finally, the Ingalls family's travels by covered wagon are over.… (mais)

Writing: 4.5; Theme: 5.0; Content: 5.0; Language: 5.0; Overall: 5.0

This is the first in this classic children's series based on the life of the Ingalls' family as told from Laura Ingalls Wilder's perspective. The author shares the many fun adventures of prairie living as a family living in the Big Woods of Wisconsin. We are introduced to the Ingalls' family (Charles, Caroline and their three children- Mary, the oldest, Laura, and their youngest, Carrie). There are many wonderful principles taught throughout with Wilder's homely style of writing. Highly recomend.

***December 5, 2023***… (mais)