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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
Not my favorite of the series, but a solid, satisfying ending.
I have zero memory of reading this as a kid; my guess is that this volume didn't interest me very much in elementary school, as a lot of it is devoted to the courtship between Laura and Almanzo. But as an adult, I found it INTENSELY charming. While other books in the series only cover a year or so, this installment spans three years time, as Laura grows from a 15 year old girl teaching school for the first time to an 18 year old woman engaged to be married. I really loved watching Laura and Almanzo's relationship unfold; Laura is always very much herself with him, and he seems to respect and admire that she's independent and brave. And with any Little House book, there are plenty of lovely family moments, exciting weather, and funny schoolhouse antics.
I read this book to fulfil the goal read a book you loved as a child. this was/is my favorite of all the little house books. i am a sucker for a coming of age/ overcoming hardships to live if not happily than at least successfully ever after. in a way i'm kindof sad to see this series come to an end. i wish she would have gone on writing. i know there are other books about her and i've read most of them. they just aren't written the same way. laura ingalls was one of a kind.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
Reread 2018: It really goes to show how tastes change over the years. This and the following book used to be my least favorite in the series, and now I'm pretty sure it's just because I couldn't relate yet - rereading at 19, in college and working part-time, deciding for real what I'm going to be when I grow up, and even in love with a pretty wonderful guy, the superficial and deeper themes of this novel have become so much more accessible to me, and thus it's become so much more enjoyable. It's a lot more subtle than other romances, continuing the quietly but happily domestic tone set in the previous books, and I love it.
Laura has taken a job teaching a school at the Brewster's claim. Mrs. Brewster is sullen and rude, and some of Laura's students are actually older than her. Laura does her best to teach the school, but she is miserable at the Brewster's house. Laura wishes she could go home at least for the weekends, but the snow and ice would make for too long of a drive across the prairie. But Almanzo Wilder shows up to drive her home in his new cutter with sleigh bells ringing! Laura begins to understand that Almanzo is interested in courting her, and she isn't sure how she feels about that.
This was always my favorite of the Little House books when I was a girl because of the sweet romance. with Almanzo. I was also inspired by the chapters with Laura teaching school. Although it was a very difficult situation, she figured out a way to inspire her students to love learning, and she gained their respect even though they were the same age as her or older.
All through the Little House books, Laura describes her happy family, how they work together, play and sing together, and how they trust and love each other. After seeing the misery in the Brewster house, Laura comes home and truly appreciates for the first time just how lovely her family is. She is filled with gratitude for their kindness and quiet ways, after having to endure the rudeness and shouting at the Brewster's.
I love the scenes with Mary coming home from college. You can feel the joy of the whole family on each page! We get to see how Mary has gained confidence and skills despite her blindness, but she has not forgotten her family during her years away from home, and she blends right back into their home life without any awkwardness. I especially like the scenes when Mary and Laura open up to each other and connect on a deeper level than they did as children. Now they are both young women, and they can relate to each other as adults. They open their hearts to one another as sisters, knowing they will find understanding and love.
There are some very excited scenes as Almanzo is breaking in a pair of colts to pull a buggy, and Laura goes with him on long drives across the prairie. But the colts won't behave, and they gallop and rear and pull against the reins! Laura even takes a turn driving them, and you can tell that Almanzo is impressed with her courage.
I love that Almanzo takes Laura to a singing school, so that they can sing in a youth choir together. He notices that her whole family loves to sing along with Pa's fiddle, and that Laura often sings on their drives together, so he knows that this is something she will enjoy. I love how thoughtful he is!
Overall, there are a lot of scenes in this book that inspire and interest me! These are stories that stay with you in your memory for a long time.
Read the full review here: http://newberyandbeyond.com/newbery-reviews-1944/
Laura may be older and being courted by Almanzo, but the series continues to be so kid friendly. Seeing the community grow is so interesting to see through the eyes of this family.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Not quite a five-star read, as it can move slowly in parts, but I loved the blossoming relationship between Almanzo and Laura - I wonder if she was truly this clueless, or if she revised for modesty's sake? Anyway, the proposal scene cracked me up, and like Anne of Green Gables (and me :) ) her engagement ring has pearls, I'd forgotten.
I sobbed through the last couple of chapters, sniffle.
Wonderful cap to the series (although I will re-read "First Four Years" in a few books, I'm sure)
I sobbed through the last couple of chapters, sniffle.
Wonderful cap to the series (although I will re-read "First Four Years" in a few books, I'm sure)