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Little Town on the Prairie (Little House) by…
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Little Town on the Prairie (Little House) (edition 2008)

by Laura Ingalls Wilder (Author), Garth Williams (Illustrator)

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingMentions
9,12374870 (4.13)163
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. ( )
1 vote LibraryCin | Feb 27, 2022 |
English (73)  French (1)  All languages (74)
Showing 1-25 of 73 (next | show all)
After listening to the first book of the little house series I couldn't resist myself to finish the series as soon as possible so that I know what happened to Laura and his family. I didn't read any other books before finishing this series. ( )
  rezaulhayat | Aug 6, 2023 |
how do you participate in the torment of your teacher and then become her sister-in-law? did Laura and Lazy Lousy Lizzie Jane ever talk over old times?? ( )
  alison-rose | May 22, 2023 |
Independent reading Level: Grades 4-5
Awards: Five of the Little House book have been Honor Books for the Newbery Medal. In 1938, On the Banks of Plum Creek, was an Honor Book; in 1940 By the Shores of Silver Lake was as well. ( )
  Zynasia | Apr 18, 2023 |
Wow, this is a tone shift from the previous one! Well, there is still 'blackbirds eat all our crops', but this is much more people living with people, Laura getting her first job, Laura going to school, Laura going to literaries and sociables, swapping name cards, going to birthday parties... it is very different from 'we are slowly freezing and starving to death'. And Almanzo is starting to court Laura (although she still seems more interested in his gorgeous horses than in him!) ( )
  atreic | Sep 2, 2022 |
“There is no comfort anywhere for anyone who dreads to go home.”
― Laura Ingalls Wilder, Little Town on the Prairie

I read the whole Little House series as a kid. I would like to reread some of them and this one is one of my all time faves from the series.

I adored the whole little house family and loved Laura's determination to become a teacher. I loved everything about the series and this book, even Nellie and her "name cards". I still get a smile on my face from these books even after all this time. ( )
  Thebeautifulsea | Aug 5, 2022 |
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. ( )
1 vote LibraryCin | Feb 27, 2022 |
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.
  BLTSbraille | Oct 14, 2021 |
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. ( )
  OutOfTheBestBooks | Sep 24, 2021 |
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. ( )
  KateKat11 | Sep 24, 2021 |
The little settlement is now a growing town. Laura, now 15, is growing up too.
  BLTSbraille | Sep 14, 2021 |
My son wishes he had known Laura and her friends and is worried how much she'll miss them when she goes off to teach. Since the girls are twice his age in this book, I'd say Laura was successful at bringing them alive to his imagination. ( )
  emrsalgado | Jul 23, 2021 |
The settlement that weathered the long, hard winter of 1880-81 is now a growing town. With spring comes a new job for Laura, town parties, and more time to spend with Almanzo Wilder. Laura also tries to help Pa and Ma save money so that Mary is able to go to a college for the blind.
  Gmomaj | Nov 17, 2020 |
The town of De Smet is growing, as is Laura. Now 15, she is about to finish school, hopefully to get her teacher's certificate. Mary is sent to college, and little Carrie is a weak child, but growing too. A decent entry in the series, severely marred by one chapter, "The Madcap Days," which adds absolutely nothing to the story other than a heavy dose of racism. If that one chapter were simply ripped out, it would be a much better book. Since these stories are at least semi-autobiographical, I assume the dreadful minstrel show depicted in that chapter did actually happen, but that doesn't make it any less appalling to a reader today. ( )
  fingerpost | Aug 26, 2020 |
The whole Little House series is heartwarming! A fantastic addition to any collection. ( )
  book_lady15 | Apr 3, 2020 |
A lot of this book focused on Laura’s time in school. Thanks to Nellie, who moved to town, the teacher hates Laura. Luckily she has sweet friends who stand by her. Laura also gets her first job, sewing shirts in town. She and her parents are saving money to send Mary to college and she is thrilled to be able to do her part.

It’s important to note that Ma’s hatred of the Indians and a black face musical show are unfortunate parts of the book. I know that those things were accepted in that time. I’ve use them to open conversations about prejudice with my kiddo. No matter when it’s written, it’s still not ok. ( )
  bookworm12 | Aug 23, 2019 |
Digital audiobook performed by Cherry Jones
3***

Book seven in the popular classic Little House series, has Laura growing into a young lady. She feels that the new teacher, Miss Wilder, is unfairly picking on her and her sister. Nellie Oleson seems to be thwarting Laura at every turn. Mary has left to go to a college for the blind, and Laura takes on a part time job to help pay the expenses. The town is growing and with growth come new opportunities for socializing. Laura passes her examination to be certified as a teacher, and love begins to blossom.

I love this series for the way the pioneer spirit is portrayed and the strong family relationships.

THIS book, however, has a scene that is very uncomfortable for modern readers. The towns folks put on a minstrel show, including performers in blackface. I know this is historically accurate to the period, but I just cringed reading about it.

Cherry Jones does a fine job narrating the audiobook. I particularly like it when she sings the hymns or folk songs. ( )
  BookConcierge | Jun 3, 2019 |
I love this series!!! These are my favorites!!! ( )
  dbailey25 | Feb 24, 2019 |
Another wonderful book in this series! ( )
  cubsfan3410 | Sep 1, 2018 |
Not much excitement in this one. Laura works, the town grows, and Almanzo Wilder comes around a bit more. The story does give the reader a good taste of life back then, along with the racism, and that held some interest. But not enough for me to rate it higher. Maybe I'm just getting played out with the Ingalls family. Not sure. But I will begin book 8 soon with my daughter, and I do appreciate the bond we are sharing over Laura's story. And the book did end on a high note! AND, they didn't move!!! ( )
  Stahl-Ricco | Apr 29, 2018 |
The town of DeSmet survived the long, hard winter, and spring has arrived. Laura gets her first job, as a seamstress, in town, and starts earning money to send Mary to the college for the blind in Iowa. She's a dedicate gal, for sure. This money is enough to send Mary off in the fall. I have no idea what it cost back then, but I'm sure it was a bit out of Pa's reach. Very nice that they figured out a way to send her. Say what you will, the Ingalls family is from hearty stock and they find a way to get it all done.

And romance is in the air! Laura is a grown up now, all of fifteen years old, and Almanzo squires her home from church. She's a bit clueless to his affections, but she walks home with him anyway. And at the end of it all, Laura gets her teaching certificate and her first school. 3.5 stars because I'm a sucker for a G-rated romance. ( )
  GovMarley | Aug 6, 2017 |
This is a classic "Little Town on the Prairie" is about life in the 1940's in South Dakota. This series is about a family living in that time period, and each book is about something happening in their life that they have to overcome or learn from. This story is about the oldest daughter Laura is getting a job with her pa sewing for the new people in town, this is a chance to get their family business booming. Laura has to make a big decision to grow up.
I love all of Laura Ingalls Wilder books they are filled with great messages for young readers to enjoy. I like how the author describes the time period and makes the reader really feel like they are in the story. This helps readers learn how life was in the 1940's and what it meant to be a teen in that time period.
In the classroom, students can write a story about a character in the book and they can come up with what their characteristics are and what they do. This will help students learn about the time period, by having to do research on the 1940's. Another activity, is students can learn how to make butter the old fashion way as a science component.
  Courtjl | Apr 20, 2017 |
Of course I read this before, when I was a child. I remember being so relieved that the family could live in town, not starve, go to school, have some fun. I remember getting Mary ready for school, and wondering why Ma was so proud (pride is a sin, remember, and vanity a worse one) to dress up fancy a girl who can't even see, to go to a school where her classmates can't see.

I remember the organ, because my maternal grandmother had one that matched the text description better, imo, than the illustration by Williams does. Did Laura, the author, approve Williams illustrations, does anyone know?

I still experience the frustration of not knowing the music to which the verses in the text are sung. A hymn with a dancing swing and a throbbing beat" is available here: http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/What_Shall_the_Harvest_Be/ but I can't figure out how to play the midi file, and of course when I was a child I couldn't just go online to get it.

I didn't remember the minstrel show - which is a good thing, because now it sickens me.

I didn't remember/ realize that Laura "might earn fifteen dollars" sewing over the course of the summer, while Pa was fifteen dollars every week!

I love this bit:

"As she and Carrie hurried on she began again. 'I think it was silly, the way they dressed when Ma was a girl, don't you? Drat this wind!' she exclaimed as the [skirt] hoops began creeping up again."

Overall, these are wonderful books, but I don't know how hard I'd push them on an uninterested reader today. I hope there are better books about pioneer life. Maybe Sarah Plain and Tall and sequels; I should compare them more purposefully myself someday." ( )
  Cheryl_in_CC_NV | Jun 6, 2016 |
I had mixed feelings about this book. First, this autobiography follows the life of a family who grows crops for their living. This is a great topic to share with students because not many farmers are left in the world. Next, I liked this book because it gave insight into Wilder's life. Lastly, I liked this book because it ended with Laura being offered her teaching job. I did not like the language that was used in this book, for example there was one part that said "The only good indian, is a dead indian." This language could cause controversy within a classroom. It could also make some people feel uncomfortable. There was no main idea of this story because it followed the biography.
  JessicaSparacino | Apr 26, 2016 |
great series!!!!! ( )
  katieloucks | Mar 21, 2016 |
great series!!!!! ( )
  katieloucks | Feb 26, 2016 |
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