Little House on the Prairie (Little House, #2)

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Little House on the Prairie (Little House #2)

by Laura Ingalls Wilder, Garth Williams (Illustrator)

4.16 of 5 stars 4.16 · rating details · 100,517 ratings · 1,780 reviews

A family travels from the big woods of Wisconsin to a new home on the prairie, where they build a house, meet neighboring Indians, build a well, and fight a fire. Includes a detailed account of how the novel was written and published.

Paperback, 335 pages

Published January 7th 1994 by HarperCollins (first published 1935)

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Jul 30, 2008 E rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: childrensfiction

Okay, it's a great American classic, I realize that. We read it in third grade and obviously the pioneer-go-forth-and-push-westward philosophy is a central feature in the proud American mindset and heritage. But it's for that very reason that the value of the book needs to be questioned.

While much of the story focuses on a family's self-reliance on the Kansas prairie, the book preceding it - Little House in the Big Woods - does the same with the exception that the Ingalls family was integrated i...more Okay, it's a great American classic, I realize that. We read it in third grade and obviously the pioneer-go-forth-and-push-westward philosophy is a central feature in the proud American mindset and heritage. But it's for that very reason that the value of the book needs to be questioned.

While much of the story focuses on a family's self-reliance on the Kansas prairie, the book preceding it - Little House in the Big Woods - does the same with the exception that the Ingalls family was integrated into a functioning Wisconsin community of relatives and neighbors. That book, however, is NOT the famous one after which a television series was made.

WHY the Ingalls family felt the need to abandon their community and settle in what was in fact disputed Indian Territory other than out of a lust for adventure is insufficiently explained. Unlike immigrants of the time, American pioneers like the Ingalls were not driven to the new land by persecution or famine at home. They drove themselves there and expected the local Indians to like it or stay out of the way. The Indians are portrayed as mysterious savages who are ultimately given what actually belonged to the hard-working white family. (I'm not at all surprised it was written in the 1930's.)

My third grade class was outraged at the injustice of the U.S. government telling the Ingallses' to abandon their self-made cabin for the Indians, yet no one was outraged in the beginning when they arrived and no one was asked to question this. Stories like the Ingallses's are history that cannot be changed or forgotten, but like all history should be constantly questioned.

I would read this to children and elementary/middle school classes, but not without a corresponding story from the perspective of the Plains Indians, and not without asking children important follow-up questions to spark dialogue. Did the Ingallses have to leave Wisconsin? Would you have? Why do you think they decided to? Were the Ingallses malicious, naive, or justified in their pursuit? Can the rural dislike of government involvement be traced back to stories like theirs? Why was this story so popular in the 1930's, 40's, and 50's? Why is it still popular today?

(less)

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Jun 22, 2008 Laurel Wicke rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-to-logan

I am a fan of the Laura Ingall's Wilder books, and I am enjoying them even more as an adult, sharing them with my daughter. This one moved a bit more slowly than Little House in the Big Woods, but I was still fascinated. I can hardly imagine a life so primitive. Some say Pa was crazy for moving his family away from the Big Woods where they had a solid footing, but the settler's spirit is responsible for the growth and development of our country and is still the heart of the American way. Who doe...more

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Nov 04, 2007 Mike Angelillo rated it 2 of 5 stars

I bought the CD of this story for my 4 year old daughter and have spent many days listening to it in the car with her.

This book should clearly be renamed "Pa's follies" as the entire story is about him bumbling from one misadventure to the next....

1. Pa leads the family across a frozen lake Peppin. The very next morning the family hears the ice on the lake start to crack and break up. By the luck of one day the Ingalls family is spared a frozen death.

2. Pa nearly drowns the entire family crossin...more

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Aug 07, 2007 Beth rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: childhood-reading

I can vividly remember the first time I read this book. I was sleeping over at my best friend Mary's house when I was about seven or eight years old. She lived next door to me. Her family always slept with their attic fan on, and with a radio in each bedroom tuned in to a country station. This was strange to me, as nights at my house were totally quiet. Plus, I was a little freaked out at spending the night away from home, because I hadn't really done that very much at that point in my life. So,...more

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Jul 31, 2012 Michele rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: childrens-historical

I read this book when I was six years old, and then over and over again until I was about ten. I loved it. It inspired my imagination like nothing else until Harry Potter more than thirty years later. For years, I wanted to BE Laura Ingalls Wilder. I loved when the grass grew long and I could pretend it was the prairie. When I was stuck in the outfield during elementary school softball I was imagining I was playing with Mary and Carrie. I read all the books and wrote my own biography of Laura wh...more I read this book when I was six years old, and then over and over again until I was about ten. I loved it. It inspired my imagination like nothing else until Harry Potter more than thirty years later. For years, I wanted to BE Laura Ingalls Wilder. I loved when the grass grew long and I could pretend it was the prairie. When I was stuck in the outfield during elementary school softball I was imagining I was playing with Mary and Carrie. I read all the books and wrote my own biography of Laura when I was nine. I was thrilled to discover an actual biography (Laura: The Life of Laura Ingalls Wilder)!

What did I love about the Little House books? I loved Laura. I loved that she felt real emotion. She was bored, frustrated, and jealous. I loved the adventure: the idea of moving slowly across the wilderness with all of my family's belongings in one small wagon was deeply appealing. I was fascinated by the wolves, Indians, and the details of the cabin building. I loved the idea of living in the past. It was years before I thought about how difficult life would be without the conveniences of modern plumbing. I must also mention that I was entranced by idea of wearing a calico-print dress and making my own dolls as well!

As I grew older, I grew to love more historical fiction. I loved exploring the past. I fell in love with Caddie Woodlawn, A Little Princess, The Witch of Blackbird Pond, and, later, A Lantern in Her Hand. I was able to experience the hardships of girls all over the world in different time periods. Little House on the Prairie introduced me to that world.

I have read a variety of criticisms of The Little House Collection. People are bothered by the treatment of Native Americans or the embedded sexism of the family. My response to this complaint is, yes, Ma was a racist, and girls were treated worse than they are today. But Laura doesn't like it! And she wins, in the end. The Ingalls family could not stay in Indian Territory and Laura is the one who becomes an internationally known author, while the rest of the ladylike girls disappear into obscurity.

I am now a school librarian, and still recommend these books to my students. The writing is clear and straight forward without being too short or short on detail. There is no doubt that the book must be read in context, but in today's school environment, historical fiction is often the way children begin to learn about history.(less)

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Sep 04, 2008 Margaret rated it 4 of 5 stars

Laura’s family decides to go west because the area in which they live in Minnesota in the big woods is getting too populated and scaring the game away. So they pack up all of their belongings and leave their little house and go toward the prairie land. They find a piece of land in the prairie and start over. They encounter trials and joys along the way. They make some neighbor friends who live several miles away. They are in Indian Territory and deal with nice Indians and the not-so-nice Indians...more

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May 19, 2007 ruzmarì rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: juvenilia

I scrolled quickly down the page and noticed that nobody has much to say about this novel. What _is_ there to say about Laura Ingalls Wilder's fiction/memoir accounts of growing up in the period of American expansion and homesteading? A lot - at least 7 volumes' worth, in Ingalls Wilder's own series. It's easy to categorize Ingalls Wilder's series as "children's" literature, but her books are also documents of an indomitable feminine spirit, a woman's relation of the American experience in a tim...more

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Mar 08, 2010 Ellie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: will-read-later

it was pretty good!

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Jan 07, 2012 Duchess Nicole rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: e-pcs, h-for-the-girls, dead-tree-books, read-in-2012, y-complete-series

I read this to my three girls, ages six, seven, and nine. My husband also listened each night, as I always read two chapters before bedtime. And in fact, he got very upset with me one night when I was unable to read!

I remember reading these as a girl and loving them. But I didn't expect to enjoy them so much as an adult. The entire family looked forward to reading time each night. Laura's story is told with the experience of an adult, but at the same time she manages to tell it from the perspec...more

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Oct 10, 2008 Keli rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: juvenile, lis-565, historical, tween

Synopsis

Part autobiography, part fiction, this book tells the story of a pioneer family settling in Indian Territory in the plains of the American Southwest.

Review

This American classic can problematic to modern readers. Ma's meek demeanor and the frequent reminder that "children should be seen and not heard" are not likely to resonate with youth of the 21st century and are likely more fiction than autobiography. Additionally, while the book had a clear beginning and end, the middle was more a se...more

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Feb 04, 2008 Samantha rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: 8 to 14 year olds

Shelves: youth

The language of the book is very simple, seeing the prairie through the eyes of a young girl. The chapters are short and flow quickly, making this an excellent book for young readers just starting chapter books. The time period in which the book was written can be felt from the harsh, characterized, portrayal of American Indians, including the Osage tribe, rekindling the touchy phrase of General Sheridan’s remark declaring the only good Indian is a dead Indian.

Though I enjoyed the illustrations...more

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May 22, 2008 Brandi rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-a-while-ago

I am a little partial here but even if I wasn't I would still have thoroughly enjoyed this book!!!

Laura Ingalls Wilder and her husband Almanzo and their 8 year old daughter Rose moved to Mansfield Missouri in 1894. Laura lived there until her death in 1957 and it’s where she wrote most of her manuscripts. My mom was born and raised in Mansfield, MO and I have many relatives living there still. I grew up there myself and have many fond memories of touring her home and property.

My mother’s father,...more

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Jun 15, 2012 Marilyn rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: children-s-lit

We read Little House in the Big Woods and weren't begging for more. Everyone LOVES these books, so I bought us bonnets and we're going to try it again--only this time we're going to get into costume ;) So far I'm liking it a lot. I'm so happy their dog finds them after that stream-crossing incident.

I'm amazed by the show-up-at-a-piece-of-land-with-an-axe-and-saw-and-build-everything-you-need-from-what-you-find-there life. Wow.

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Feb 19, 2010 Patel Aditi added it

i finished this book on 14th feb, i read 332 pages.
(4) i would like to change life or lives of a character, to make their lives beautiful. i whould like to change whole family's life. because the family moved from their country.they came to stayed in indian country. but they had to left from prairie because of goverment law. if they did not move from their , the soldier will come and shut them. i would change goverment rules and law and i request to the goverment for this family. because when...more

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Mar 29, 2013 Kathy Mcanulla rated it 4 of 5 stars

Having retired a while ago I have decided to re-read a selection of books that have impressed me, for one reason or another, over the years. It is about 56 years since I last read this book and it is interesting to read from the perspective of age . Of course it is a simple retelling, from a child's point of view, but the actual events recounted are quite amazing. I was always so jealous of Laura, living close to nature (I grew up a few miles from London)and the descriptions of the prairie and t...more

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Mar 06, 2013 Kim rated it 3 of 5 stars

In the first of her "Little House" series Laura Ingalls Wilder describes in charming detail her early childhood in a log cabin in 1870s Wisconsin. Her parents work very hard to provide for their three little girls, and all sorts of pioneer activities are described - churning butter, hunting and trapping, making maple syrup, smoking meat, braiding straw hats, threshing grain, etc. Their life is fairly isolated in the woods, highlighted by visits from relatives, a community dance at her grandparen...more In the first of her "Little House" series Laura Ingalls Wilder describes in charming detail her early childhood in a log cabin in 1870s Wisconsin. Her parents work very hard to provide for their three little girls, and all sorts of pioneer activities are described - churning butter, hunting and trapping, making maple syrup, smoking meat, braiding straw hats, threshing grain, etc. Their life is fairly isolated in the woods, highlighted by visits from relatives, a community dance at her grandparents' house, and Laura's momentous first trip into town. Through all their adventures Laura is wide-eyed and observant, if a little timid. The girls are extremely responsible and well-behaved, and their parents are fairly strict, though Pa more often than not gently lectures rather than reaching for the strap.

Along with daily chores, there are many thrilling and amusing events recounted in this book... a chance encounter with a cow who turns out to be a bear and another encounter with a bear who turns out not to be a bear, a misbehaving cousin who is stung by wasps, a lively Christmas Eve, and many winter nights by the fire with Pa playing his fiddle.

All in all this is a marvellous historical record, written down faithfully by someone who was actually there. It is also a simply written, simply told tale, and wouldn't be too hard for a new reader to tackle. Such detail about everyday life makes it easy for even a small child to imagine what life was like for Laura and her sisters. The main messages revolve around how hard everyone works, pitching in and working together, and how their activities are linked to nature around them - the seasons, the planting cycle, and animal behaviour.

It's also a portrait of a rather gentle, loving family. There isn't a lot of misbehaving here, and it's clear that children were not allowed to get away with much back then. The only bit of strife is a slight current of jealousy which Laura harbours for her older sister Mary - she of the golden curls - but Pa always has a kind word for his middle child and hard feelings are quickly forgotten. This is a family that is kind, generous and sensitive to the feelings of all its members.

There is no mention made of real hardship, as the Ingalls seem to be doing quite well in the wilderness. As well, there is no mention made of conflict between settlers and natives, and the Civil War is only mentioned in passing. For a broader view of the time, read "Caddie Woodlawn", which takes a look at bigger issues such as violence, racism, war and the distant assassination of President Lincoln. This would be a terrific follow-up book for slightly older readers, as Caddie is far more of an independent thinker than little Laura, and much more prone to getting into trouble.(less)

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Jan 22, 2013 Anna rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: classics, chapter-books, based-on-a-true-story, memoir

The adventures of Laura and her family continue as they move from the Big Woods to the prairie in this installment. As with the previous book there are wonderful descriptions of the prairie and the tasks of Laura's daily life. My boys were enthralled by the stories of how things we take for granted were done or made in Laura's time. There is a lot more danger and darker themes in this book than in Little House in the Big Woods. If you are reading this with your children there are 3 things to be...more The adventures of Laura and her family continue as they move from the Big Woods to the prairie in this installment. As with the previous book there are wonderful descriptions of the prairie and the tasks of Laura's daily life. My boys were enthralled by the stories of how things we take for granted were done or made in Laura's time. There is a lot more danger and darker themes in this book than in Little House in the Big Woods. If you are reading this with your children there are 3 things to be aware of and prepared to talk about.

The first is that during a river crossing there is a flash flood and the family almost dies. That section is intense, although as my 9 year old pointed out you know they live because there is a lot of book left. What he wasn't expecting was that Jack the dog is swept away and presumed dead. This was very upsetting to my kids and we had to stay up extra late reading the next chapter where Jack finds his way back before they could go to sleep.

Later in the story the family all almost die of malaria. It is an intense section. While I did reassure the boys that they were safe from malaria, it was also an opportunity our family used to talk about the fact some people still get malaria. We as a family purchased bed nets through the charity Nothing But Nets.

The biggest issue in the book is the depiction of and racism against Native Americans. Several characters including Ma say derogatory things including saying, "the only good Indian is a dead Indian." Pa is notable in his disagreement with that point of view. That makes for a good springboard to talk about who is right and why the characters feel the way that they feel. The tensions between the settlers and the Native Americans comes to a boiling point near the end of the story when the Indians are trying to decide whether not not the kill the white settlers. It is again an intense couple of chapters, but in the end a Native American saves the lives of the settlers. This provides another chance to talk about racism and prejudice.

In pointing out these passages I'm not trying to dissuade anyone from reading the book with their kids, just hoping to make sure you're not caught off guard by the fact that this isn't the same safe, sunshiny world of Little House on the Prairie the TV show. (less)

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Nov 25, 2012 Bella D rated it 4 of 5 stars

In Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder, the Ingalls family want to move but there are many obstacles they have to face so they conquer the obstacles and make their way to a prairie. The characters in the book are influenced/challenged by the setting in several ways. First, the Ingalls family are influenced by the setting because they had to figure ways to get stuff they need. I think that had made them a lot more independent than they used to be. For example, “‘Before dawn, Pa we...more

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Nov 18, 2012 Kristi added it

Grade Level: 3-5
Lexile Level: 760 L
Genre: Historical Fiction
Setting An Eastern Prairie and Western Woods
Point of View: First Person
Main Characters: Laura, Ma, Pa, Mary and Carrie

In the story of Little House on the Prairie, Laura describes the little house in the woods that her and her family live in. She loves her home and her family, but the area that they are living in is becoming too crowded for comfort. Pa wants to move to the west in an Indian country. The family agrees to partake in this...more

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Nov 16, 2012 Cedar Macinnis rated it 4 of 5 stars

In Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder, The family wants to move west, but they run into a bunch of obstacles, so they overcome the obstacles and move to the prairie. The character’s in the book are influenced/ challenged by the setting in many ways. First, all the members of the Ingalls family become more brave and it becomes easier for them the fears. For example, on page 99 Ma says that Laura and Mary are brave little girls. This happens when the chimney caught on fire and Lau...more

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Nov 12, 2012 Delicious Strawberry rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: laura-ingalls-wilder, autobiography

This book is a classic of American literature, BUT to appreciate it as so, one needs to understand the historical context this book was written in. Yes, the comments in there about Native Americans are horrible and racist when you look at them in today's context, but Laura was just a innocent little girl who was warned against the big, bad Indians by her parents. She couldn't change what her parents said or did. I definitely would NOT recommend reading this book to little ones. It's a better boo...more

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Nov 06, 2012 Lucia rated it 5 of 5 stars

Finally, after spending part of my childhood watching Laura Ingalls Wilder's exciting experiences on TV I made up my mind to read this book out of the long series of the Little House books.

Little House in the Prairie is a one year journal about Laura' s family and its adventures and daily life on the vast prairie.

Charles and Caroline, respectively Pa and Ma, load their covered wagon with a few basic things and their three daughters, Mary, Laura and baby Carrie, to move from the crowded Big Wood...more

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Oct 19, 2012 Lillerina rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-on-kindle, young-adult-children, read-in-2012

This book is deeply problematic. Ma's open fear and hatred of Indians is shocking to read about now, and the notion that there would be indians who wouldn't know how to cure their skunk skins is pretty offensive as well as inaccurate. It's uncomfortable reading Laura's account of her father's deeds, as Laura obviously hero-worshipped her father while it's easy to see how irresponsible Charles Ingalls often was. He moved his family into territory that he knew he wasn't allowed to move into yet, j...more

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Oct 13, 2012 Emma rated it 5 of 5 stars

This has been an all time favorite book of mine since I was a child. My mom gave me this book when I was in second grade and told me that my grandma introduced her to this book when she was a child, and that she had loved it and kept it ever since. Ma, Pa, Laura, Mary, and baby Carrie are all very personable and in-depth characters who I began to fall in love with as I read through the story. The family, under Pa's direction, must leave their small house in the big woods and cross the Mississipp...more

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Aug 31, 2012 Tracy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: children, little-house

I am re-reading the entire series now, which I read repeatedly when I was a child in the 1970s. I know there is a lot of controversy around this particular book now: the descriptions of the Indians, for one, as well as the fact that Laura was so young when her family lived in the little house on the prairie that she is not telling this story from her own memories. Regardless, it is a classic adventure story. The family sets off on a long journey for parts unknown. They face many life-threatening...more

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Aug 12, 2012 Charles rated it 3 of 5 stars

Just finished reading this one aloud to my 5 year old daughter. She loved it, of course, and for good reason: two little girls, a dog, animals, happy stories, wild Indians, and just enough dramas to keep you on the edge of your seat without ever crossing that line into death or anything that dark. We plan on reading the whole series together as a family over the upcoming winter.

As an adult, and someone who reads a lot of Western American history and such, the book was a mixed bag. Lots of good l...more Just finished reading this one aloud to my 5 year old daughter. She loved it, of course, and for good reason: two little girls, a dog, animals, happy stories, wild Indians, and just enough dramas to keep you on the edge of your seat without ever crossing that line into death or anything that dark. We plan on reading the whole series together as a family over the upcoming winter.

As an adult, and someone who reads a lot of Western American history and such, the book was a mixed bag. Lots of good landscape description, which I love, including the changes of the seasons. Daily life is covered in detail--the drudgery of simple tasks that constantly needed to be done, and which we get to take for granted, such as washing the laundry and keeping food on the table.

Three things that bugged me: First, historically, the timeline was inaccurate. This tale is supposed to unfold in Indian Territory in what is now Kansas just after the Civil War, but Kansas was settled well before the Civil War ("Bleeding Kansas" as one of the major catalysts that started the Civil War). This mistake, if you can call it that, makes me wonder about the veracity of the rest of the story, since there's no way it could have happened the way it's told in this book.

Second, while the Ingalls family is fairly non-judgmental towards the Indians in the book (the book is actually quite nuanced and balanced towards Indians considering the time it was written), I found I had to skip certain sentences while reading to my daughter lest she start to see Indians as subhuman, something I obviously want to avoid since I live in a town next to reservation, and my wife works with Native Americans. This isn't really a flaw in the book, but something that parents might want to be aware of if they read this book to younger children. BY NO MEANS am I suggesting not to read the book, only that some on the spot editing (call it censorship if you must) might be necessary.

Finally, there was the continued theme of "children should be seen and not heard". As with the portrayal of the Indians, I realize this was nothing more than an accurate reflection of the times, but, again, I found myself omitting sentences here and there when the kids were treated like little Puritans. Easy to remedy--just skip those sentences, but something to be aware of if you're trying to empower your kids to speak out and be seen and heard and listened to. Once again, I am not saying you should avoid the book, only that you expect this antiquated attitude towards kids and adjust as you feel necessary, at least for smaller kids.

Overall a good read, and I'm excited to embark on the whole series.(less)

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Jul 21, 2012 Carsten Thomsen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Little House on the Prairie was a step up from Little House in the Big Woods - more is happening here, there’s more tension, funny and exiting and dangerous episodes.

Again I’m fascinated with the detailed description of the pioneer life on the prairie - starting almost from scratch making a house, furniture, fishing, hunting, sowing etc. I’m impressed with Charles’ and Caroline’s ingenuity and industriousness - I love Charles unwavering optimism and zeal in everything he does. The family’s joy...more

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Jul 17, 2012 Katrina Miller rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really haven't read this book since I was eight. My views of different subjects have changed drastically since then. I am now well aware about what was happening in America during this time. When I was eight, I think what attracted me to this book was that Laura was my age. I wanted to see what her life was like during this time.

Since I haven't read this book in roughly ten years, I'm going to re-read it and review it again. One review is from what I remember as a child, and next week I'll go...more I really haven't read this book since I was eight. My views of different subjects have changed drastically since then. I am now well aware about what was happening in America during this time. When I was eight, I think what attracted me to this book was that Laura was my age. I wanted to see what her life was like during this time.

Since I haven't read this book in roughly ten years, I'm going to re-read it and review it again. One review is from what I remember as a child, and next week I'll go back and read the book, this time from a different view.

My review as an 8-yr-old (I want to say 1992):

I remember being excited that Charles wanted to move his family to the prairie. I don't remember why. I think it had something to do with Wisconsin being too crowded. I vaguely remember a section about Laura and Mary playing outside and being surprised when a new neighbor settled down miles from them.

I loved the part about their journey and Jack the bulldog walking faithfully beside the wagon. Then there was the frozen creek and the part where they made it across just before the ice broke. That scared me as a child because I kept thinking, "They could have died!"

As the story unfolds, we learn that Pa settles down and builds a cabin in Indian Territory, the family becomes sick and are nursed back to health by an African American doctor, Pa takes Mary and Laura to Indian creek where the girls bring back clay beads for Carrie. Then, the ending made me said. The family is forced off their land. Charles and Caroline have a garden that they will have to leave behind for the rabbits. Mary and Laura are cranky because they don't want to leave.

There was one part that stuck out in my mind. As the family is leaving they comes across an abandoned wagon with two people living inside. I don't remember why the couple is stranded. The book might have said something about the Indians stealing their horses? I don't remember. What I could think about was, "I hope they make it somewhere safe?" It worried me a lot as a child.

OK, that is all I can remember. I seem to recall being upset when I asked the librarian why the Laura Ingalls books were considered fiction when she wrote about her childhood, and she replied with, "Because Laura made up a lot of stuff. She was old when she wrote the books and couldn't remember much." Argh!

Well, that's my 8-yr-old review. I'm going to start re-reading this now. I'll update my review in a few days.

(less)

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Jul 04, 2012 Book Concierge rated it 5 of 5 stars

What I love about these books is that Wilder doesn’t completely sugarcoat life in the mid-to-late 1800s. There is plenty of hard work, danger and disappointment. The family endures many hardships including flood, fire, wild animals, disease and weather. But this is a strong family unit. Ma and Pa are steadfast, competent, hard-working, and protect their children as best they can. They are also thoughtful in answering the young Laura’s questions as she begins to understand that there are differen...more

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Apr 23, 2012 Julie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Year: 1935
Reading Level: Intermediate
Genre: Western,
Series: Little House

Plot Summary: Laura Ingalls and her family move from their house in the big woods to find a new life on the plains. After the long trip to the West, her family builds a new house and tries to establish themselves in the land. Over the course of the book, the Ingalls family builds a new home, acquires a cow, fights a prairie fire and interacts with the local Indian tribes.

Red Flags: This book will make you feel incredibly laz...more

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About Laura Ingalls Wilder

Ingalls wrote a series of historical fiction books for children based on her childhood growing up in a pioneer family. She also wrote a regular newspaper column and kept a diary as an adult moving from South Dakota to Missouri, the latter of which has been published as a book.

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Books by Laura Ingalls Wilder

The Little House Collection (Little House, #1-9)

Little House in the Big Woods (Little House, #1)

On the Banks of Plum Creek (Little House, #4)

Little Town on the Prairie (Little House, #7)

By the Shores of Silver Lake (Little House, #5)

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Trivia About Little House on t...

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Quotes from Little House on the Pr...

“There's no great loss without some small gain.” — 239 people liked it

“Ma sighed gently and said, "A whole year gone, Charles." But Pa answered, cheerfully: "What's a year amount to? We have all the time there is.” — 1 person liked it

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title link	preview: Little House on the Prairie
avg rating	preview: Little House on the Prairie Goodreads rating: 4.16 (100517 ratings)
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BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/77767.Little_House_on_the_Prairie?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1344695948l/77767.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/77767.Little_House_on_the_Prairie?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder[/url]

Little House on the Prairie (Little House #2)

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