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Little House: The Rose Years #6
New Dawn on Rocky Ridge
The sixth book in the Rose Years series, the story of the spirited daughter of the author of the beloved Little House series.
It’s a time of new beginnings, and a big year for thirteen-year-old Rose Wilder and her family as they witness the turn of the century and, after years of hard work, experience their first apple harvest out on Rocky Ridge Farm. And as her feelings for Paul grow stronger, there are even signs of romance in the air for Rose.
It’s a time of new beginnings, and a big year for thirteen-year-old Rose Wilder and her family as they witness the turn of the century and, after years of hard work, experience their first apple harvest out on Rocky Ridge Farm. And as her feelings for Paul grow stronger, there are even signs of romance in the air for Rose.
378 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1997
7 people are currently reading
2050 people want to read
About the author
Roger Lea MacBride
66 books118 followersMacBride called himself "the adopted grandson" of writer and political theorist Rose Wilder Lane, the daughter of writer Laura Ingalls Wilder, and as such laid claim to the substantial Ingalls-Wilder's literary estate, including the "Little House on the Prairie" franchise. He is the author of record of three additional "Little House" books, and began the "Rocky Ridge Years" series, describing the Ozark childhood of Rose Wilder Lane. He also co-produced the 1970s television series Little House on the Prairie.
Controversy came after MacBride's death in 1995, when the local library in Mansfield, Missouri, contended that Wilder's original will gave her daughter ownership of the literary estate for her lifetime only, all rights to revert to the Laura Ingalls Wilder Library after her death. The ensuing court case was settled in an undisclosed manner, but MacBride's heirs retained the rights.
For more information, please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Ma...
Controversy came after MacBride's death in 1995, when the local library in Mansfield, Missouri, contended that Wilder's original will gave her daughter ownership of the literary estate for her lifetime only, all rights to revert to the Laura Ingalls Wilder Library after her death. The ensuing court case was settled in an undisclosed manner, but MacBride's heirs retained the rights.
For more information, please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Ma...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
April 7, 2025
As a lot of people know, I do not hand out high ratings easily. When I read a book, I will review it completely honestly to how I feel about it. I myself, am slightly surprised by my rating of this book.
I'm not as into the Rose series anymore as I used to be, and the Laura Ingalls series is always my favorite, but this book was good.
I was never bored with it, in fact, I struggled to put it down. but because of certain aspects of it, I didn't give it the full five stars.
1. The whole thing with Elsa seemed a little unrealistic. I mean, the fact that mama kept letting her sleepover and see this girl and stuff just didn't make sense to me based on previous things that mama had said about that family.
2. There was a lot of talk about boys and romance and that's all good and fine but since this isn't a claimed romance novel, but rather a little house book, I just felt like it was too much. It didn't feel exactly like the other little house books for that reason.
3. I didn't like how Rose consistently feels bitter about how she looks/is. I'm not saying she should be vain or anything, but the low-self-esteem for half the book was a little frustrating.
Those were really the only problems I had but my rating is so high because despite those aspects I was able to move on and still be interested. :)
Maybe I'll keep reading these books! lol
I'm not as into the Rose series anymore as I used to be, and the Laura Ingalls series is always my favorite, but this book was good.
I was never bored with it, in fact, I struggled to put it down. but because of certain aspects of it, I didn't give it the full five stars.
1. The whole thing with Elsa seemed a little unrealistic. I mean, the fact that mama kept letting her sleepover and see this girl and stuff just didn't make sense to me based on previous things that mama had said about that family.
2. There was a lot of talk about boys and romance and that's all good and fine but since this isn't a claimed romance novel, but rather a little house book, I just felt like it was too much. It didn't feel exactly like the other little house books for that reason.
3. I didn't like how Rose consistently feels bitter about how she looks/is. I'm not saying she should be vain or anything, but the low-self-esteem for half the book was a little frustrating.
Those were really the only problems I had but my rating is so high because despite those aspects I was able to move on and still be interested. :)
Maybe I'll keep reading these books! lol
November 24, 2015
Well guys, this book had me confused, annoyed, frustrated, sad, sort of sobbing, and super excited! Let's just go through one by one ;D
First confusion. I probably read too fast, but what was that whole thing with Miss Sarah. It kinda seemed important but flew over my head. It has stayed with me though, and I'm not sure why. I guess it's because I'm not totally through processing it!
Annoyed/frustrated: Seriously Rose, drop the attitude. Just like please. It sort of made the middle of the book rather disagreeable. And that whole thing with Elsa? Really? Like how did that seem a good idea?!
Sad/sort of sobbing: When I read about the death of a tiny character I was upset. Not crying, but upset. And then the death of y'all know who. I was *this* close to crying. Crying hard. To be fair, it's been a hard and emotional week so I was already to the point of tears, but that was hard! Wow! I loved how the story was told from Laura's point of view!
Excited: Rose and Paul!!!!!! FEELS!!!!! Side note: I love her letters! That's so cool!
Because this book ran the whole list of human emotions and touched me, I had to give it 5 stars! (Somebody should make a literary web series of this series!)
First confusion. I probably read too fast, but what was that whole thing with Miss Sarah. It kinda seemed important but flew over my head. It has stayed with me though, and I'm not sure why. I guess it's because I'm not totally through processing it!
Annoyed/frustrated: Seriously Rose, drop the attitude. Just like please. It sort of made the middle of the book rather disagreeable. And that whole thing with Elsa? Really? Like how did that seem a good idea?!
Sad/sort of sobbing: When I read about the death of a tiny character I was upset. Not crying, but upset. And then the death of y'all know who. I was *this* close to crying. Crying hard. To be fair, it's been a hard and emotional week so I was already to the point of tears, but that was hard! Wow! I loved how the story was told from Laura's point of view!
Excited: Rose and Paul!!!!!! FEELS!!!!! Side note: I love her letters! That's so cool!
Because this book ran the whole list of human emotions and touched me, I had to give it 5 stars! (Somebody should make a literary web series of this series!)
March 8, 2013
so i realize that the last 4 books of this series were not actually written by Roger Macbride since he died. i am going to go out on a limb and say that the whole episode with Elsa Beaumont and Mr. Andrews never happened. sorry i can't see Mama letting her daughter spend the night at the Beaumonts considering she doesn't like them. i also can't see Mrs. Beaumont letting her daughter leave like that at night. but what i really can't get over is that 2 young girls would galavant all over town at night with a man not from town, somebody would have notices and told their parents. sorry i just don't think this happened.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2008
I have mixed feelings about this book, the sixth volume of Little House: The Rose Years series. (It used to be called The Rocky Ridge years until they decided to make the Little House spin-offs span five generations.) In it our heroine, Rose Wilder, becomes a teenager. She's moody, rebellious, and generally not as lovable as the Rose of years gone by. The minor characters have also changed. You see less of the friends and neighbors from Rocky Ridge farm and more of the townfolk of Mansfield, Missouri. The town seems to have a greater percentage of jerks than the surrounding countryside. On the plus side, Rose steps aside for a couple of chapters as the story follows her mother Laura (confusingly called Mama) as she travels back to South Dakota to visit her parents and sisters. Technically, it's bad storytelling to change the focus like that. But since my interest in the series stems from my enjoyment of the original Little House books, the two chapter departure only seems good and right. Anyway, when one follows a series, you have to be a bit more tolerant of volumes that aren't quite as good as the rest, so I'd have to advise folks to check this one out.
July 2, 2012
This is one of the more exciting Rose books. She gets to see the arrival of a new century- the 1900s, has an exciting boarder- Miss Sarah(an old maid),has a bountiful first crop of apples, and gets Paul to notice her. There are many deaths in this book. Also Rose turns into a whinny complainer for a while. Rose starts to hang out with Elsa Beaumont because she thinks that she has fallen in love with an older traveling man. Rose and Elsa sneak out to meet him many times. Rose starts to admire Elsa even though she is spoiled, vain,and mean. She tricks Rose many times. Laura and Almanzo find out about "the scandal" when a letter from the traveling man comes. Luckily no one ever finds out about what happened, Rose is forgiven, and learns that she wants to be good of her own free will not because her parents make her. Sadly Rose starts to realize that she likes town now more than the farm and yet she is still unsatisfied with her life without Paul and a better education. I'm kind of dissapointed that Rose is not as sweet and kind in this book as she was when she was younger. I hope that she will grow out of it. It still was an interesting read to learn more about the Wilders.
June 20, 2017
I didn't enjoy this as much as others in the series, although it was still a mostly entertaining read. The first annoyance is that we're going through Rose's annoying teenager period. Quite intentionally, her attitude is annoying. While this is not inaccurate, it is harder to read a book when you suddenly kind of dislike the main character. The other annoyance was the intrusion of much more explicit libertarian politics in what should have been part of the book focused on sad events in the extended family.
However, those were both strongest at the end of the book. Throughout most of the book, it was the same delightful slice-of-life vignettes that made the earlier books enjoyable.
However, those were both strongest at the end of the book. Throughout most of the book, it was the same delightful slice-of-life vignettes that made the earlier books enjoyable.
April 21, 2018
This is a book rich in detail and events. The worst thing about is how repetitive the information is when talking about past events from previous books.
Well, that and how quick 1900 and 1901 go by, though it makes sense - daily life can be monotonous and if nothing spectacular happens, there isn't much to write about.
Still, in that monotony, the world changes. Individual lives change. And it turns out life isn't so monotonous.
I love reading that people thought the turn of the century meant that Judgement Day was near. Some things don't change, especially with "Earthquake Christians."
There are new styles, including backless, low-cut gowns and clean-shaven men. I fully agree with Rose that the clean-shaven style looks better.
We get a lot of information that shouldn't be spoken of/done in "polite company," including talking about the toilet, mentioning/showing undergarments, and a woman showing her ankles.
Then there are people who ruin their reputations and a toothbrush. The writing becomes more mature, and flows with the time it is of.
Rose turns 13, then 14, and is suddenly 15, and learns what it means to grow and to come into love. Paul moves away for work to help his family; this is where her love for writing blossomed. It's interesting to see how little people kept in touch, even within the same town, yet still maintain friendships.
Although Paul is a bit forward-thinking, Rose is much more progressive. It's almost easy to see that they wouldn't work out.
It's so awesome that the Wilders helped found a Methodist church.
It is very neat for me as an educator to see how schools changed from seasonal to annual (September to May).
We get a lot of info on the struggles of apple farmers. Much more so here than in previous books do we learn of the finances and debts of the Wilders.
It changes Rose, and maybe living in town does too. She becomes almost stingy, and purposely doesn't want to care about financial issues. Blanche doesn't look down on her for the lack of money, and I understand the desire to want more, but Rose completely disregards the struggles. She comes to the conclusion that her children would never look shabby and wouldn't want for anything, as if she would be able to control money fluctuations. She wants more than her family can afford, than she can afford.
Her spending money on sending letters is completely understandable; her getting snappy at her mother and neighbors when talking about an "old" and "drabby" style is not - especially because Laura and Almanzo didn't spoil her like Blanche's parents did her. Knowing more about their history now, I can truly see how Rose was part of her parents' future financial woes.
Elsa is...awful to her family, and her parents are horrible with discipline (and goodness, the end...we see the same thing at the end). It's no wonder why the family has scandal surrounding them. It's very scary to think of how Rose almost fell into her own trouble.
I HATE the "Buster" nickname. "Boob" makes me chuckle.
It's neat that there was a swap in point of view when Laura went back home to stay with her family for two months and say goodbye to her father. It's a very emotional chapter.
It was also a GREAT way to update the reader on Laura's former friends.
Well, that and how quick 1900 and 1901 go by, though it makes sense - daily life can be monotonous and if nothing spectacular happens, there isn't much to write about.
Still, in that monotony, the world changes. Individual lives change. And it turns out life isn't so monotonous.
I love reading that people thought the turn of the century meant that Judgement Day was near. Some things don't change, especially with "Earthquake Christians."
There are new styles, including backless, low-cut gowns and clean-shaven men. I fully agree with Rose that the clean-shaven style looks better.
We get a lot of information that shouldn't be spoken of/done in "polite company," including talking about the toilet, mentioning/showing undergarments, and a woman showing her ankles.
Then there are people who ruin their reputations and a toothbrush. The writing becomes more mature, and flows with the time it is of.
Rose turns 13, then 14, and is suddenly 15, and learns what it means to grow and to come into love. Paul moves away for work to help his family; this is where her love for writing blossomed. It's interesting to see how little people kept in touch, even within the same town, yet still maintain friendships.
Although Paul is a bit forward-thinking, Rose is much more progressive. It's almost easy to see that they wouldn't work out.
It's so awesome that the Wilders helped found a Methodist church.
It is very neat for me as an educator to see how schools changed from seasonal to annual (September to May).
We get a lot of info on the struggles of apple farmers. Much more so here than in previous books do we learn of the finances and debts of the Wilders.
It changes Rose, and maybe living in town does too. She becomes almost stingy, and purposely doesn't want to care about financial issues. Blanche doesn't look down on her for the lack of money, and I understand the desire to want more, but Rose completely disregards the struggles. She comes to the conclusion that her children would never look shabby and wouldn't want for anything, as if she would be able to control money fluctuations. She wants more than her family can afford, than she can afford.
Her spending money on sending letters is completely understandable; her getting snappy at her mother and neighbors when talking about an "old" and "drabby" style is not - especially because Laura and Almanzo didn't spoil her like Blanche's parents did her. Knowing more about their history now, I can truly see how Rose was part of her parents' future financial woes.
Elsa is...awful to her family, and her parents are horrible with discipline (and goodness, the end...we see the same thing at the end). It's no wonder why the family has scandal surrounding them. It's very scary to think of how Rose almost fell into her own trouble.
I HATE the "Buster" nickname. "Boob" makes me chuckle.
It's neat that there was a swap in point of view when Laura went back home to stay with her family for two months and say goodbye to her father. It's a very emotional chapter.
It was also a GREAT way to update the reader on Laura's former friends.
August 15, 2014
The book begins with the turn of the century, 1900, an exciting time because one only lives through a turn of the century once in his or her life, if at all. Miss Sarah, a teacher and an old maid (but only 26) comes to board with the Wilders. On a bet, a wild 30-year-old bachelor named Wade starts to court her (but mocking her behind her back), producing gossip throughout the town. When Wade recklessly drives his horse and buggy into a tree (with Miss Sarah aboard) and nearly dies, Miss Sarah announces their recent engagement. However, she has a change of heart, breaks off the engagement, and is courted by the doctor who has attended to her and Wade after the accident. When Miss Sarah and the doctor become engaged and when Wade recovers and is humbled by the situation, everyone feels that justice has been served. The Wilders have their first harvest of apples, a financial success, but not enough to pay off their mortgage. The variety of apples in their orchard ripen later in the season, so they end up receiving a lower price than the farmers with apples that are ready earlier as the market prices change according to supply. Sadly, Abe and Effie's newborn son dies. Unfortunately, Effie's superstitious folk remedies prevent her from seeking help from a qualified doctor. The whole town is in shock and devastated when President McKinley, although unpopular, is shot and later dies, and everyone is more fond of Teddy Roosevelt, his Vice President who takes over. As a teenager, Rose enters into conflict with her parents at times. She is befriended by rich, boy crazy, and disrespectful Elsa who sneaks out of the house at night to meet up with a traveling salesman. Rose becomes involved in the escapades, and the salesman actually prefers Rose to Elsa. Rose and Elsa's friendship subsequently ends, to the relief of Rose's parents. Traveling salesman have scandalous reputations. In those days, women did not go out in public unaccompanied, especially not at night. Also, kissing a beau before engagement could ruin a girl's reputation forever. When Laura's Pa is on his deathbed, Laura takes the train and spends 2 months with her family in the Dakotas. Rose and Paul becomes penpals when Paul works as a telegrapher in another state, leading to their plans for a future together. When Rose does not receive a scholarship for the high school her friend Blanche attends, Almanzo's sister Eliza Jane offers to board Rose so she can attend the new high school in Louisiana, setting the stage for the next book.
November 24, 2011
In "New Dawn on Rocky Ridge", the story of Rose Wilder advances yet another 2 years as we move from 1900-1902. This time around we witness the dawn of the 20th century, assassination of McKinley, the first major harvest at Rocky Ridge Farm, a major death, as well as romance on a couple of different scales. What's nice about this series has always been the ability to watch Rose slowly grow-up across the years & see that teenagers of this era are at times no different than those in ours. This is of course the 2nd book finished after the death of the author this series continues to not miss a single beat. MacBride's outline continues to contain just the right amount of information to keep this story going as if nothing had ever happened. Granted the book does take a 1 chapter turn away from Rocky Ridge Farm to deal with an event that simply marks the passage of time. Another wonderful book in this series that I've been able to enjoy with only 2 books remaining.
March 22, 2008
I have enjoyed these as much as I enjoyed the ones about Rose's mom, Laura Ingalls (Wilder). The only sadness was the bittersweet sadness of watching one of my favorite literary characters age and change as life became a little more complicated with the advent of the industrial revolution and mechanization. I have 2 more in the Rose years to finish, but I can already tell you now that I am curious about the years following "Bachelor Girl."
This book so far is my favorite in the Rose Years series if only because we get to say goodbye to Pa (Laura's dad). I'll never forget his last words, "Look Caroline...See how Laura's eyes are shining." Their special father-daughter relationship will live on forever, thanks to these stories.
This book so far is my favorite in the Rose Years series if only because we get to say goodbye to Pa (Laura's dad). I'll never forget his last words, "Look Caroline...See how Laura's eyes are shining." Their special father-daughter relationship will live on forever, thanks to these stories.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2008
Rose is a teenager in this book and not such a goody two shoes. She has resentment against her parents (against Laura and Almanzo? Oh, that's a crime, she's perfect, Rose is now less in my eyes) and does some SNEAKY stuff. I was disappointed that she left to go and live with her aunt in the end. She's supposed to always love the farm like Laura and Almanzo! She's not allowed to become an individual!!! Change of times, though...1900...lots of opportunities and things happening in the world. I've decided to take a break from the series until I can get the courage up to find out what my library fines are.
May 21, 2010
I think this is my favorite of the Rose books so far. Rose is growing up into a moody rebellious teenager (which is pretty amusing). She is also far more political and politically aware than we've seen previously from any of the Ingalls/Wilder series, which I suspect is a reflection of the grown-up Rose and her beliefs and attitudes. A few references to women's suffrage (Mama couldn't vote, but she and Papa were both supporters of... etc. etc.), a decent amount of politics (McKinley and his assassination, the gold standard, Populism, Socialism). And Pa Ingalls' death totally made me cry, I admit.
June 8, 2013
This is probably the best one of the Rose books. He did a really good job of keeping it in the Little House style, and the coming of age story that he told of Rose was good. The part I liked best, though, was when Mama (Laura) went home to Ma and Pa because Pa was dying, and all the memories that came from that. I'm such a Little House freak, I was bawling like a baby that Pa was dying. I had to stop and remind myself that all of them are dead. Ma, Pa, Laura, Rose, even Roger, who was Rose's adopted grandson who wrote the Rose books is dead. Sheesh. Anyway, it was a sweet book, probably a 4.4.
I read it aloud to the girls.
I read it aloud to the girls.
August 11, 2009
Now that I have gotten over the fact that some of the characters in the Rose series are fictional and, therefore, some of the events. I continued to enjoy learning of their lives. There is one point where the story takes you with Laura back to visit her family and Rose and Almanzo were left in Missouri. I found that bit a little confusing because Laura is still referred to as Mama, but Almanzo as Almanzo. I can see that the author wanted us to see first hand what Laura was doing but he must have struggled to do that while still using Rose's voice. All in all it was still good.
June 13, 2012
When I asked the kiddo if she'd finished this one, she sort of didn't answer and then said that she didn't like it. I was puzzled as she usually gobbles anything Laura or Rose related.
I think I know why, though, because I cried my eyes out for about a chapter and a half. Those chapters are weird, though, too. There's an awkward shift from Rose's point of view to Laura's.
This one really starts to set up the trajectory that Rose ends up on, as well as the eventual writing of the original books.
I think I know why, though, because I cried my eyes out for about a chapter and a half. Those chapters are weird, though, too. There's an awkward shift from Rose's point of view to Laura's.
This one really starts to set up the trajectory that Rose ends up on, as well as the eventual writing of the original books.
May 27, 2011
This book was so sad. I was like, I'm going to enjoy this book and it will probably not be sad at all. Maybe even a bit boring. Then the author surprised me!!!!! It made me cry or made tears fill my eyes at least 5+ times. It was really good, it was the complete opposite from what I thought it would be. I couldn't put it down!!!!! I would recommend this book to anyone of any age. It is the perfect book to read on a rainy day in front of a warm fire with a mug of hot chocolate by your side.
July 31, 2013
Not a kid's book. Also, not very objectively good (you can tell this was actually an outline and some working notes left behind by the author, who died before writing the book).
What it IS is crack for Little House nuts, of which I am one. There are some tremendously moving sections, especially if you read the original books as a kid and you are now a wife and mother.
What it IS is crack for Little House nuts, of which I am one. There are some tremendously moving sections, especially if you read the original books as a kid and you are now a wife and mother.
Read
December 14, 2016Fascinating true story about one girl's life in the turn of the century. I always find it interesting reading about how different attitudes were then, and the reactions to new inventions like telephones, cars and *horror* indoor toilets!
I really relate to Rose, and found although the book was very simply written, it was beautifully done. I cried in several places, it was that good.
I really relate to Rose, and found although the book was very simply written, it was beautifully done. I cried in several places, it was that good.
January 22, 2008
I am a huge fan of the Laura Ingalls stories!!! The tried and true Laura stories are by far my favorites, but when I came across stories of her great-grandmother all the way down to her daughter, I was thrilled. Though I have to admit, the "Rose Years" are my least favorite.
abandoned
April 23, 2010I'm what you could call a happy ending fanatic, and I really didn't see that coming in this book so I ended up having to drop it. I don't see me coming back to try again, but I do like the way this author writes.
February 8, 2011
Rose is becoming a teenager...and has the attitude to go with it! Living in town, she makes friends with a flighty girl who encourages her to sneak around. Not good. It's fun to read about the turn of the century and her developing relationship with Paul Cooley, though.
July 31, 2013
We see Rose starting to grow up in this one. Her feelings for Paul enhanced; Lots of little surprises in store in this read, but find it hard to stop. Highly Recommended by all Little House book readers.
July 24, 2015
We really enjoyed this book as a read-aloud. The story rang true but pulled on the moist vibrant strings of life, echoing beautifully through time. I only wish I had realized these MacBride books were available earlier...
January 29, 2017
This book was amazing. Especially after how the Rose series started I'm surprised, but this added soul, not to mention a great two chapters from Laura's view again. And there is some about President McKinley that somehow makes me hold hope for getting through. Wow.
February 23, 2008
Changes for Rose, and they're right along the lines that most girls at this age want to be reading about. Boys, of course. One in particular--the one you've been hoping for all along in the series.
July 29, 2008
Book 6
October 13, 2008
Kirsten: Only I read it. Its pretty good. You would like it if you like books taking place in the 1880's.
Katie: I'm probably too dumb to read it anyway.
Katie: I'm probably too dumb to read it anyway.
February 10, 2010
Very good.
August 14, 2017
Wonderful Book!
November 28, 2018
Good book. Had a very sad part dealing with the death of a very close family member.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews