Farmer Boy Days

Little House Chapter Books: Laura #6

by Laura Ingalls Wilder, Renée Graef

In Farmer Boy Days, the first Little House chapter book based on Farmer Boy, Almanzo Wilder helps Father take care of the farm animals, begins to train his two new calves, and knows for certain that he wants to be a farmer forever.

Genres: Childrens, Historical Fiction, Historical, Classics, Fiction, Young Adult, Juvenile

Library Binding

First published January 17, 1998

About the author

Laura Ingalls Wilder was an American author, journalist, and educator whose "Little House" series transformed the arduous reality of the American frontier into a foundational pillar of children's literature. Born in the "Big Woods" of Wisconsin to Charles and Caroline Ingalls, Laura’s childhood was a nomadic journey through the heart of a shifting nation. Her family moved across Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Iowa, and the Dakota Territory—often staying just ahead of legal evictions or chasing the promise of fertile soil. These years were marked by extreme hardship, including the "Hard Winter" of 1880–81 in De Smet, South Dakota, where the family survived near-starvation. Despite the struggle, these experiences provided the raw material for her eight-volume record of pioneer life, a series that has since been translated into over forty languages.
Before becoming a world-renowned novelist in her sixties, Wilder lived several distinct lives. At fifteen, she became a teacher in one-room prairie schools, a job she took primarily to support her family financially. In 1885, she married Almanzo Wilder, beginning a partnership that endured fire, paralysis from diphtheria, and the heartbreaking loss of an infant son. These trials eventually led them to Mansfield, Missouri, where they established Rocky Ridge Farm. It was here that Laura developed her voice as a professional writer, serving as a columnist and editor for the Missouri Ruralist for over a decade.
The Great Depression and the 1929 stock market crash wiped out the Wilders’ savings, providing the ultimate catalyst for Laura to pen her memoirs. Her daughter, Rose Wilder Lane—a successful author in her own right—encouraged her mother to adapt her autobiography, Pioneer Girl, into a format more suitable for children. This resulted in a complex and often rocky literary collaboration; while Lane provided the professional "style," Wilder provided the "substance" and narrative heart. The first book, Little House in the Big Woods, was published in 1932 when Laura was sixty-five.
Wilder’s legacy is a blend of immense literary success and modern historical scrutiny. While her books remain staples in classrooms for their vivid descriptions of 19th-century domestic life, her portrayals of Native Americans and African Americans have led to recent reevaluations. In 2018, the American Library Association renamed the "Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal" to the "Children's Literature Legacy Award" to reflect these evolving cultural sensitivities. Nonetheless, Wilder remains a monumental figure in American letters, a woman who successfully "saved the American soul" by documenting the grit, faith, and unyielding persistence of the pioneer spirit.

Reviews

[Emilie Rudd · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet read. Maybe next time B will be a little older to better appreciate the story, but for now we admire the food imagery and hard work of a young boy.

[A.K. Frailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though I have read this story many times to my kids as my family grew up over the years, I had a hankering to revisit the "Little House" world and remember what charmed me in the past. To my joy, the charm remained strong, and the perspective of a young boy growing up on a farm in New York in the late 1800s still speaks to my weary soul in the modern world. Beautifully honest and gentle to the spirit, the story relives a past that we may never know again, but I can imitate the love that made his family so good and strong.

[Christina Brandsma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this one and somehow think we never read this before despite reading lots of Laura Ingalls Wilder books growing up. Fun to read a new to me book. Like all of her books, they're good bedtime books and relaxing.

A line that got me:
A farmer depends on himself, and the land, and the weather. If you're a farmer, you raise what you eat, you raise what you wear, and you keep warm with wood out of your own timber. You work hard, but you work as you please and no man can tell you to go or come. You'll be free and independent, son, on a farm.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book along time ago when I was a child. Now decades later as an adult, I thought it would be fun to read this book again. "FarmerBoy" is about Almanzo Wilder. Laura Ingalls Wilder's husband. it is about Almanzo when he was a boy aging from almost nine to ten years old. She describes what farming life was like when Almanzo helped his family. Siblings, Royal,Eliza jane, and Alice. He worked hard on that farm. although he went to school some he was home more with all the chores involved in running a farm. In this book Laura Ingalls Wilder describes many details involved. the planting seeds for gardens, haying, milking cows. harvesting. Training colts etc. He worked a lot along with the rest of his family. An interesting read. especially getting the details of the hard work involved in running a farm.

[Kristie Storie Winston · Rating 5 out of 5]

My children and I just finished reading this book out loud this summer. We enjoyed it so much that we took a field trip to Almanzo's childhood home. My kids really got a kick out of the way things used to be in the mid 1850s. Children were made to do numerous chores inside and out; weren't allowed to speak at the dinner table and were spanked or belted for even the tiniest misbehavior. It is so educational to read and learn about simpler times in Northern NY. Such a great book and such a fun experience to read the book and then visit the actual homestead in Malone, NY.

[Maritza · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was so interesting to know Almanzo's family and how they lived every day. It was like being inside their house. What I remember the most and I bring it to my own times, is how Almanzo´s father gave his son the choice, reasoning on whehter it was worthwile to spend money on the pink lemonade during the Independence Day celebration in New York or better spend this money more wisely. The comparison on the time needed to earn money and the value for it was so transparent and still his dad did not oblige him, he gave him the choice. This was a beautiful, enriching and light read.

[Leah McDaniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this to my children but enjoyed it so much myself, I added it to my read books. The story of the boy Laura Ingalls Wilder would one day marry. So many details about life on a farm. Many times we all didn’t understand the details but would often look up pictures of what process from the farm was being described. It transformed us back into a time of hard work and honest fruits of your labor with a sweet family.

[Dana Grothaus · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought I would enjoy this book, because I have 3 young boys. But I had a hard time with it. I found myself so bored for most of it. I don't know if that's because I've been reading too much Little House and am burnt out on it, or if it's because I just genuinely found it boring.

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly here for the 4th grade nostalgia. This book is awesome because Almanzo is adorable and pure in his love for his dad and desperate wish for his own horse. That being said, it has basically no plot :)

[Breony · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first part of the book is a bit violent for young children, talking about his fear of a gang of 16 year olds bashing up his teacher. Once this part of the story is over the story is a fascinating description of farm life of the past.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always love Laura Ingalls books and the fact that my son enjoyed this gave it huge brownie points for me too. It also is a great narrative of life on farms and life before technology which is great for kids.

[Marti Pack · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love going back and revisiting books I read as a kid or to my daughters. There is a sweet innocence and nostalgia to them.

I love how hard people worked and the food descriptions in this book. I relate to things I remember about growing up in a farm.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The one Little House book I didn’t read as a kid. I love the charm and simplicity of Ingalls’ writing and this book doesn’t disappoint. I particularly enjoyed the in depth description of the Wilder meals.

[E.P. Stavs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adding all my unlogged books for the reading challenge. 😅

I like this one since it helps you feel connected to Amazon later in the series (this is book 3 in my set), but the kids were like, when are we getting back to Laura? 😂

[Valentine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Family read aloud. the kids really enjoyed it!

[Andrea Gilliam]

Great book! Great for boys and girls aged 5-9

[Tad Kinnunen]

I realy loved the book I would recomend it to anyone who likes to learn about how a kid lives in his family and has horses.

[Rachel Quigley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The whole family loved this book. Almonzo inspired us to even get pigs.

[Chloe H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the first two books because its just slice of life and nothing bad happens lol

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Been my childhood read for as long as I can remember so I love it

[Rachel Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to it with kids :)

[Elizabeth Hogue Carty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome true story!

[Ivonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book brought me so many childhood memories. I remembered reading it to my boys when young and really enjoyed revisiting those memories.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been reading through the series with my children, and this was a bit harder of a read through than the rest of the series. It didn't seem to captivate the children's attention as much. Perhaps because he did not have the wild adventures and retellings that Laura had, but was focused more on food, etc.

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good. It was really long!
1. Ordinary life: doing his chores.
2. Called to adventure: getting baby bulls.
3. Entering the unknown: training the bulls.
4. Ally and helper: his dad.
5. Road of trials: hard work (training the bulls and doing his chores).
6. The final showdown: finishing training the bulls.
7. Return to the familiar: finish the training and start chores.
8. Having changed and sharing: being proud of his bulls.

[Sarah Bruno · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fantastic nonfiction book that made me want to read more of Laura Ingalls Wilder novels. This story in particular is about Laura's husband Almanzo Wilder and his life as a boy living in the countryside of New York. Almanzo’s family is a very wealthy family owning a huge barn and working as smart farmers. Each year brings a new season and each season brings a hard task that Almanzo and his two sisters and brother work to fulfill the seasons crops. One strength about this book is that its very cool comparing the life of a girl in the late 1800s (Laura Ingalls Wilder)to the life of a boy(Almanzo Wilder)as the work as farmers in opposite sides of the country. Almanzo’s family owning huge barns and living in a huge house made me think how less fortunate Laura's family was having to move everywhere there dad leaving to find work. To me thats kind of funny that they ended up with each other living two different lives. To conclude I think that this is an excellent book.

[Relyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is our current read aloud in my classroom. It's a hit!

It's slow going with reading only a chapter a day, but this book is a hit. I love the way that simple book about a very different, far simpler time is so appealing to children. They find it exciting in a quiet way - no need for thrills. I love that.

12/4
I am constantly amazed at how much kids love Laura's books. You'd think I wouldn't be surprised by now - but I am. I mean, really, her books are nothing like currently published books. By comparison they are tame and lacking in action. Yet, over and over again, children love, love, love them. My only problem now is what to read aloud next. It's always hard to follow up a fantastic book.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK, sure, it's a kid book. A kid book that am totally enthralled with! I can feel the comfort and peace of "the barns," the security of a cellar and attic full of food, enough food for a year. Food that was sown and grown and harvested by themselves and by hand. Food for not only the family but for the livestock. Even without modern conveniences it is a lifestyle to be coveted. I think I'll read it again. And again.

[Sarahr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story follows the life of Almanzo Wilder, the husband of Laura Ignalls, who was the star of the first book in this series. The description says that it is #6 in the series, but it is actually #2. There is not much of a storyline in this book either. Mostly just character following and detailing how life on a farm was back in the day. I found it harder to hold my attention than Little House In The Big Woods. Still good though. Excited for #3 Little House on the Prarie.

[Emily Fedewa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book I read was farmer boy days. This book was a really good book. This book was about this boy who did alot of farming and took care of all the animals on the farm. this book was about laura ingals wilder husband when he was a little boy. This book consists of two years of farming. In the growing season he does crops in the winter he does logs. He also went to school and everything else. He also helps his younger sisters, eliza jane and alice. yes i would recommend this book.