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Little House: The Rose Years #5
Little Town in the Ozarks
The fifth book in the Rose Years series, the story of the spirited daughter of the author of the beloved Little House series.
Little Town In The Ozarks continues the story of Rose, Laura Ingalls Wilder’s daughter, as hard times on the farm force Rose and her family to move to the town of Mansfield. Life in town is so different from living on Rocky Ridge Farm that Rose wonders if she will ever learn to like the hustle and bustle of town life.
Little Town In The Ozarks continues the story of Rose, Laura Ingalls Wilder’s daughter, as hard times on the farm force Rose and her family to move to the town of Mansfield. Life in town is so different from living on Rocky Ridge Farm that Rose wonders if she will ever learn to like the hustle and bustle of town life.
336 pages, Paperback
First published August 30, 1996
16 people are currently reading
2865 people want to read
About the author
Roger Lea MacBride
66 books120 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 72 reviews
September 24, 2008
In this fifth volume of the set, The Rocky Ridge series seems to take a turn. Storywise, Rose Wilder and her family are forced by a poor harvest and pressing bills to move from their farm to a house in the town of Mansfield, Missouri. It's an adjustment for the family as they experience the joys and burdens of "city" life. But the book also has a healthy dose of political commentary as the Wilders and their neighbors react to and comment on the Spanish-American war. It's a marked change from the original Little House books which seem totally centered around the Ingalls family's life and immediate surroundings. It's also a lesser departure from the earlier Rocky Ridge books, which were somewhat centered on the farm. Why this change occurs, I don't know. It could be due to the fact that the author, Roger Lea MacBride, died before completing the manuscripts for this and the subsequent three volumes of the series. Perhaps either his ghost writers injected the political slant into the series or they failed to edit out political comments that Mr. MacBride had always put into his rough drafts. Or it could be that Mr. MacBride is trying to reflect the times at the turn of the 20th Century, when the telegraph and improved transportation brought the outside world a bit closer to mid-America. Or maybe it's just an honest depiction of Rose Wilder's own awakening social conscience. Whatever the reason, it doesn't make the book bad, just different from its predecessors. The Wilders and their neighbors are still the same admirable characters and it's still interesting to see what happens next. Check it out.
November 27, 2023
4.5 stars. Got a lil slow in the middle but picked up near the end.
April 4, 2025
It was okay... I enjoyed it and got through it pretty fast but found a lot of parts really boring. I mostly wanted to reread this because it was a big part of my childhood.
My view of it now is kinda... meh. It's sweet, nostalgic, but kind of uninteresting. Maybe I'll like the next one better. :)
My view of it now is kinda... meh. It's sweet, nostalgic, but kind of uninteresting. Maybe I'll like the next one better. :)
December 18, 2020
4.5 stars & 5/10 hearts. The most frustrating thing, but also the intriguing thing, about the Rose books is that you can never tell what will happen! I really love Paul in this book (minus the cheek kiss); he’s such a wonderful guy. I just totally ship him & Rose! I absolutely loved Laura’s speech and it was so thought-provoking! There are euphemisms, as usual; a cheek kiss; also a veiled mention of Rose’s lack of breasts. Rose is a pretty relatable girl in some things, but I was getting to be a bit upset/worried at how her parents are raising her and who she was turning out to be—a flirt and a rebel. The further I get into this series, the more I saw the signs of Rose becoming stubborn and just plain rebellious develop into the unhappy, worldly woman she was at the end, which saddens me. And looking back, I can see that the books degenerated. I’ve looked into reviews of the next 3 books, and they all mention so many things I dislike, as well as (most of them) saying that Rose’s character is changing and she’s growing quite dislikable. Up to now, I really did love these books—the loveliness balances out the few little things that bug me, and they’re easy to white out; and I did liked this book as well. So I will stop here, and keep on dreaming of sweet, happy Rose of Book 1, marrying Paul Cooley and having a lovely life. Edited, this book is suitable for ages 16+.
*I do plan to reread these books next year to see what I think of them then; review subject to revision/updates*
*I do plan to reread these books next year to see what I think of them then; review subject to revision/updates*
July 13, 2015
The kids and I really loved this book. It felt true to life yet still carried the magic of the Laura Ingalls-Wilder Little House series. There was a lot of new material that deftly covered the national changes from the late 1800's into the early 1900's. Characters with real personalities, clear settings, well developed plot lines, overall, an excellent read. I would recommend this book to young and old alike.
June 8, 2024
This book was incredible. Rose's family emulates the epitome of hard work through really tough times. Rose learns how friendships may come and go, but family stays consistent in love and support. You learn that life throws curve balls, and lots of change, but change is good. It makes you who you are!
January 5, 2026
They just moved into the Cooley’s old townhouse in Mansfield since Mr. Cooley’s death and Almanzo’s dad buying their house. They would live in town until the apples bore fruit. Almanzo would be a drayman, hauling freight to and from the railroad depot. Laura would keep books for the oil company and maybe take in boarders in their extra rooms. They had her egg money and could sell crops and timber.
They had a bunch of visitors, two of which were the Reverend and his wife. She wanted Rose to go to Sunday school and Rose knew she didn’t want to go, because it was the same as teachers in school telling her what to think. She was like Laura and liked to make up her own mind about things.
Laura didn’t like to hear preaching that was full of fire and brimstone. She said “I can hear God’s word plain enough without its being shouted at me.”
Blanche called a woman an old maid and Rose was shocked at the things Blanche said about people, almost right out loud. Blanche sang a mean ditty about Miss Sarah being an ugly old maid who can’t catch a fellow.
It was a slow start to me. You would think a move to town and everything would be more interesting but it wasn’t. But it sure got exciting when Swiney rolled Rose down the hill in the barrel and she crashed and got hurt. Laura said aren’t there enough dangers in the world without making up new ones?
Rose loved the farming chores, caring for the animals and making them cozy and feeding them. Rose asked Laura if she could live with Abe and Effie. She hated town with all the strangers staring and Blanche not being a real friend and only friends if no one better was there. Laura didn’t like it either, but said “What must be done is best done cheerfully.”
It was funny when Rose returned a plate to an old woman and liked hearing her talk, thinking that when adults talk was so boring she ached but sat still and was seen and not heard. But if they started to say anything interesting, Laura sent her out to play.
Some men were going up to the Yukon for the gold rush. One farmer found $15,000 worth of gold. Manly said if he was a few years younger and Laura disapproved of it, believed in honest work.
Laura wouldn’t have a telephone, said there was nothing so important she had to say that it couldn’t wait for her to walk across town. She also wouldn’t have had a hired girl if she was paid to, gawking at her when she wants to speak to her husband for his own good.
Rose noticed how grown-up Paul was, almost 14 years old and a man, helping his family out after the death of his dad. She felt warmth in her chest thinking about him, and thought he looked most handsome when he smiled. He helped move in furniture Manly had gotten and when Laura kissed Manly on the cheek, Paul caught Rose’s eye and looked away bashfully.
She thought about him more and more and wondered where he was and what he was doing and felt shy when he was around.
Rose wanted Swiney to come to school so badly. He didn’t want to because the city boys bullied him and made fun of his name. She told him to ask Abe if he had a real name and it turned out to be Nathan so Swiney decided to go by Nate. He showed up late to school and told a joke about walking backwards and won the class over.
Mrs. Honeycutt thought he needed to go back to the third reader but they begged and the teachers relented and let him stay, with Rose and Laura helping him.
Blanche’s friend Lois said Paul was very handsome and she wouldn’t mind if he walked her home from church. Rose was upset at the thought.
I couldn’t believe Manly called Laura out at the debate. He was chosen for a team but didn’t want to. It was about who had worse treatment, the Negro or the Indian. He said Laura has known some Indians and there isn’t a subject she doesn’t have a strong opinion on. They’ve never had a woman speak and Manly said there’s not a woman alive who can’t hold her own. You won’t catch her without a last word and he hasn’t won a debate against her yet in 12 years.
Laura was on the side that said cruelty was greater against Indians. She was chosen to speak, saying that Negros were provided for despite slavery and that the Indians were driven from their land onto worthless land and their game was killed. Their weapons were no match and treaties were written that they couldn’t read. Sometimes women and children were killed. The Declaration of Independence didn’t mean freedom for all, only for those who already had it. Indians are no better off now than they were when white people first came, while Negros can own their own land and even become doctors. The whole room clapped and she clearly won the debate. She even made it into the newspaper.
She turned 11. She bought Paul a bow tie for Christmas, and he kissed her on the cheek. She jumped back and apologized for being startled. He said she sure is sweet and it seems like they’ve been friends forever. If he ever had a sister he’d want it to be her.
They took on a boarder, Mr. Craig, and he asked Rose how she liked school and she said the lessons were boring. He said they’ll prove useful to her and they learn for life and not for school. It was funny how she decided right then and there that she didn’t like him. I hated that she withdrew from having a stranger at supper where she couldn’t speak and they couldn’t talk as a family, and had to dress up and Fido had to stay outside. Then railroaders paid to eat there and Rose and Laura had to eat in the kitchen.
After church Paul walked Lois home and I felt so bad for Rose, unable to concentrate on anything else the whole way home. Laura and Manly left for a while and Rose cried and cried about her plain, childish appearance. Laura said Charles used to call her half-pint and said was built like a little French horse.
There was a pie supper one night at school, an auction to raise money for school things. Women and young ladies bake something and wrap it up in paper and ribbons so no one knows what’s inside. The men and boys bid and the highest bidder gets to sit and eat it with the girl.
Rose asked how Manly would know this was Laura’s, and she said she’ll let Manly see the wrapping, because it wouldn’t be proper for a married woman to eat with another man. But a young lady will be very careful not to let on that it’s hers unless she wants her beau to know about it.
No one bid against Manly for Laura’s pie because everone knows when a married man bids, he’s bidding for his wife’s package and it wouldn’t be right for another man to bid against him.
Paul had told Rose which one Lois’s was but Rose knew that wasn’t it. He ended up bidding on Mrs. Ripee’s, spending over a dollar and the whole room laughed at him. Lois had an older boy bid on hers.
It was funny when Laura cut herself for the final time on the new fangled butter churner that Manly got her and she threw it outside and then went out and kicked it. She told Manly she dropped it, “just as far as I could.”
Eliza Jane wrote that their dad had lost his fortune. He turned it over to Pearly Day and her and they invested in land for rice farming and lost it all. Shortly after, he passed away. Laura explained to Rose that it was the end of an era. Their parents were the first to settle the land they survived by had work. The frontier is closed now and the country will never see the likes of them again.
Rose and Nate met a tramp by the railroad tracks. Laura told her not to go down there anymore, but when she gave them a nickel to get candy, Rose spent it on food for him instead. She kept taking food from their meals and bringing it to him. She had to confess when Laura thought they had a thief and Manly was set to go to the sheriff. Manly went with her to see the tramp and brought him back, helped him find a job and let him stay with them. He decided to leave one day and Rose asked him to write her, saying she’d never forget him, and he said she’d saved him from starving and he’d never forget her.
Paul invited her to go with him and his family to swim in the creek. He saw Lois show up with another boy and Rose said she doesn’t see why he ever liked her. All she cares about is herself. Paul said he doesn’t know either but he’ll never forget what she did to him at the pie supper. Girls are awful scheming sometimes. Rose said she’s never and then blushed and looked away. When she looked back he was looking at her and said she’s a good friend, the best of friends. There isn’t another soul he could talk with the way they did. He looked away shyly. Rose’s heart filled to bursting with tenderness and she could have said she just loves him so much! Instead she splashed him and it started a water fight.
Rose ended up getting pneumonia for several days and had to see a doctor for the first time. When she got better, Manly had tears running down his cheeks, the first time she’d ever seen him cry.
Blanche came to visit her and shared that Lois had been sparking with a boy out of town and made him think she’d marry him, only to start sparking with another boy. The out of town boy got so mad and drunk that it almost led to a shootout and they had to be put in jail. It was a horrible scandal for her family she’d never live down. Blanche didn’t like Lois for what she did to Paul, and her only being for herself. She said Paul came by twice a day to check on Rose. Rose shared she likes Paul and Blanche said she’s lucky to be in love and didn’t think she’d ever.
Rose was finally able to go outside and the conductor of the train saw her and stopped right there even though they don’t stop anywhere but the depot. He said he missed her and asked around and found out she was sick. He told her to keep herself well.
It’s so sad the author passed away and his daughter and editors had to help piece the rest together. You could definitely tell a difference between this book and the last. The way the characters spoke was completely different. Laura said “For heaven’s sake” and even “For God’s sake.” There is no way she would have said that and taken the Lord’s name in vain as religious as she was. Also, Rose and others like Blanche would jam words together like “D’you” and “‘most” instead of saying the separate words or “almost.”
Also the timeline felt so different. Rose began at 10 years old, had her birthday in December, and the next thing you knew, another summer passed and she was 12, without having experienced her 12th birthday. This felt random and not a smooth timeline. So much time was skipped over and the seasons were harder to follow. I was like what season are they in??
They had a bunch of visitors, two of which were the Reverend and his wife. She wanted Rose to go to Sunday school and Rose knew she didn’t want to go, because it was the same as teachers in school telling her what to think. She was like Laura and liked to make up her own mind about things.
Laura didn’t like to hear preaching that was full of fire and brimstone. She said “I can hear God’s word plain enough without its being shouted at me.”
Blanche called a woman an old maid and Rose was shocked at the things Blanche said about people, almost right out loud. Blanche sang a mean ditty about Miss Sarah being an ugly old maid who can’t catch a fellow.
It was a slow start to me. You would think a move to town and everything would be more interesting but it wasn’t. But it sure got exciting when Swiney rolled Rose down the hill in the barrel and she crashed and got hurt. Laura said aren’t there enough dangers in the world without making up new ones?
Rose loved the farming chores, caring for the animals and making them cozy and feeding them. Rose asked Laura if she could live with Abe and Effie. She hated town with all the strangers staring and Blanche not being a real friend and only friends if no one better was there. Laura didn’t like it either, but said “What must be done is best done cheerfully.”
It was funny when Rose returned a plate to an old woman and liked hearing her talk, thinking that when adults talk was so boring she ached but sat still and was seen and not heard. But if they started to say anything interesting, Laura sent her out to play.
Some men were going up to the Yukon for the gold rush. One farmer found $15,000 worth of gold. Manly said if he was a few years younger and Laura disapproved of it, believed in honest work.
Laura wouldn’t have a telephone, said there was nothing so important she had to say that it couldn’t wait for her to walk across town. She also wouldn’t have had a hired girl if she was paid to, gawking at her when she wants to speak to her husband for his own good.
Rose noticed how grown-up Paul was, almost 14 years old and a man, helping his family out after the death of his dad. She felt warmth in her chest thinking about him, and thought he looked most handsome when he smiled. He helped move in furniture Manly had gotten and when Laura kissed Manly on the cheek, Paul caught Rose’s eye and looked away bashfully.
She thought about him more and more and wondered where he was and what he was doing and felt shy when he was around.
Rose wanted Swiney to come to school so badly. He didn’t want to because the city boys bullied him and made fun of his name. She told him to ask Abe if he had a real name and it turned out to be Nathan so Swiney decided to go by Nate. He showed up late to school and told a joke about walking backwards and won the class over.
Mrs. Honeycutt thought he needed to go back to the third reader but they begged and the teachers relented and let him stay, with Rose and Laura helping him.
Blanche’s friend Lois said Paul was very handsome and she wouldn’t mind if he walked her home from church. Rose was upset at the thought.
I couldn’t believe Manly called Laura out at the debate. He was chosen for a team but didn’t want to. It was about who had worse treatment, the Negro or the Indian. He said Laura has known some Indians and there isn’t a subject she doesn’t have a strong opinion on. They’ve never had a woman speak and Manly said there’s not a woman alive who can’t hold her own. You won’t catch her without a last word and he hasn’t won a debate against her yet in 12 years.
Laura was on the side that said cruelty was greater against Indians. She was chosen to speak, saying that Negros were provided for despite slavery and that the Indians were driven from their land onto worthless land and their game was killed. Their weapons were no match and treaties were written that they couldn’t read. Sometimes women and children were killed. The Declaration of Independence didn’t mean freedom for all, only for those who already had it. Indians are no better off now than they were when white people first came, while Negros can own their own land and even become doctors. The whole room clapped and she clearly won the debate. She even made it into the newspaper.
She turned 11. She bought Paul a bow tie for Christmas, and he kissed her on the cheek. She jumped back and apologized for being startled. He said she sure is sweet and it seems like they’ve been friends forever. If he ever had a sister he’d want it to be her.
They took on a boarder, Mr. Craig, and he asked Rose how she liked school and she said the lessons were boring. He said they’ll prove useful to her and they learn for life and not for school. It was funny how she decided right then and there that she didn’t like him. I hated that she withdrew from having a stranger at supper where she couldn’t speak and they couldn’t talk as a family, and had to dress up and Fido had to stay outside. Then railroaders paid to eat there and Rose and Laura had to eat in the kitchen.
After church Paul walked Lois home and I felt so bad for Rose, unable to concentrate on anything else the whole way home. Laura and Manly left for a while and Rose cried and cried about her plain, childish appearance. Laura said Charles used to call her half-pint and said was built like a little French horse.
There was a pie supper one night at school, an auction to raise money for school things. Women and young ladies bake something and wrap it up in paper and ribbons so no one knows what’s inside. The men and boys bid and the highest bidder gets to sit and eat it with the girl.
Rose asked how Manly would know this was Laura’s, and she said she’ll let Manly see the wrapping, because it wouldn’t be proper for a married woman to eat with another man. But a young lady will be very careful not to let on that it’s hers unless she wants her beau to know about it.
No one bid against Manly for Laura’s pie because everone knows when a married man bids, he’s bidding for his wife’s package and it wouldn’t be right for another man to bid against him.
Paul had told Rose which one Lois’s was but Rose knew that wasn’t it. He ended up bidding on Mrs. Ripee’s, spending over a dollar and the whole room laughed at him. Lois had an older boy bid on hers.
It was funny when Laura cut herself for the final time on the new fangled butter churner that Manly got her and she threw it outside and then went out and kicked it. She told Manly she dropped it, “just as far as I could.”
Eliza Jane wrote that their dad had lost his fortune. He turned it over to Pearly Day and her and they invested in land for rice farming and lost it all. Shortly after, he passed away. Laura explained to Rose that it was the end of an era. Their parents were the first to settle the land they survived by had work. The frontier is closed now and the country will never see the likes of them again.
Rose and Nate met a tramp by the railroad tracks. Laura told her not to go down there anymore, but when she gave them a nickel to get candy, Rose spent it on food for him instead. She kept taking food from their meals and bringing it to him. She had to confess when Laura thought they had a thief and Manly was set to go to the sheriff. Manly went with her to see the tramp and brought him back, helped him find a job and let him stay with them. He decided to leave one day and Rose asked him to write her, saying she’d never forget him, and he said she’d saved him from starving and he’d never forget her.
Paul invited her to go with him and his family to swim in the creek. He saw Lois show up with another boy and Rose said she doesn’t see why he ever liked her. All she cares about is herself. Paul said he doesn’t know either but he’ll never forget what she did to him at the pie supper. Girls are awful scheming sometimes. Rose said she’s never and then blushed and looked away. When she looked back he was looking at her and said she’s a good friend, the best of friends. There isn’t another soul he could talk with the way they did. He looked away shyly. Rose’s heart filled to bursting with tenderness and she could have said she just loves him so much! Instead she splashed him and it started a water fight.
Rose ended up getting pneumonia for several days and had to see a doctor for the first time. When she got better, Manly had tears running down his cheeks, the first time she’d ever seen him cry.
Blanche came to visit her and shared that Lois had been sparking with a boy out of town and made him think she’d marry him, only to start sparking with another boy. The out of town boy got so mad and drunk that it almost led to a shootout and they had to be put in jail. It was a horrible scandal for her family she’d never live down. Blanche didn’t like Lois for what she did to Paul, and her only being for herself. She said Paul came by twice a day to check on Rose. Rose shared she likes Paul and Blanche said she’s lucky to be in love and didn’t think she’d ever.
Rose was finally able to go outside and the conductor of the train saw her and stopped right there even though they don’t stop anywhere but the depot. He said he missed her and asked around and found out she was sick. He told her to keep herself well.
It’s so sad the author passed away and his daughter and editors had to help piece the rest together. You could definitely tell a difference between this book and the last. The way the characters spoke was completely different. Laura said “For heaven’s sake” and even “For God’s sake.” There is no way she would have said that and taken the Lord’s name in vain as religious as she was. Also, Rose and others like Blanche would jam words together like “D’you” and “‘most” instead of saying the separate words or “almost.”
Also the timeline felt so different. Rose began at 10 years old, had her birthday in December, and the next thing you knew, another summer passed and she was 12, without having experienced her 12th birthday. This felt random and not a smooth timeline. So much time was skipped over and the seasons were harder to follow. I was like what season are they in??
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2022
Rose continues to grow up in Missouri and her life is constantly changing. She spends more time in town but she's always pictured Rocky Ridge Farm as her home. She's a prairie girl at heart, just like her mom. No matter how I describe each book's plot, I'll always come back to how much joy and comfort this series brings me. I originated the term "honeyglow" from the Little House franchise. It's something that makes you smile so hard you can feel it in your cheeks or a sense of rightness that you feel deep in your heart. I've certainly discovered that feeling with both Laura and Rose's adventures, more so with her daughter. While Rose is settling in her little town in the Ozarks, I'll love her no matter her location. I've only got two books left with her! What am I gonna do? Looks like I gotta stop and smell the Rose Wilder while I still can.
July 2, 2019
Things are starting to get quite repetitive now we’re onto the fifth book of the series and Rose is still only twelve (and a half.)
This book did bring with it some sad news however, with the author, Roger Lea MacBride, having died in March 1995. From the sounds of the “author’s” note (his daughter), there were four unfinished manuscripts, with this being one of them.
I can’t really see any difference between what Roger wrote and what a ghostwriter/his daughter added in, to polish up the manuscript and make it publishable. (It was published in 1996.) If anything, it’s a little more dull, than the previous four books.
There’s not much happening in this book. In the earlier ones, we’ve had “events” - cyclones, fires, droughts etc. This one, Laura gets excited about a new parlour set and sets the little town of Mansfield alight by becoming the first woman to join in a debate. A good night’s entertainment! And little Rose with her blinkers on, has her first encounter of seeing how “coloureds” and “whites” were separated. And I don’t mean by washing either.
Rose is “growing up” and at the age of 11/12, has decided she’s in love with Paul, her friend for years. At that age, I didn’t know the meaning of love! But not to worry, Paul promptly breaks her heart, by asking another girl (you know, prettier, better dressed than plain little Rose) to “walk her home” after church on Sunday. (How innocent.) Rose behaves in the overly dramatic way that her mother before her did, and collapses on the floor. (We all remember what happened between Laura and Nellie when Almanzo first trotted into town.)
I’m sorry, but Rose should have seen red flags, when Paul describes her as being like a sister to him. If any man describes you as being like a sister to him, or something along those lines, then he’ll never love you.
But, from reading ahead on the blurbs, it does seem like Paul and Rose get together, so clearly I know nothing. But ... I have a feeling Paul is fictionalised, or a combination of a couple of different people. (Much like Nellie is meant to be a combination of a couple of different people in the original stories) Considering Rose marries (and divorced) Gillette (“the best a man can get”) Lane, in real life, I’m not sure where Paul comes into things. But she does become a telegrapher.
I’m not overall sure what my feelings are about this book. It’s been quite a few sarcastic review, but there is just not much to say about a dull book. I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily bad, but it’s just not on a par with the earlier ones. I hope this isn’t going to mean that the storyline is going to start going downhill.
This book did bring with it some sad news however, with the author, Roger Lea MacBride, having died in March 1995. From the sounds of the “author’s” note (his daughter), there were four unfinished manuscripts, with this being one of them.
I can’t really see any difference between what Roger wrote and what a ghostwriter/his daughter added in, to polish up the manuscript and make it publishable. (It was published in 1996.) If anything, it’s a little more dull, than the previous four books.
There’s not much happening in this book. In the earlier ones, we’ve had “events” - cyclones, fires, droughts etc. This one, Laura gets excited about a new parlour set and sets the little town of Mansfield alight by becoming the first woman to join in a debate. A good night’s entertainment! And little Rose with her blinkers on, has her first encounter of seeing how “coloureds” and “whites” were separated. And I don’t mean by washing either.
Rose is “growing up” and at the age of 11/12, has decided she’s in love with Paul, her friend for years. At that age, I didn’t know the meaning of love! But not to worry, Paul promptly breaks her heart, by asking another girl (you know, prettier, better dressed than plain little Rose) to “walk her home” after church on Sunday. (How innocent.) Rose behaves in the overly dramatic way that her mother before her did, and collapses on the floor. (We all remember what happened between Laura and Nellie when Almanzo first trotted into town.)
I’m sorry, but Rose should have seen red flags, when Paul describes her as being like a sister to him. If any man describes you as being like a sister to him, or something along those lines, then he’ll never love you.
But, from reading ahead on the blurbs, it does seem like Paul and Rose get together, so clearly I know nothing. But ... I have a feeling Paul is fictionalised, or a combination of a couple of different people. (Much like Nellie is meant to be a combination of a couple of different people in the original stories) Considering Rose marries (and divorced) Gillette (“the best a man can get”) Lane, in real life, I’m not sure where Paul comes into things. But she does become a telegrapher.
I’m not overall sure what my feelings are about this book. It’s been quite a few sarcastic review, but there is just not much to say about a dull book. I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily bad, but it’s just not on a par with the earlier ones. I hope this isn’t going to mean that the storyline is going to start going downhill.
April 17, 2018
This is the first of the last four Rose books not fully written by MacBride but by his daughter after his death.
This covers 1898-1899, while the Wilders live in town. Rose turns 12 and I have to constantly remind myself that she is that young. Her behavior changes a lot (yay puberty) and she realizes she's in love with Paul - making her seem his age and not hers.
She begins by not liking the noise in town and wanting to be like Blanche. She basically wants to shun people like her because she's a townie. I'm glad she realizes that Blanche isn't a TRUE friend, though she's better than some other girls in town.
And I'm glad she does show growth.
Mrs. Rippee is awesome. I'm trying to find her, see if she was a real person.
It's fascinating that Blanche's family has a telephone! That shows us how well off they were.
I like seeing that people who moved then gave away things that they continue to now.
Soliders who came home from war were treated just as poorly in those days.
The Debate is my favorite chapter.
Time passes by in sections but seems to be done better here than in the previous book.
Almanzo is worse than Pa when it comes to new inventions!
This covers 1898-1899, while the Wilders live in town. Rose turns 12 and I have to constantly remind myself that she is that young. Her behavior changes a lot (yay puberty) and she realizes she's in love with Paul - making her seem his age and not hers.
She begins by not liking the noise in town and wanting to be like Blanche. She basically wants to shun people like her because she's a townie. I'm glad she realizes that Blanche isn't a TRUE friend, though she's better than some other girls in town.
And I'm glad she does show growth.
Mrs. Rippee is awesome. I'm trying to find her, see if she was a real person.
It's fascinating that Blanche's family has a telephone! That shows us how well off they were.
I like seeing that people who moved then gave away things that they continue to now.
Soliders who came home from war were treated just as poorly in those days.
The Debate is my favorite chapter.
Time passes by in sections but seems to be done better here than in the previous book.
Almanzo is worse than Pa when it comes to new inventions!
May 9, 2010
Rose is growing up..... My favorite part of this is when there is a town debate (for entertainment, like the spelling bee in Little Town on the Prairie), and Laura ends up giving an impassioned speech about the troubles of the American Indian. I know there are some who criticize the way the original series dealt with Native issues, but this makes up for it, in my opinion. At the very least, it represents an awareness that prevailing ideas in society were changing by the turn of the century about how whites had comported themselves during the settlement of the Americas. I think we are seeing the beginning of Rose's social/political conscience.
October 16, 2020
In this novel, Rose Wilder is in between many things. She's not quite a little girl, but not quite a young lady; not quite a country girl, but not quite a town girl, either. She doesn't fit in at school, where she is far ahead of her classmates academically but still the youngest scholar in her class. As the world and her life changes, she begins to feel like she's never going to change, that she'll always be stuck in this in-between place.
Even over 120 years later, kids ages eleven to thirteen share these kinds of feelings and experiences.
Even over 120 years later, kids ages eleven to thirteen share these kinds of feelings and experiences.
May 5, 2025
The Wilder’s have moved into town, and Rose immediately hates it and wishes she was back on the farm; it’s loud there’s nosy people and there’s train dust on everything but they’ve moved into the Cooley’s large house and they are enjoying the space. Rose realizes she has a crush on Paul, but Lois also likes him and for a while they are sparking and Rose is very jealous. There is a Deb in town one night, who has been more cruel treated than Negro or Indians? Laura speaks for team Indian, and they win the debate. They take on a boarder named Mr. Craig. Grandpa Wilder looses his fortune in Louisiana, giving his money to Eliza, Jane and Almanzo’s brother-they put the money into Rice Farms and got swindled. Then grandpa Wilder died. The story takes place in 1899, and there is reference to the sinking of the battleship, Maine, and the Spanish Cuba war. Rose helps out a tramp, veteran named Jim, giving him food, and then Almanzo gets him a job in town. It was a good year for crops, and the RR business in town and they are feeling good financially. Story ends with Rose swimming on a hot day with Paul, but then she gets Pneumonia and almost dies, but recovers and his happy to be alive.
February 9, 2024
Definitely not my fave of the series. I put a bookmark in the book every time I found a comment that was either sexist or ridiculously romantic for a ten year old. There are a lot of bookmarks in this book. For example: "When it comes to arguing, there's not a woman alive couldn't hold her own." That is a man putting his wife up to represent a team at a debate. Wow. Or, "The way he brushed his hair from his forehead made her heart melt." Did I mention she's ten?
I have to admit, the dramatic moments, were a lot better than the other books.
Overall, I would not judge the series based on this book.
I have to admit, the dramatic moments, were a lot better than the other books.
Overall, I would not judge the series based on this book.
March 9, 2024
We all really enjoyed following Rose as she moved to town. It's amazing how used you get to seeing characters in a particular setting and then how it can be jarring to see those characters have to change where they live and how they live.
My girls and I enjoyed seeing Rose in town, though. We especially liked seeing Mama use her wits in the debate and the terrible thing that happened at the pie auction.
See this review and more on my Substack: https://momsmusings.substack.com/i/14...
My girls really liked the last chapter, which was more terrifying to me as a mother than I'd like to admit. But the chapter and book end with such a lovely sunbeam of hope that I can understand their sentiments. Again, the writing is well done and I enjoyed the book as much as my 9-, 7-, and 5-year-old girls did.
My girls and I enjoyed seeing Rose in town, though. We especially liked seeing Mama use her wits in the debate and the terrible thing that happened at the pie auction.
See this review and more on my Substack: https://momsmusings.substack.com/i/14...
My girls really liked the last chapter, which was more terrifying to me as a mother than I'd like to admit. But the chapter and book end with such a lovely sunbeam of hope that I can understand their sentiments. Again, the writing is well done and I enjoyed the book as much as my 9-, 7-, and 5-year-old girls did.
May 28, 2017
Life in town is different than life out on the farm, and it takes Rose time to adapt to that. She eventually does, and she starts to grow up, gaining more interest in the broader world and life beyond what she's currently living. I will admit that in this book, especially in the commentary on the Spanish American war, you see a lot more of Rose Wilder Lane and her protege Roger Lea MacBride's politics coming through, but it's a small enough plot point to not be annoying.
January 22, 2020
I liked this book overall, as you weren't always sure what was going to happen after the family moved to town and personal relationships, rather than the man-vs-nature theme, took center stage. Rose, on the whole, becomes a bit less likeable as the series goes on, and that really begins here for me.
November 23, 2021
Love this series, stories of farm life for the Wilder's and their sacrifices they had to make in order to keep their farm afloat. Feeling their pride and love of the land is told throughout this book, in particular.
Also, in the background, America coming into the new future of the late 1800's into the new beginnings of 1900.
Also, in the background, America coming into the new future of the late 1800's into the new beginnings of 1900.
May 19, 2025
I think this is my favorite book in the series so far. I wasn’t sure how I’d like the time the Wilders had to live in town, but it’s just as interesting as their lives on Rocky Ridge Farm. Rose is growing up and experiencing many “growing pains,” but she comes through them with love and support from her dear Mama, Laura, as well as learning faith in herself. Looking forward to the next book!
February 1, 2026
So much progressive thought, especially for the time period! That being said, the debate made good points about the suffering of both African Americans and Native Americans, but the oppression Olympics felt wrong when being used for entertainment by white people. That being said, probably my favorite in the series so far!
March 21, 2019
Rose is 12 now. She's in the 5th reader.
Her family lives in town and there are loud noises she's never heard. The biggest noise is the train. People in town say, "You'll get used to it in time."
There are many challenges and many happy moments she faces.
Her family lives in town and there are loud noises she's never heard. The biggest noise is the train. People in town say, "You'll get used to it in time."
There are many challenges and many happy moments she faces.
July 3, 2024
It's been a few years since I read this book. I think I enjoyed it more now than I did when I was ten. I loved the simplicity of the story while still telling a wonderful story of a young school girl. I now want to reread all of the little house books!
March 24, 2025
My girls and I enjoyed this a lot more than the previous book. Maybe because Rose moved to town and non-farm things happened? We aren't against farm life books, but it did seem as though book 4 was a lot like book 3.
June 11, 2017
Rose is a teen and it's interesting to see how different things were a bit over a hundred years ago and how many things are the same.
June 7, 2019
Another quick read in this series. This one takes place when the Wilders have to move back into town and take work to help survive. Rose is growing older and has adventures in town.
July 29, 2019
Still mainly reading them for the sake of Almanzo and Laura. Difficult to like Rose and the author after reading about them in Prairie Fires by Caroline Fraser.
October 13, 2020
I love these stories about days gone by,when life was hard work,but usually full of happiness.
February 8, 2021
very good
March 31, 2021
interesting to read about national events going on during this time
August 30, 2021
Turtle: great! Return to library.
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