Writings to Young Women on Laura Ingalls Wilder: As Told by Her Family, Friend & Neighbors

Writings to Young Women from Laura Ingalls Wilder #3

by Laura Ingalls Wilder, Stephen W. Hines (Editor)

In Writings to Young Women on Laura Ingalls As Told by Her Family, Friends, and Neighbors , we see Laura through the eyes of those who knew her best. They tell of her insatiable love for reading and learning new things, her reactions to the fame from her best-selling children's series, and even which book she considered her favorite.

Genres: Nonfiction, Childrens

118 pages, Hardcover

First published May 10, 2006

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

[Della Tingle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Growing up in the 70’s, I LOVED Little House on the Prairie on tv. One Christmas, when I was about 8 or 9, my dad bought me the complete boxed set of the books which I still have today. This third book from Editor Stephen Hines only gives more insight and information into the life of Laura Ingalls Wilder who inspired, “A good friend to books is a good friend to have.” Laura grew up when hard work was necessary to survival and stated, “We worked hard, but it was interesting and didn’t hurt us any.” This third book gives a really good picture of Laura’s only daughter, Jane who spoke 6 languages!

[Mama Leaf · Rating 3 out of 5]

For Laura Ingalls Wilder fans we just want to read anything we can. This brief book is just a few neighbors of the older Wilder who knew her. None of them knew her intimately but more just knew of her or had spoken to her on occasion. It was still a good book and worth reading for those of us who like learning more about her life.

[Pamela Potter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not great

[Glenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read all the Little House books as a child, and I have read them over many times as an adult. This Volume 3 book gives new insights about Laura Ingalls Wilder from her friends and neighbors that every reader of the Little House books will want to read.

[Jodie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really admire Laura Ingalls Wilder and I have enjoyed reading this series.

[Lorraine Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting to read true life advise from Laura