Published: 1971 by Harper Trophy
First Published: 1939
Series: Little House #5
This is definitely the turning point in the books. Not that it needs the comparison, but it's similar to Heaven to Betsy in the Betsy-Tacy series. Laura is no longer a child. She's starting to grow up and the books reflect this.
There's even more changes in these books besides the age jump. (Spoilers ahead, although I'm assuming most people reading this review know what's to come.) Mary is now blind. Carrie is old enough to be an actual character. There's a new sister Grace. And the Ingalls are heading off to the Dakota territory, which is we'll be the rest of the series. It's also where, in this book even, Laura has her first sighting of Almanzo.
There does seem to be a lot more dialogue in this one, mainly because Laura spends so much of her time describing things to Mary. Although writing this post, I'm thinking of the line, "Children should be seen and not heard." So is it any coincidence that in the books with Mary and Laura as children they don't have a lot to say? I'm just a little in disbelief that it took me so long to put it together.
I remember really enjoying this one as a child, but going into it couldn't remember a ton that happened, besides being in a railroad camp. Now I realize that's because not a lot actually does happen. Instead this book is really like a bridge, getting you where you need to be for the rest of the series and setting up what's to come.
5/5
Today I'm linking up with Blonde Undercover Blonde for Book Club Friday!
This is a great description of this book. It has never been my favourite in the series but you have described it so perfectly that now I want to go back and re-read it.
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