Publisher and Publication Date: HarperCollins. My edition was published 2004. The first publishing dates are 1935 and 1953.
Genre: Young adult fiction.
Pages: 323.
Format: E-Book. Kindle.
Source: Library.
Rating: Good.

Little House on the Prairie is book #3 in the Little House series.

Link for the book @ Thriftbooks.
I’ve become a huge fan of Thriftbooks. They also have an app.

Summary:

The Ingalls family has left the Big Woods of Wisconsin and have traveled to Indian country (on the prairie of the Midwest.) Their father felt there were too many people living in the Big Woods and nearby towns.

They say goodbye to family. They say goodbye to their warm cabin. They say goodbye to some of their animals but not Jack the dog. Jack travels with them.

It is winter when they leave the Big Woods. They are able to cross over the icy waters in the wagon.

They travel to an unknown specific location except in their hopes and dreams.

After arriving and building a home, they meet a bachelor neighbor, Mr. Edwards.

They eventually relocate because of the government.

My Thoughts:

I have a goal of adding at least one young adult book to my reading pile. I usually have 5 or 6 books that I’m currently reading. I want to read through all of the Little House series again.

When I was a child, I loved the Little House books. I owned a few of them. I read several of them multiple times. Reading young adult books as an adult I am aware of things not noticed before. For example, how Jack the dog is treated. Why was the poor dog tied up and made to trot along under the wagon? I’m sure he became tired just as people would tire. I had to remind myself this is a different time and society. People did not think as they do now. I would have let the dog walk some but let him ride in the wagon too. Other noticeable things are words and terms not used now. I am referring to people groups and races. But this book was written in another era. It is a reflection of people who lived in history.

What I enjoy about the story is the affection between Pa and Ma Ingalls, and between Pa and his children. Ma Ingalls is serious. Pa Ingalls will play with the children. He laughs. I also love the positive affirmation and appreciation for one another. They are a comfort and encouragement to one another. They are thankful people.

I love reading about the building of furniture, creative use of other objects to make a home, and the foods they ate.

The book shares unsettling and frightful events. For example, a prairie fire, and a sickness in the family.

I would not like having a blanket as a door, and it is the only barrier between me and wolves.

There is an interesting and perplexing substory about a couple who are sitting in their wagon without horses. The couple refuses to leave their belongings even though Pa Ingalls is prepared to take them to Independence.