This is my favorite book in this series. I love how hopeful it is. The farm is finally starting to produce and although they still have their challenges I love reading about how things are getting just a little bit easier. They now have a proper "house" with actual bedrooms. It was fun to read about how the town is starting to grow. It was bittersweet reading about Mary going away but exciting to know that now she is able to learn new things. I loved reading about all the events in town! The literaries were really fun and the birthday party. This is the period of the Little House "lifestyle" that I always fantasize about living in.
One thing that jumped out at me this time that I never really noticed before in the dozens of times I've read this book was "A grown-up person must never let feelings be shown by voice or manner." I wonder why this was. Why wasn't it okay to show any feelings, even surprise?
Another thing that just boggles my mind every time I read this book was during the school exhibition. How much more information they knew than people now. Being able to do the mental arithmetic. I'm sure there are still people that can do this in their head, but the majority of people that I know would not be able to divide 347,264 by 16 in their head.
This is a book that I really enjoy reading, even though I've read it dozens of times! ( )

After listening to the first book of the little house series I couldn't resist myself to finish the series as soon as possible so that I know what happened to Laura and his family. I didn't read any other books before finishing this series. ( )

how do you participate in the torment of your teacher and then become her sister-in-law? did Laura and Lazy Lousy Lizzie Jane ever talk over old times?? ( )

Independent reading Level: Grades 4-5
Awards: Five of the Little House book have been Honor Books for the Newbery Medal. In 1938, On the Banks of Plum Creek, was an Honor Book; in 1940 By the Shores of Silver Lake was as well. ( )

Wow, this is a tone shift from the previous one! Well, there is still 'blackbirds eat all our crops', but this is much more people living with people, Laura getting her first job, Laura going to school, Laura going to literaries and sociables, swapping name cards, going to birthday parties... it is very different from 'we are slowly freezing and starving to death'. And Almanzo is starting to court Laura (although she still seems more interested in his gorgeous horses than in him!) ( )