Reading Metrics
Description
A biography of the writer whose pioneer life on the American prairie becomes the basis for her "Little House" books.
Quick Summary
If you've ever fallen in love with the Little House books and wondered what Laura Ingalls Wilder's real life was like, this biography is a fantastic way to find out. Anderson does a wonderful job showing how much harder and scarier actual pioneer life was compared to the sometimes idealized versions in the novels the family really did face real hardships, dangerous weather, and uncertainty about where their next meal would come from, which gives you a whole new appreciation for the books. The writing feels accessible for middle graders without talking down to them, and there's a good balance of the tough stuff with moments of warmth and humor that show why Laura's family stuck together through everything. Kids who are already Little House fans will love connecting the dots between the stories they know and what actually happened, while readers new to Laura's world will come away wanting to pick up the original series. Parents will appreciate that it treats its subject honestly, showing both the achievements and the struggles without being preachy.