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I remember snuggling on the couch years ago with my then 2-year-old girl and enjoying the Little House picture books together. Those simple illustrated stories lit a spark in her for pretend prairie play. She spent many days wearing a bonnet and eating her weight in homemade molasses candy. By her fifth birthday, she and I were reading the original chapter books, and she requested to have a Little House on the Prairie-themed party to introduce Laura to her real-life friends.
Eventually, my daughter and I came to the end of the series, and while we could have reread any and all of them, we decided to seek out other books with similar 19th-century, pioneering themes.
If you, too, have a Little House fan who has exhausted every title in the series, here is a list of books that might continue their reading pleasure.
Fan Fiction
The following are collections of fan fiction books written by modern-day authors that tell the stories of the women who came before and after Laura in her family line.
The Charlotte Years (Books 1-4) The bustling city of Boston is home to Charlotte Tucker, Laura's grandmother, who must face the hardships of the War of 1812.
The Caroline Years (Books 1-7) Brookfield, Wisconsin, is home to a young Caroline Quiner who slowly matures through the series and eventually meets a handsome fiddle-playing neighbor named Charles Ingalls.
The Rose Years (Books 1-5) Rose Wilder is the often tenacious, only daughter of Almanzo and Laura Wilder. She travels the country, experiences much national change, and learns to stand on her own two feet.
Old Town in the Green Groves- Find out what happened to Laura in the two missing years between On the Banks of Plum Creek and By the Shores of Silver Lake.
Book Series
The following are books in a series written by authors with a similar writing style to that of Ms. Wilder, featuring pioneer and turn-of-the-century themes that are characteristic of her Little House books.
Tales from Maple Ridge (Books 1-6) When times get tough, Logan's dad must find a way to make up for his lost farm income. He takes a short-term position stocking inventory at the general store and invites young Logan to join him. When Dad steps away, Logan decides not to wait for instructions but instead forges ahead on his own. He makes a big mistake and learns a valuable lesson in obedience. This is the first of a six-part series about Logan Pryce, a 19th-century farm boy growing up in Maple Ridge, Illinois. With an illustration on every page, each book is perfect for developing readers.
Sarah, Plain and Tall (Books 1-5) After answering an advertisement, Sarah leaves her home in Maine, heads to the prairie, and becomes wife and mother to a family desperately in need of a woman's care. But prairie life isn't what she expected. (Sarah, Plain and Tall is my most favorite middle-grade fiction book of all time! After you read the book, watch the movie.)
In Grandma's Attic (Books 1-4) Keepsakes and memorabilia spark conversations between a young girl and her grandmother. The entire series has grandma reminiscing about days gone by.
Fairchild Family Story (Books 1-4) Follow the lives of the Fairchild family and the simple misadventures of childhood at the turn of the century.
Turkey Red (Books 1-2) Can a newly immigrated Mennonite family from Russia survive the harsh and lonely conditions of the prairie?
Individual Titles
The following are stand-alone titles that were written by authors who have a similar writing style to that of Ms. Wilder and that have the pioneer and turn-of-the-century themes that her Little House books are known for.
Cora Frear- Usually, Cora loves riding with her father to visit his patients across the prairie lands of Iowa. She helps him by administering medicine during surgeries, caring for little ones while mothers deliver babies, and comforting those who are sick. But one day, on their way to see a feverish infant, the pair get trapped by a fire that engulfs the grasses around them. They must keep their horses calm and create a fire break so the flames go around their wagon, not through it. Naturally, Cora fears for their safety. But as Pa's assistant, she must be brave.
The Lumber Camp Library- A lumber camp is no place for a growing girl. So, 8-year-old Ruby is sent to school. While there, she learns to love books.
Looking for more lists like this?
Once a month I email a book list to the members of the Biblio-files community. Every title on the list has been personally read and vetted by me and has been compiled by age range in order to help you navigate the library with your kids. In addition, I also include a few books that you should be aware of--books that contain explicit language, sexual agenda, graphic violence, etc. so that you can make an educated decision when/if your kids should ever be interested in reading any of them. What's more, members are invited to join me in a private Facebook group where we help each other find just the right books for our kids. We'd love to have you join us!
Oh! I got so discouraged at first because we've already read almost all of these books, but then I found one we haven't--Turkey Red. Thanks for the lead. :) I'm putting a hold on this one at our library immediately.
ReplyDeleteIt's a very simple story. I've not read the sequel, but I'm assuming it's very similar.
DeleteI love this post. My daughter is a HUGE Laura fan. Thanks for all these good recommendations! Putting some of these she hasn't read on hold at the library now!
ReplyDeleteYeah! Happy reading. You'll have to let me know which ones you end up liking most.
DeleteShe is flying through these books. Cabin Faced West and In Grandma's Attic are a few of her faves on this list. Lumber Camp Library and The Caroline Years are now new favorites. Great summer reading!
DeleteHave you read In Care of the Conductor?
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely list. We are only on The Banks of Plum Creek and already wondering what to read when the series is done. Now we know! Thank you kindly.
ReplyDeleteSo glad it was helpful for you. Happy reading!
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