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Little House: The Caroline Years #5
Across the Rolling River
The Little House books have captivated millions of readers with their story of Laura Ingalls, a little pioneer girl growing up on the American frontier. Now travel back to the generation before Laura's and read the story of Caroline Quiner, the little girl who would grow up to be Ma Ingalls in the beloved Little House books. The little town of Concord, Wisconsin, is bustling with new settlers from the East. Caroline is now eleven years old, and she can't wait to go to the town's new school. Her days are full with classes, chores, and harvesttime. Wisconsin has its very first state fair, and Caroline becomes friends with a fiddle-playing boy from accross the river, a boy named Charles Ingalls. "Across The Rolling River is the fifth book in the Caroline Years, an ongoing series about the adventures of another girl from America's favorite pioneer family.
160 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
June 23, 2021
Next up in "Melody Checked out Too Many Books* from the Library and Races to Read Them before Returning," Across the Rolling River marks the switch in authors in the Caroline series. Caroline is growing up now, and she meets Charles Ingalls for the first time. We see her start to dream of becoming a school teacher, and her personality starts to look more and more like Ma's. I loved the descriptions of the state fair, and discussions of the wider world, including the gold rush, bloomers, and women holding property. As a kid, I think I assumed these books took place closer to where Little House in the Big Woods occurs. With a better grasp of Wisconsin geography, I'm realizing it's all very near my hometown, and I recognized many of the cities, even seeing my hometown mentioned twice. I love it when my travels or inhabitances connect with my reading!
*There is no such thing as too many books, except when deadlines (or due dates) loom. Even though my local library system is fine-free, I am a stickler for rules because I'm just uncool that way, as I'm sure Caroline herself would be.
*There is no such thing as too many books, except when deadlines (or due dates) loom. Even though my local library system is fine-free, I am a stickler for rules because I'm just uncool that way, as I'm sure Caroline herself would be.
March 6, 2013
* originally posted at http://rachaelc94.blogspot.com/2013/0...*
The Caroline Series is odd in the fact that it switches authors midway through the series. Maria D. Wilkes is the author of the first four books and Celia Wilkins is the author of the last three. After reading several books by Maria D. Wilkes I was used to her writing style. When I started Across the Rolling River I wasn't sure I was going to live Celia Wilkins writing style. Since these are children's books and are made for a younger audience I try to think like they would if they were reading this book because I know I'm way older than the targeted audience. At the beginning of this I just thought the author was way over descriptive, explaining things that didn't need to be explained, and dumbing down the reading experience. As the book progressed I noticed the descriptive writing less and less. For that I was grateful. This book did not hold my attention as much as the last one did. The author begins the book with Charles Ingalls and Caroline Quiner meeting. You will probably never hear me say this, but I hope the author got their meeting wrong. I hated the way they met. I hope they met at church or somewhere else besides where they met in the book. Then the book moves on to talk about Miss May coming to live with the Quiner family. Miss May is their teacher. I enjoyed those parts because I liked Miss May's personality. Martha finally becomes a better character because she was finally growing up and I can see her getting married in the next novel. From my previous review of On Top of Concord Hill we know that Martha marries Charles Carpenter which is talked about often in the novel because his family was neighbors with the Quiner's when they lived in Brookfield. I don't know if that is all true. There is a possibility that Martha and Charles could have met at an older age, but it does make more sense for them to have a past relationship before they eventually get married. Caroline's other siblings kind of faded into the background in this book. There is Joseph, Henry, Eliza, and Thomas. Although their names were mentioned from time to time they weren't really doing anything. Caroline was twelve years old in this book and as always is the main character of the story and she was as curious and helpful as ever. Overall I liked this book, but had a few things I didn't like about it. I still thinking learning about Caroline Quiner's life is really interesting and I will be reading the 6th book Little City by The Lake soon.
The Caroline Series is odd in the fact that it switches authors midway through the series. Maria D. Wilkes is the author of the first four books and Celia Wilkins is the author of the last three. After reading several books by Maria D. Wilkes I was used to her writing style. When I started Across the Rolling River I wasn't sure I was going to live Celia Wilkins writing style. Since these are children's books and are made for a younger audience I try to think like they would if they were reading this book because I know I'm way older than the targeted audience. At the beginning of this I just thought the author was way over descriptive, explaining things that didn't need to be explained, and dumbing down the reading experience. As the book progressed I noticed the descriptive writing less and less. For that I was grateful. This book did not hold my attention as much as the last one did. The author begins the book with Charles Ingalls and Caroline Quiner meeting. You will probably never hear me say this, but I hope the author got their meeting wrong. I hated the way they met. I hope they met at church or somewhere else besides where they met in the book. Then the book moves on to talk about Miss May coming to live with the Quiner family. Miss May is their teacher. I enjoyed those parts because I liked Miss May's personality. Martha finally becomes a better character because she was finally growing up and I can see her getting married in the next novel. From my previous review of On Top of Concord Hill we know that Martha marries Charles Carpenter which is talked about often in the novel because his family was neighbors with the Quiner's when they lived in Brookfield. I don't know if that is all true. There is a possibility that Martha and Charles could have met at an older age, but it does make more sense for them to have a past relationship before they eventually get married. Caroline's other siblings kind of faded into the background in this book. There is Joseph, Henry, Eliza, and Thomas. Although their names were mentioned from time to time they weren't really doing anything. Caroline was twelve years old in this book and as always is the main character of the story and she was as curious and helpful as ever. Overall I liked this book, but had a few things I didn't like about it. I still thinking learning about Caroline Quiner's life is really interesting and I will be reading the 6th book Little City by The Lake soon.
May 11, 2024
4.5 stars! I think this has been my favorite in the Caroline Years series so far. The author did change from the previous books and I felt like this new author had more of an authentic, true to Laura voice! Also this is the book where Charlie Ingalls is introduced so my feelings could be jaded because of that!
July 4, 2019
Oh my gracious!!! These books are SO GOOD!!!!!!!! I teared up at the end because I feel so deeply connected to these characters. The conversation at the end between Charlie Ingalls & Caroline Wilder is so precious to read knowing that they would travel west together & pioneer far from this sweet place they presently called home. All the praise hands. These books are every!single!bit! as delightful as Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House series!!!
We just so happened to read By the Great Horn Spoon at the same time we read this book. They tie together so well!!
We just so happened to read By the Great Horn Spoon at the same time we read this book. They tie together so well!!
September 26, 2015
WE GOT TO MEET CHARLES INGALLS. *squeaks* Ahem. I think it was nice to see how he might have been as a kid. Going by Charlie and all. Playing fiddle. Wanting to travel.
Wisconsin had it's first state fair. It was really cool to read about all the things that were there. Man. There wasn't a single chocolate coated food on a stick. I thought it was interesting, especially seeing the setting up for a photo. Definitely makes sense as to why those folks look so grim and didn't do candids. Sitting still for five whole minutes? The dead sit still the best for those. Ha. Guess that's why photographers made it their business to shoot dead people.
We met Aunt Docia, but of course, she's not Aunt Docia yet, she's a little shaver. Six. I'll figure out sooner or later which one Aunt Docia is, but I *think* she might be the one from The Shores of Silver Lake. Otherwise she's from Little House in the Big Woods. Of course, being that there are only two books with relatives (that I recall) it's such a big thing to narrow it down to those two.
We fastforwarded a bit prior to the beginning. I think it went from 1849 to 1851. Caroline is twelve. Well, eleven going on twelve.
I really liked this one. The tidbits of history. THE WISCONSIN HISTORY. I do appreciate books that take place in my home state, particularly in the country. It's such a nice change from the big cities. I'm glad Celia Wilkins took us to the first State Fair. I've lived here my whole life and never went to the State Fair. Only one of the local county fairs. The only county fair I've ever gone to is one of the largest in the state, even though it doesn't get good bands for the grandstand. I can just imagine what it was like as a baby fair.
Wisconsin had it's first state fair. It was really cool to read about all the things that were there. Man. There wasn't a single chocolate coated food on a stick. I thought it was interesting, especially seeing the setting up for a photo. Definitely makes sense as to why those folks look so grim and didn't do candids. Sitting still for five whole minutes? The dead sit still the best for those. Ha. Guess that's why photographers made it their business to shoot dead people.
We met Aunt Docia, but of course, she's not Aunt Docia yet, she's a little shaver. Six. I'll figure out sooner or later which one Aunt Docia is, but I *think* she might be the one from The Shores of Silver Lake. Otherwise she's from Little House in the Big Woods. Of course, being that there are only two books with relatives (that I recall) it's such a big thing to narrow it down to those two.
We fastforwarded a bit prior to the beginning. I think it went from 1849 to 1851. Caroline is twelve. Well, eleven going on twelve.
I really liked this one. The tidbits of history. THE WISCONSIN HISTORY. I do appreciate books that take place in my home state, particularly in the country. It's such a nice change from the big cities. I'm glad Celia Wilkins took us to the first State Fair. I've lived here my whole life and never went to the State Fair. Only one of the local county fairs. The only county fair I've ever gone to is one of the largest in the state, even though it doesn't get good bands for the grandstand. I can just imagine what it was like as a baby fair.
October 22, 2017
When the book begins, it's 1851 and Caroline is 11 years old. Her 12th birthday does take place here.
School has been opened but a new schoolteacher is coming - Miss May. And, as per board policy (and in all honesty, it's pretty awesome to see that school boards were established even in rural - nix that, farmland - areas in the 1850s), a family has to board the teacher. For the fall/winter term, the Quiners board Miss May.
And they are all too happy to have someone replace the nasty one from the spring term.
The Ingalls have moved from New York (then Illinois) to across the river from the Quiners. It makes me smile to know Caroline and Charles met at such a young age and that they were able to establish a playful friendship first. It makes me grin.
What is neat is that Miss May is also from NY - Albany to be exact. Caroline thinks of her as a "modern woman" for crossing the Erie canal and then additional states before settling for a stint in Wisconsin all by herself. Where a teacher is needed, she will go.
What I like is the reminder that Caroline's own mother is "modern" as well, for there were many states at that time in which a woman was unable to purchase her own property as Charlotte did.
Miss May brings about a unique contrast between city and farm life, one that again is tough for me to get my head around seeing as it's the 1850s. In Albany, she didn't worry about making much because most supplies were able to be purchased. She doesn't like sewing and knows about sewing machines and safety pins. She's aware of the slavery issues and even brings along Frederick Douglas' book (which I definitely didn't remember was from 1851; I just remember hating how boring and dry it was). She also talks about surprise visiting during the winter months.
It also jarred me to have her say her grandfather was a schoolmaster in England but three seconds later I felt a bit stupid. Of COURSE her relatives are from overseas!
Then I'm amazed at how students made their own notebooks, and how they compared to store-bought ones.
I also like Caroline's growth, particularly as puberty begins to hit. She understands Martha more, has different perspectives about the world around her...and the cover art has shown this growth as well, elongating her features and all.
One of the townswomen, Mrs. Spivey, is not the kindest person. She is unwelcoming, judgmental, and arrogantly stubborn.
Miss May handles her well. It's perfect!
I like the idea that each family was required to bring a stack of firewood for each child attending the schoolhouse per term.
The first Wisconsin State Fair takes place and there is talk of plank roads, but I don't remember them being popular even in the regular Laura Ingalls Wilder books.
I LOVE the idea of a one-time payment for all-you-can-eat supper!
Charlie Carpenter and Martha are beautiful together and make me giddy.
Caroline thinks that adults must be sad that they can't play in the snow.
As an adult, I hate the snow a lot more than when I was a child. I tolerate the cold less now and just find it less fun. *laughs*
It's a bit odd, IMO, that Miss May opts to go around the horn instead of across the land when going to join her brother in CA.
School has been opened but a new schoolteacher is coming - Miss May. And, as per board policy (and in all honesty, it's pretty awesome to see that school boards were established even in rural - nix that, farmland - areas in the 1850s), a family has to board the teacher. For the fall/winter term, the Quiners board Miss May.
And they are all too happy to have someone replace the nasty one from the spring term.
The Ingalls have moved from New York (then Illinois) to across the river from the Quiners. It makes me smile to know Caroline and Charles met at such a young age and that they were able to establish a playful friendship first. It makes me grin.
What is neat is that Miss May is also from NY - Albany to be exact. Caroline thinks of her as a "modern woman" for crossing the Erie canal and then additional states before settling for a stint in Wisconsin all by herself. Where a teacher is needed, she will go.
What I like is the reminder that Caroline's own mother is "modern" as well, for there were many states at that time in which a woman was unable to purchase her own property as Charlotte did.
Miss May brings about a unique contrast between city and farm life, one that again is tough for me to get my head around seeing as it's the 1850s. In Albany, she didn't worry about making much because most supplies were able to be purchased. She doesn't like sewing and knows about sewing machines and safety pins. She's aware of the slavery issues and even brings along Frederick Douglas' book (which I definitely didn't remember was from 1851; I just remember hating how boring and dry it was). She also talks about surprise visiting during the winter months.
It also jarred me to have her say her grandfather was a schoolmaster in England but three seconds later I felt a bit stupid. Of COURSE her relatives are from overseas!
Then I'm amazed at how students made their own notebooks, and how they compared to store-bought ones.
I also like Caroline's growth, particularly as puberty begins to hit. She understands Martha more, has different perspectives about the world around her...and the cover art has shown this growth as well, elongating her features and all.
One of the townswomen, Mrs. Spivey, is not the kindest person. She is unwelcoming, judgmental, and arrogantly stubborn.
Miss May handles her well. It's perfect!
I like the idea that each family was required to bring a stack of firewood for each child attending the schoolhouse per term.
The first Wisconsin State Fair takes place and there is talk of plank roads, but I don't remember them being popular even in the regular Laura Ingalls Wilder books.
I LOVE the idea of a one-time payment for all-you-can-eat supper!
Charlie Carpenter and Martha are beautiful together and make me giddy.
Caroline thinks that adults must be sad that they can't play in the snow.
As an adult, I hate the snow a lot more than when I was a child. I tolerate the cold less now and just find it less fun. *laughs*
It's a bit odd, IMO, that Miss May opts to go around the horn instead of across the land when going to join her brother in CA.
May 31, 2018
This is the fifth book in the Caroline series of Little House books, sticking to the same formula as the previous ones, but a sudden and unexplained change of author occurs.
The earlier books were written by Maria D Wilkes, and this one and the last two are written by Celia Wilkins - similar names. I can’t figure out any particular reason why the authors suddenly change - as the story remains the same and is sticking to the same formula. Perhaps because the characters are now growing slightly older? Even then, Caroline is 11-12, and nothing much else has changed.
We finally get introduced to “Charlie” Ingalls in this book, who appears at the beginning with his fiddle in the woods, near Caroline’s home and appears intermittently throughout the rest of the book. If you’re a lover of the original books/TV show, then you know where this is going, and why I’ve been clamouring for him to appear for the last couple of books. He comes across as quite the cute new neighbour, with a devilish twinkle in his eye, beating Caroline at the School Spell Down (or spelling bee, as it’s more commonly known now.) He has a host of siblings, none of whom I remembered from the TV/books, and is not quite the shy boy who wouldn’t dare ask to court Caroline, as has been described.
Again, apart from the Charlie introduction, there’s not much happening again in this book. You have the arrival of a new teacher, who boards with Caroline’s family (can you imagine), another harvest, another heavy snow, and the state fair. There are no further children, despite the previous remarriage of Caroline’s mother, which I have been surprised about.
This seems to be the padding between events - the marriage and illness of the previous book, and Caroline training to become a teacher/marrying Charlie/Charles in the next books. Apart from him, I don’t really think this book is up to much and can be read fairly quickly.
I think the next two books (again written by Celia Wilkins, if my memory serves me correctly) will be the best of the lot, since this will bring us (hopefully) up to Little House In The Big Woods, and May have a slightly more adult feel to them. Much like my favourite Little House original books were the later ones (These Happy Golden Years).
I would also recommend Caroline by Sarah Miller, which appears to be the beginning of Little House, but told from Caroline’s point of view. I will be reading that after I have finished this series, and hopefully it will be just as good.
The earlier books were written by Maria D Wilkes, and this one and the last two are written by Celia Wilkins - similar names. I can’t figure out any particular reason why the authors suddenly change - as the story remains the same and is sticking to the same formula. Perhaps because the characters are now growing slightly older? Even then, Caroline is 11-12, and nothing much else has changed.
We finally get introduced to “Charlie” Ingalls in this book, who appears at the beginning with his fiddle in the woods, near Caroline’s home and appears intermittently throughout the rest of the book. If you’re a lover of the original books/TV show, then you know where this is going, and why I’ve been clamouring for him to appear for the last couple of books. He comes across as quite the cute new neighbour, with a devilish twinkle in his eye, beating Caroline at the School Spell Down (or spelling bee, as it’s more commonly known now.) He has a host of siblings, none of whom I remembered from the TV/books, and is not quite the shy boy who wouldn’t dare ask to court Caroline, as has been described.
Again, apart from the Charlie introduction, there’s not much happening again in this book. You have the arrival of a new teacher, who boards with Caroline’s family (can you imagine), another harvest, another heavy snow, and the state fair. There are no further children, despite the previous remarriage of Caroline’s mother, which I have been surprised about.
This seems to be the padding between events - the marriage and illness of the previous book, and Caroline training to become a teacher/marrying Charlie/Charles in the next books. Apart from him, I don’t really think this book is up to much and can be read fairly quickly.
I think the next two books (again written by Celia Wilkins, if my memory serves me correctly) will be the best of the lot, since this will bring us (hopefully) up to Little House In The Big Woods, and May have a slightly more adult feel to them. Much like my favourite Little House original books were the later ones (These Happy Golden Years).
I would also recommend Caroline by Sarah Miller, which appears to be the beginning of Little House, but told from Caroline’s point of view. I will be reading that after I have finished this series, and hopefully it will be just as good.
January 2, 2021
This is the fifth book in the Little House books Caroline series. As with the others this fifth book was better than the first due to already knowing the characters and being able to just enjoy the storyline and being 'there in the moment' with them. A simple but heartwarming easy read, perfect to help drift your mind into another time and place before you have to go to bed. Love these books!
In this book Caroline is a little older so this story does have a bit more 'story' to it. The school teacher comes and boards with them and through her gentle teachings that Caroline realizes the importance of school work and what teaching children. And thus wants to be a school teacher herself one day. Also in this book we (reader) is introduced to the Ingalls family. Charlie and his fiddle are introduced to Caroline and her brother in the woods as he is practicing his music. Then later on the two families, since they are the closest neighbors have fun times together.
When I saw where the later books in the Caroline series was written by a different author than the first few books I was dreading reading them since I had gotten to know the way the first author writes etc. But if you didn't pay attention you would never know a different one wrote these. It was wonderfully done!
In this book Caroline is a little older so this story does have a bit more 'story' to it. The school teacher comes and boards with them and through her gentle teachings that Caroline realizes the importance of school work and what teaching children. And thus wants to be a school teacher herself one day. Also in this book we (reader) is introduced to the Ingalls family. Charlie and his fiddle are introduced to Caroline and her brother in the woods as he is practicing his music. Then later on the two families, since they are the closest neighbors have fun times together.
When I saw where the later books in the Caroline series was written by a different author than the first few books I was dreading reading them since I had gotten to know the way the first author writes etc. But if you didn't pay attention you would never know a different one wrote these. It was wonderfully done!
December 12, 2021
Of the books in the Little House series focussing on Caroline, Laura Ingalls Wilder's mother, this book was my white whale. I was never able to find a copy in the book store nor did my local library have it. It wasn't until I stumbled across a copy of this by sheer luck that I FINALLY managed to read it.
And it's just ok. I don't have the benefit of nostalgia, but this book seriously felt like filler. There isn't much plot but a series of vignettes, small moments in one ordinary life. I suppose the two major plot points are the Ingalls family moving nearby and the arrival of Ms. May, who proves to be a foundational teacher for Caroline.
It's cute but not very memorable.
And it's just ok. I don't have the benefit of nostalgia, but this book seriously felt like filler. There isn't much plot but a series of vignettes, small moments in one ordinary life. I suppose the two major plot points are the Ingalls family moving nearby and the arrival of Ms. May, who proves to be a foundational teacher for Caroline.
It's cute but not very memorable.
August 1, 2024
As I near the end of The Caroline Years, each book becomes more and more memorable. Although this book may have been by a different author, they still did a wonderful job capturing young Caroline's story. Getting to meet Pa finally (referred to as Charlie in the book) made me realize how close both families, the Ingalls and the Quiners, were and how they were both similar. I recommend this book to anyone interested in Caroline and Charles Ingalls as children and anyone who cherishes the Little House series.
January 23, 2018
I read this book aloud to my kids ( 8, 6, 4) . Was probably our favorite in this series so far. Ingalls family moved in across the river.
They also have a super cute teacher that is a great character!
They also have a super cute teacher that is a great character!
August 20, 2019
None of the other "Little House Years" books are as good as the ones about Laura but other then the Laura books I prefer the Martha and Charlotte books. I don't enjoy the Caroline books as much because they are a bit uneven for me with some in the series being really good and others lacking.
December 2, 2020
My favourite Little House book of all time, thus far. This book is unbelievably cute. The Quiner family boards the teacher of the new Concord school, Miss May. Caroline immediately is inspired by Miss May - the best teacher she has ever had - to become a teacher one day herself. The Ingalls family settles next door to the Quiner family in Concord. Caroline encounters the man she will one day marry, Charlie Ingalls, for the first time in the forest where he is playing his fiddle. The families become great friends. Caroline and her sisters become good friends with the Ingalls’ girls and the Quiner boys become friends with Charlie and his brothers. The children of both families attend their own small winter school together and play together. Charlie remains to be the only individual capable of spelling down Caroline. My favourite scene during this book is when an impromptu dance is held at the Ingalls’ home during visiting time in the winter. I very much hope that this book is relatively truthful in terms of how Caroline and Charles met. Otherwise I would be very sad!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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March 22, 2024I really enjoyed the reimagining in this story and preferred Celia Wilkins' writing style over Maria Wilkes' style (Caroline Years 1-4). However, my biggest qualm/confusion was the spelling of Charles Ingalls's nickname. I had always seen it spelt "Charley" never "Charlie."
July 11, 2025
I remember loving this book when I read it as a kid, but it was just okay this time around as an adult. This was definitely more cheerful and uplifting than the other Caroline books so far, and it was a fun introduction to Charlie Ingalls, but it was still just kinda boring.
June 29, 2017
Aww, Ma Ingalls as a sweet youngster in school and living in the woods with her family. And meeting future Pa, and his sisters! Love!
October 15, 2017
Nicely written and best read in order, the series about Caroline's childhood continues. Understanding her childhood gives more meaning to her character as Laura's mother in the Little House books.
March 27, 2019
She has brown braided hair
She is a morning girl
She has string principles and rules
She is a lucky girl
She is caroline.
She is a morning girl
She has string principles and rules
She is a lucky girl
She is caroline.
October 15, 2021
I love reading these books!
February 5, 2023
Childhood favorite, I remember devouring these in the 5th grade, I still reread them. Lowkey enjoyed Caroline's years the most.
August 31, 2023
More interesting than the first few books of the series, we really start to see 'Ma' emerging in this one.
Want to read
July 31, 2025SM
March 5, 2024
3.5 ★ - (liked it)
December 26, 2024
This took me a month to read because I was distracted by ARCs and my gosh darn horseshoe kidney. Across the Rolling River was a very sweet addition to the Little House Legacy. It was lovely to be back with Caroline after the very dull books stuck with Charlotte. This book was particularly sweet because it featured the introduction of future Prairie Patriarch, Charles Ingalls. He was a lovely young lad who played his fiddle in the forest. I loved the dynamic of the Quiners and how they've made a happy home despite their setbacks. My favorite part was when they visited the state fair and submitted their items for blue ribbons. It felt very authentic that Caroline was jealous of her sister's prize and acknowledged that her own entry wasn't up to par with the others. Unfortunately I've hit the end of the road with this series. These books are out of publication and very hard to find without spending a pretty penny. Hopefully I'll find more in the future and get lucky like when I found that huge collection at Goodwill all those years ago. Thanks for looking out, universe. This prairie rose will always be thankful for that blessed score!
August 13, 2019
Perhaps it’s because I read them too far apart, or the author tried very hard to make a smooth transition, but I couldn’t really tell that a different author had written Across the Rolling River. There were a few things that felt slightly off, but not enough for me to really be jarred by the change in style.
Across the Rolling River introduces Charles Ingalls and his family to the series, and young Charlie is just as boisterous and expressive as Pa Ingalls from the Little House books. It also shows us his family, who end up so close to the Quiner family (there are three Quiner/Ingalls marriages in total: Caroline, Henry, and Eliza marry Charles, Polly, and Peter respectively). Also appearing in this book are Mr. Carpenter and his son Charlie (who marries Martha eventually), who haven’t appeared since the third book, Little Clearing in the Woods.
This book really is starting to accelerate Caroline’s development and love of learning. We see her desire to be a schoolteacher, with the influence of her teacher, Miss May, as well as her budding attraction to Charles Ingalls (though she’s only 12 in this book). We also see the pearl-handled pen of the Little House books, as this book details how Caroline came to get it.
I didn’t feel this book was as exciting or interesting as On Top of Concord Hill, but I liked the introduction of the Ingalls family as well as the exploration of Caroline’s desires and wishes. The author switch seemed smooth, which can be hard to accomplish even for a children’s book. All in all, not my favorite Caroline book, but one that sets up a lot of things for the next two books.
Across the Rolling River introduces Charles Ingalls and his family to the series, and young Charlie is just as boisterous and expressive as Pa Ingalls from the Little House books. It also shows us his family, who end up so close to the Quiner family (there are three Quiner/Ingalls marriages in total: Caroline, Henry, and Eliza marry Charles, Polly, and Peter respectively). Also appearing in this book are Mr. Carpenter and his son Charlie (who marries Martha eventually), who haven’t appeared since the third book, Little Clearing in the Woods.
This book really is starting to accelerate Caroline’s development and love of learning. We see her desire to be a schoolteacher, with the influence of her teacher, Miss May, as well as her budding attraction to Charles Ingalls (though she’s only 12 in this book). We also see the pearl-handled pen of the Little House books, as this book details how Caroline came to get it.
I didn’t feel this book was as exciting or interesting as On Top of Concord Hill, but I liked the introduction of the Ingalls family as well as the exploration of Caroline’s desires and wishes. The author switch seemed smooth, which can be hard to accomplish even for a children’s book. All in all, not my favorite Caroline book, but one that sets up a lot of things for the next two books.
April 10, 2012
The continuation of the tale of Laura Ingalls' mother, Caroline Quiner, as a child. At this point, the family is living in the Big Woods of Wisconsin, near the tiny village of Concord, and Caroline's new 'Pa' has built them a frame house. Everything is going well, they are boarding the new school teacher, Miss May, who is wonderful, and they have many new neighbors--including a fiddle-playing boy named Charles Ingalls.
This was a fun entry in the series--very little strife and no tragedy, for once; just happy, busy family life, with an exciting visit to the state fair. Lots of descriptions of life at the time, though the author doesn't go into the exact detail that Laura did when, for example, she described how to smoke meat or make bullets. I kind of like that detail, and it was present in the Charlotte and Martha books, so maybe this author just doesn't like the style as much. Still, a light and enjoyable read.
This was a fun entry in the series--very little strife and no tragedy, for once; just happy, busy family life, with an exciting visit to the state fair. Lots of descriptions of life at the time, though the author doesn't go into the exact detail that Laura did when, for example, she described how to smoke meat or make bullets. I kind of like that detail, and it was present in the Charlotte and Martha books, so maybe this author just doesn't like the style as much. Still, a light and enjoyable read.
September 18, 2023
Hi Charles! The Caroline books are sweet as sugarcane and, though they could certainly stand to be longer, I loved this one where Caroline is finding herself as she grows through those awkward years.
November 24, 2015
Okay, for several reasons, I only planned to give this book four stars, but certain lines won me over! Also, the fact that Caroline's spelling is highlighted in this book is awesome because that is so me! But first, the issues: 1) the new author was a little bit jarring. She wasn't that different I guess, but it's still a new author. 2) Why do they skip so many years between books? I guess it was to help the new author not be so noticeable, but still! Charlie completely won my heart! And he's actually not in the book a lot! Just little things he said and did and how he made Caroline giggle! I ship them soo hard, not as hard as Martha and Lew, but hard! I recognized a few Ingalls names from Little House in the Big Woods too! This was a sweet book, like the others in this series, and I can't wait to see Laura and Charlie's relationship develop more!
September 5, 2011
I love the Caroline Years. But I don't think that Celia Wilkins wrote the books as well as Maria D. Wilkes. I've always wondered why Maria didn't continue with them on her own. The book was still fun with Miss May as the teacher that Caroline becomes very close too,the excitement of the family going to the state fair,and also with the meeting of the Ingalls family as their neighbors. Caroline finally meets Charles. She hasn't yet started to really like him in this book. So I'm looking forward to re-reading the next book where Caroline goes to school in Milwaukee and has more fun and sees Charles again. That's a book that Celia got right!!!
October 8, 2012
What ages would I recommend it too? – Eight and up.
Length? – A couple day’s read.
Characters? – Memorable, several characters.
Setting? – Real world Wisconsin 1851 - 1852.
Written approximately? – 2001.
Does the story leave questions in the readers mind? – Ready for the next novel in the Caroline years, as well as ready to read about her mother and grandmother.
Any issues the author (or a more recent publisher) should cover? No.
Short storyline: Caroline, at age 11 finds both her true loves - her future husband, and education.
Notes for the reader: An enjoyable novel that will keep you looking for more.
Length? – A couple day’s read.
Characters? – Memorable, several characters.
Setting? – Real world Wisconsin 1851 - 1852.
Written approximately? – 2001.
Does the story leave questions in the readers mind? – Ready for the next novel in the Caroline years, as well as ready to read about her mother and grandmother.
Any issues the author (or a more recent publisher) should cover? No.
Short storyline: Caroline, at age 11 finds both her true loves - her future husband, and education.
Notes for the reader: An enjoyable novel that will keep you looking for more.
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