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Laura Ingalls Wilder: Young Pioneer
One of the most popular series ever published for young Americans, these classics have been praised alike by parents, teachers, and librarians. With these lively, inspiring, fictionalized biographies -- easily read by children of eight and up -- today's youngster is swept right into history.
221 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2001
4 people are currently reading
387 people want to read
About the author
Beatrice Gormley
48 books30 followers Born in Glendale, California, Beatrice grew up in Southern California. After graduating from Pomona College, she worked in publishing near San Francisco. There she met and married Robert Gormley, and they moved to Massachusetts. They have two daughters.
Since age 9 Beatrice had wanted to become a writer. But it wasn't until after her children were born that she really focused on her writing. In 1981 her first book, Mail Order Wings,was published. Since then she's written many popular novels and biographies for young people. Her most recent books are Second Lives, a novel of humans and other animals, and the biography Joe Biden: Our 46th President.
Since age 9 Beatrice had wanted to become a writer. But it wasn't until after her children were born that she really focused on her writing. In 1981 her first book, Mail Order Wings,was published. Since then she's written many popular novels and biographies for young people. Her most recent books are Second Lives, a novel of humans and other animals, and the biography Joe Biden: Our 46th President.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 17, 2024
What a truly marvelous , even more background story behind her life and those "Little House" series of books! It was indeed her childhood story but some aspects changed and composed per say to help the flow of each book as such while still being a tremendous telling of the strength those pioneers faced during early settling. Laura herself was such a spunky, lively child who "called out", albeit respectfully, despicable adults and who even tackled bullies, as small as she was. The family's spiritual heritage and faith was evident as she wrote about their family Bible, favourite hymns, praying as her parents certainly instilled what they could into their girls while living it out through compassion, truth, and kindness :).The hardships and trials the settlers endured was remarkable. Other background was about how their precious toddler brother Freddie had died sadly...she hadn't included that it the books as so tragic.
The character Nellie Oleson was really based upon three rather unpleasant females she quite disliked as they weren't exactly kind nor friendly to Laura and her family. Laura was a woman after my own heart as she, like myself, (even back then in the 1800s when more uncommon to refuse) wouldn't say the word "obey" in her wedding vows ;) Love, honor, and cherish(no saying "man & wife" for me either but "husband & wife" as stipulations I made but anyway, enough venturing! ha)
The Ingalls were an admirable and certainly well loved family from history (and even on tv as many enjoyed the wholesome tv series adaption) as they all cared for and helped within the family unit. It was mentioned how when Pa Ingalls died, the whole town seemed to be his friend with how well he was cherished and respected. It was mentioned how his favourite hymn "In the Sweet Bye and Bye" was sung at his funeral in the church he helped to establish even.
Just reading these biographies of people who made such a difference is such a pleasure, for Laura definitely left a fine legacy with galores of readers (myself included!) who cherished this marvelous contribution to not only children's literature, but for any age really.
The character Nellie Oleson was really based upon three rather unpleasant females she quite disliked as they weren't exactly kind nor friendly to Laura and her family. Laura was a woman after my own heart as she, like myself, (even back then in the 1800s when more uncommon to refuse) wouldn't say the word "obey" in her wedding vows ;) Love, honor, and cherish(no saying "man & wife" for me either but "husband & wife" as stipulations I made but anyway, enough venturing! ha)
The Ingalls were an admirable and certainly well loved family from history (and even on tv as many enjoyed the wholesome tv series adaption) as they all cared for and helped within the family unit. It was mentioned how when Pa Ingalls died, the whole town seemed to be his friend with how well he was cherished and respected. It was mentioned how his favourite hymn "In the Sweet Bye and Bye" was sung at his funeral in the church he helped to establish even.
Just reading these biographies of people who made such a difference is such a pleasure, for Laura definitely left a fine legacy with galores of readers (myself included!) who cherished this marvelous contribution to not only children's literature, but for any age really.
April 19, 2023
I happened to find this book sitting on my shelf just after finishing the whole Little House series. So I thought I'd read through it. I'm so glad I did!
This book, although written for children, gave me great insight into the life Laura lived after the series ended and also the difference between Laura's actual life and the life she wrote about in Little House. And there were important differences, such as a baby brother that died in his first year, that was never talked about in her books, or the family that stayed with the Ingalls through the Long Winter. This book also explain that for the sake of simplicity and good writing there were multiple people condensed into characters, timelines shifted, things left out, or memories assumed by Laura that she got from other family members.
All in all, I love the addition insight into the Little House series and Laura's actual life. The author's closing thoughts are spot on:
"The story Laura told in her books was the story of her own family. But even more, it was the story of America. 'Running through all the stories, like a golden thread, is the same thought of the values of life,' Laura once described her books. These values were 'courage, self-reliance, independence, integrity, and helpfulness. Cheerfulness and humor were handmaids to courage.'
This is the way Americans are proud to think of themselves - this is the pioneer spirit at its best. Laura's vision of the American pioneer adventure continues to inspire readers and they treasure her for it."
This book, although written for children, gave me great insight into the life Laura lived after the series ended and also the difference between Laura's actual life and the life she wrote about in Little House. And there were important differences, such as a baby brother that died in his first year, that was never talked about in her books, or the family that stayed with the Ingalls through the Long Winter. This book also explain that for the sake of simplicity and good writing there were multiple people condensed into characters, timelines shifted, things left out, or memories assumed by Laura that she got from other family members.
All in all, I love the addition insight into the Little House series and Laura's actual life. The author's closing thoughts are spot on:
"The story Laura told in her books was the story of her own family. But even more, it was the story of America. 'Running through all the stories, like a golden thread, is the same thought of the values of life,' Laura once described her books. These values were 'courage, self-reliance, independence, integrity, and helpfulness. Cheerfulness and humor were handmaids to courage.'
This is the way Americans are proud to think of themselves - this is the pioneer spirit at its best. Laura's vision of the American pioneer adventure continues to inspire readers and they treasure her for it."
April 15, 2021
Grade Level: 4th-6th Genre: Historial Fiction
This is an interesting book since Laura wrote stories based on her life. The different stories were not mostly not real but they still gave insight in her life and how a child's life would have been in this era. The different stories mesh together really well.
This is an interesting book since Laura wrote stories based on her life. The different stories were not mostly not real but they still gave insight in her life and how a child's life would have been in this era. The different stories mesh together really well.
January 11, 2018
Wow. Laura was an amazing lady! I had no idea all the things that her family did and went through.
August 17, 2020
AR 5.8
June 8, 2021
A nice book but not as good as Laura’s own books.
June 29, 2021
I have read much about Laura, but this was just fantastic.
February 5, 2023
Did my 3rd grade book report on Laura. I had developed a love for the series very young.
May 31, 2023
A great alternative for those overwhelmed by the description in the Little House books but want an overview of the series.
August 3, 2021
Turtle: great! Wants to read again before returning to the library.
August 2021: Re-read. Turtle said: great!
August 2021: Re-read. Turtle said: great!
November 21, 2011
This biography of Laura Ingalls Wilder gives a solid overview of the writer's life, but sometimes resembles her own novels a bit too much. The language is simple and easy to read, much like the Little House books, and there are details in the biography that did not appear in the heavily revised stories written by Laura herself. However, the descriptions of Laura's early life mostly follow the plots of the stories, and the harsher realities are quickly glossed over, as they were in the original novels. The most interesting part of the biography is in the final chapters, where Laura's process of writing and revisiting her childhood are described, including the editing done by her daughter Rose. Recommended for young readers who have read the Little House books and aren't ready for an adult biography. Ages 7-12.
Tags: nonfiction, biography, Laura Ingalls Wilder, writers, frontier life, American West, intermediate school, history
Tags: nonfiction, biography, Laura Ingalls Wilder, writers, frontier life, American West, intermediate school, history
March 21, 2011
A biography for the 8-12 market. Decent but with a few inconsistancies with other biographies that made me wonder where the author sourced them - but I'm a complete Laura freak. Children who want to know a little more about Laura will enjoy this.
May 30, 2012
Actually a million stars!
March 15, 2014
I think this book is awesome! I've read every series of the books that Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote. It is the best!!!
November 12, 2014
I liked it. When she was writing the Laura series, she left out some parts cause she didn't think they'd be good.
Want to Read
January 18, 2016I think that the whole series are awesome.
May 26, 2015
I liked it.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews