Beyond the Heather Hills

Little House: The Martha Years #4

by Melissa Wiley, Renée Graef (Illustrator)

In this fourth book in the Martha Years series, ten-year-old Martha journeys to the bustling city of Perth to visit her newly married sister Grisie.

This is Martha′s first time beyond the familiar heather hills and this city on the River Tay is more exciting than she could have ever imagined!

Ages 8-12

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Middle Grade, Childrens, Classics, Historical, Scotland

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Melissa Wiley is the author of The Nerviest Girl in the World, The Prairie Thief, Fox and Crow Are Not Friends, the Inch and Roly series, the Martha and Charlotte Little House books, and other books for kids. Melissa has been blogging about her family’s reading life and tidal homeschooling adventures at Here in the Bonny Glen since 2005. She is @melissawiley on Twitter and @melissawileybooks on Instagram.

Reviews

[Rea K · Rating 4 out of 5]

This makes me so sad. It's the final book in the Martha series. :'( No more Martha until we meet her again as Martha Tucker. THAT REALLY IRRITATES ME. I want to see how Martha Morse, THE LAIRD'S DAUGHTER, ends up married to Lewis Tucker, THE BLACKSMITH'S SON. WHICH SPITS IN THE EYE OF ALL BUT ONE MOMENT IN THE ENTIRE SERIES. Seriously. There was only one story in the entire series where the laird's daughter married the blacksmith's son. Yeah. That was in the second book. Auld Mary, you sly dog. You knew. You totally knew. :P But really, I want to know, so I must read all of the Charlotte ones and pick up on clues thrown in.
To be honest, I'm not sure how accurate this is to events historically. Doctor, when you come to take me along in the TARDIS, we are going to Scotland and being creepers and spying on Martha Morse. The most interesting tidbit of her entire history isn't even talked about here. Come on! Tell us how the blacksmith's son and the laird's daughter married and ended up in Boston!
*coughs* Of course, the cutest moment where I decided that Lew Tucker is the sweetest, dearest boy that every bloke ought to strive to be was towards the end of the book when he goes out of his way to help Martha out and it made me smile so much. I mean, he gave her his own knife. Love right there. However, the way that Melissa Wiley puts Lew Tucker and Martha Morse close together makes me wonder how accurate this is. But, I still ship it. So darn cute.

Excuse me, I must toddle off to google and find out all I can about these people and Glencaraid.

*THROWS BOOT AT MELISSA WILEY* YOU MADE UP GLENCARAID? YOU MADE IT UP? *SCREAMS* HOW DARE YOU! *scowls* Life ruined. Heart broken. But, it DOES appear that Lew and Martha may have eloped to Boston. Muy interesante.
http://melissawiley.com/faq/

Okay. After some thinking, I realize that if Martha was indeed the daughter of a laird and ran away to marry a blacksmith, her parents might erase her from their family history. However, wouldn't it be easy enough to search through all of the Morses who were lairds in the era that Martha was born and narrow down who her family was?
*sigh* But then, I suppose there are a lot of people who don't make it onto the family tree or make it onto the family tree in the wrong spot or the wrong family tree all together.

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 4 out of 5]

2025 Review
Besides a few chapters in the middle, this is one of the most delightful Martha books. We get to see the world beyond Glencaraid but also have lots of Glencaraid coziness. I love the chapter where Martha makes fairy dolls, and her growing relationship with Grisie.

(Must confess: I did not know how to pronounce that as a child, and read it as "Greasy" when Grisie was being annoying. My best guess is rhymes with missy, because a Z sound would be too close to grizzly for my North American sensibilities.)

I wish this series had gone on, but I am grateful that we have these four books. They are just delightful. Wiley captures the spirit of Little House and infuses more heart into the books (I often feel like Wilder had emotional distance from her own characters at many points in her narratives). It does please me very much that the Wiley books fit so naturally by the Wilder books on an alphabetized bookshelf.

2021 Review
And thus my rereading of the Martha books comes to its sad conclusion. (The conclusion of this book is happy enough, I just wish the series had gone on longer!) Certain scenes creeped me out as a kid Martha's imaginings about Dead Cora, and Balliecruin's dead palsy/seizure and death. Yet, the chapter on Martha's fairy dolls still wins my heart! I loved how Wiley portrayed Martha's changing relationship with Grisie. Strained sibling relationships can ease after the older one leaves home, in my experience, and that can make all the difference. As a child reading these books, a lot of the emotional character arcs and "lessons" went over my head as such, but I imbibed the messages all the same. Kudos to Wiley for her subtlety. It's always a joy to re-read a favorite childhood book that lives up to my expectations!

[Tarissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

In "Beyond the Heather Hills", the young, adventurous Martha Morse, is taking a trip away from home for the first time in her life. The only land she's laid eyes on before is her father's land of Glencaraid... but she's about to discover that there's so much more of the world.

I cherish the moment that Martha and her older sister Grisie locked eyes and bonded like never before. It's a beautiful scene. There's other such enjoyable moments in "Beyond the Heather Hills" -- lots of things to chuckle over, but quite a few solemn moments too. And through it all, there's the Scottish brogue to keep every single conversation SO riveting.

Although these books are nice and lovely to enjoy, this one seemed to have a few grim scenes that could be perceived as a little scary for youngsters reading it alone. For example, while visiting her older sister, Martha stays in a room which once belonged to a girl that is sometimes referred to as "Dead Cora", and Martha is unsettled with the situation for a while (who wouldn't?). About half-way through, Martha witnesses a man having a seizure -- and it's a very dramatic event for her to experience.

There's much Scottish folklore in these books, which colors the culture well. Anyone would learn much about Scotland. (This series isn't just for children to enjoy, you know!)

If only there were more books in this series! It's still hard for me to believe I've read the last of the Martha set, and there's no more! (This probably just means I'll have to re-read the series one day, as Martha Morse is now a character very close to my own heart.)

Already I miss Cook, Nannie and Hedgie (yes, that's the hedgehog), Grisie, Alisdair, Duncan and Robbie, Auld Mary, and I think Miss Crow too. Plus I have the most curious of feelings towards Lew Tucker, the blacksmith's son. If only I could see a peek into Martha's future!

[Jezebel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Martha Series is a childhood favorite of mine. The books are vividly told and perfect for elementary and middle school aged children. Not only do they teach history, but they also teach lessons of friendship and family.

[Elizabeth]

Bought at the Almanzo Wilder Homestead gift shop last summer because PERTH. Who knew that Laura Ingalls Wilder’s great-grandmother was the daughter of a Perthshire laird??? NOT I!

Who even knew that this series of books about Laura’s female ancestors (her mother’s line) even existed? But I may not read the rest of the series because this book alone, a paperback published about ten years ago, cost $24.95 AND THAT WAS THE CHEAP ONE.

This is an “okay wee story,” as a friend of mine once commented sort of damning with faint praise – it does have a feel of factory fiction (and I have written some myself, so I know), but Martha is a personable and pleasant wee lass and it’s interesting to see a world quite similar to my own through 18th century eyes. I enjoyed the overnight in Crieff (where my children go to school) and the road trip to Perth along a route that I know very, very well. If I were about 40 years younger and still in my Laura fanfic phase I would have totally had to read the whole collection.

[Kristen Luppino · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Martha Years is a great ending (or beginning) series for the Little House collection and Beyond the Heather Hills is a great final book in Laura's Great-Grandmother's series (though I do wish there were more books continuing the story)! Martha gets to visit her sister, leaving her father's land for the first time, and experiences some growing up!

[Heather C · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have read Beyond the Heather Hills as the 4th and final book in this series (you should read them in order, but it’s not required) you will be able to fully appreciate the evolution of Martha from a young girl of about 6 or 7 in the first book to a young adult at the age of 10. In this book she is still at that age where she wants to play, but is becoming more aware of the adult world around her and how she fits in it. She definitely encounters situations that are more significant than when she was a child – there is birth, and illness, death, and family growing up and moving away. There is also the difference between life in the city and life in the rural community that she had grown up in. So much for Martha changes in this book and it was beautifully done, as always, by Melissa Wiley.

This is a series that young readers can certainly grow with and the events that Martha encounters throughout are perfectly appropriate for what young readers may encounter in the world. I love the way in which tough issues are presented, such as illness and death; it is handled directly, without a lot of frills or extra in-depth information, but in a way that younger audiences can understand. So many elements of the Scottish culture are included in this series, but it never feels over-explained. I have read other historical fiction aimed at younger audiences that seem to go into extraneous depth about cultural elements which results in the narrative feeling to slow and heavy; that is not the case here. Wiley presents enough information for the audience to understand and wraps in seamlessly into the narrative and it never feels out of place. It was something that I immediately noticed in this book after having read another young adult novel recently that handled it much different.

I just adore this series and can’t wait to find time to start the 2nd series, The Charlotte Years, also written by Wiley.

This review was previously posted at The Maiden's Court blog.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this fourth book in the Martha Years series, ten-year-old Martha journeys to the bustling city of Perth to visit her newly married sister Grisie.
This is Martha′s first time beyond the familiar heather hills and this city on the River Tay is more exciting than she could have ever imagined!
I loved reading all about Martha with my son and sad to see this series end, it will be interesting to read her daughters series but at the same time strange to skip ahead.
You could definitely tell Martha is growing up and maturing in this book as there are several scenes that are a little scary for younger children.
Overall I loved this book and this whole series. I loved learning about the Scottish culture and the superstitions they had. I fell in love with the characters and am very interested to see who follows her into her adult life in the book series about her daughter.
I rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided to read all of the Little House books this year (including re-reading all of LIW's books). I wanted to read them in the order of Martha, Charlotte, Caroline, Laura and then, of course, Rose.

I don't have much too say about this book (or series). I liked this the best, I suppose, because it was more interesting having her story take place in Perth rather than on the highlands. Not only that, I can only take so much of reading stories that are being told about fairies.

While I understand the need to write their dialogue with a Scottish brogue, I don't see how easy that would be for little kids to read. And, in reality, these books are written for kids.

So, for the series as a whole (inlcluding this one), I would only give it an average of 3 stars.

[Sadie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the last book in the Martha series. I rated all the book in the series at 3 stars but the overall series is definately 4 stars. All 4 books were very enjoyable and entertaining books. I loved the learning the scottish culture and folklore and loved learning about Martha and her family. This book takes Martha on a visit to see her sister and her expierences away from her home. I look forward to reading the next in the little house series about Martha's daughter Charlotte.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

The descriptions of illness, death and new life were surprisingly poignant.

[Bekah Forbes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my favorite of the Martha series, although I was SHOCKED that it included Mr. McDougall’s death/seizure since it’s a children’s book… Martha’s inner thoughts are fun to read though- she gets so philosophical one moment and the next she’s bored out of her mind and trying to come up with new things to keep her entertained. Her moments with Lew Tucker are always cute, and I really wish we could get the story of how they end up together, instead of just reading about them as adults from their daughter’s POV in the next series. Overall though, it was a fun and quick book to end the series and I am excited to continue on to the next one!

[Jaime K · Rating 3 out of 5]

This takes place 1-1.5 years after the third book. It's shorter than the others...and the chapters are also shorter. The flow is choppy and most chapters feel abrupt. It's definitely not the best "Martha" book.

Martha is 10 and Grisie has married Kenneth MacDougal. They live in Perth, in Kenneth's childhood home, though his parents live elsewhere in the country. Grisie writes her family of her homesickness, and when Martha's father makes his next trip into the city, he brings her to stay with Grisie until their brothers go home for their holidays.

The sisters' separation has been good for them. They miss each other and appreciate each other more. I really like seeing how the age difference falls away due to maturity, more shared interests, and appreciation for their sisterhood.

Martha realizes just how small and unimportant she is. I don't blame her for feeling like she's put on airs, because we all live in our own bubble and, often without realizing it, tend to place self-importance on ourselves.

The grungy children (and rangy dogs) going through rubbish heaps is very sad to hear of. Martha's musings on a rainy day about those children is heartbreaking. It makes me want to find the homeless in my closest city and bring them home even more (again, a personal bubble).

We only learn in this book that lairds are addressed by their land names by others. For example, Father is known as "Glencaird;" Mr. MacDougal is referred to as "Balliecruin."
MacDougal and his servants are harsh. It's no wonder Grisie is homesick and lonely when Kenneth is away. It makes ME want to be back on Glencaird!

It's easy for an older reader to see what Grisie's "illness" is. It's almost funny that although Martha is friends with so many tenants' kids, she's very oblivious to certain things.

There is a great moral of even if we don't like someone, they're still HUMAN and deserve our respect.

I'm glad Wiley explained how to pronounce ceilidh, but there was no explanation as to what it actually is. Was it rare? What is the purpose?

I love seeing Martha and Lew Tucker solidify their friendship more, especially knowing their fate. It's a heartwarming end.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m really disappointed that this is the end of the Martha series. It just seems really truncated, considering the Caroline/Rose books were at least 7 books each.

This books starts when Martha is 10, going on 11. The first half of the book sees Martha visiting her sister in Perth (from wherever Glencaraid is supposed to be, since it’s made up - I picture it as the Scottish Highlands somewhere). Crieff/The Knock get mentioned, places that I’ve been and still have family there.

The second half of the book is a whole lot of nothing. Lewis Tucker appears again, Martha’s future husband. I desperately wanted to see how they came to be married, since one of the previous books made a deal of Martha being a laird’s daughter and marrying someone of her station. Lewis is very much a blacksmith’s son. There’s a whole missing story here, which if the series had been stretched to 7 books, we could have had. But now the readers have to move onto Charlotte, Martha and Lewis’s daughter, and grandmother of Laura. Plus, they are all now in America, so once again, another storyline missing - a pretty treacherous trip from Scotland to America in those times.

Overall, I can’t really say I would recommend this series, unless you a die hard Laura Ingalls fan. They’re very simple books and not a lot happens - plus a whole chunk of time is missed, which could have been filled in by writing another 3 books. Even if the author did have to stretch her imagination.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't love this entry in the series. Martha goes to visit her married sister in Perth, but instead of experiencing the excitements and sights of 18th century Perth, she's stuck in a house where the servants won't talk to her, and almost literally watches her sister-in-law's father die. Seriously, there's a description of the corpse. In a children's book. How charming. I realize that the original Little House books included a lot of disasters and tragedies, but this series hasn't had any of that, so this came as a complete surprise. And it's also not very exciting to read chapters and chapters about someone feeling bored and neglected. So, not my favorite, by a long shot.

[Kasey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like this book as much as the other books in Martha's series but I still thought that it was an enjoyable read. I thought that The Martha Years was too short and there should have been more about her. I would greatly encourage Little House fans to read the whole little house series beginning with Laura's great grandmother, Martha, and ending with Laura's daugher, Rose. It was so much fun reading about the different times these women lived in. Rated three stars because it is way below my reading level so it is a entertaining fast read.

[Ashley Perham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book doesn't really seem to fit in with the other books. It's a good book, but kind of an afterthought it seems. This book takes place about a year after Down to the Bonny Glen, which would be okay, but too much happened in that year to skip. AKA Grisie's married! (Not a spoiler cuz you find out early) I didn't think I had read this before, but parts of it seemed familiar. I loved the relationship between Martha and her siblings. (Her brother-in-law is awesome!) It's so sweet! The ending is great too! This is probably my least favorite Martha book, but it's not bad!

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the story-line and seeing Martha get older and more mature. The change in her and Grisie's relationship was very moving. At the end, though, the story seemed to stop short. The brief appearance of Lew Tucker in one of the last chapters was an almost unbearable tease. Why did they stop here in the Martha years? Oh well, onto re-reading the Charlotte books.

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved these books and will continue reading the series. All of the series should be a part of anyone's reading list or personal library who enjoyed/loved The Little House on the Prairie books. And while I understand why, my only disappointment is that that these books cover such short periods of time in that one person's life.

[Mary-Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Martha is ten years old and spends some time with her married sister in Perth, her first time away from home. Her interactions with the blacksmith's son Lewis Tucker are described towards the end of the book. The series ends with this book, but the real Martha married Lewis Tucker, a man below her station, in Boston, USA. Unfortunately, the author did not finish the Martha series.

[Elevetha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Absolutely adored this series when I was younger, though I cannot speak for how they stand up to the test of time and maturity. I do recall not liking this last book nearly as much as the others, however.

[Partridge Public]

Wiley, Melissa

[Kaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little house, Martha years. (Lauras great-grandmother)

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4th installment of stories about Martha Morris (Laura Ingalls Wilder's great-grandmother in Scotland.) These are very fine stories. They are juvenial but I LOVED them.

[Lindsey Rojem · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite childhood books

[Salinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read this book twice now and I still like it just as much as I did several years ago. There are a few things in it that I don't like but it is a pretty good book over all.

[emma grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read in 2005-6...

[Lauri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the Martha books, but remember that they are at best fan fiction.

[Grace Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Martha's adventures in town with her newly married sister.

[Anabella · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a good book, I personally enjoyed it very much. I think that anyone under 4 would probably not understand it as much as a 9 year old would. I would recommend this book.