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Little House: The Rose Years #4
On the Other Side of the Hill
The Wilder family has fallen on hard times as they struggle to make a success of Rocky Ridge, their farm in the Ozarks. Young Rose must help her parents as they battle the natural disasters of a cyclone, a drought, and a forest fire. There are good times as well, when Rose attends her first party in town.
160 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1995
25 people are currently reading
2328 people want to read
About the author
Roger Lea MacBride
66 books117 followersMacBride called himself "the adopted grandson" of writer and political theorist Rose Wilder Lane, the daughter of writer Laura Ingalls Wilder, and as such laid claim to the substantial Ingalls-Wilder's literary estate, including the "Little House on the Prairie" franchise. He is the author of record of three additional "Little House" books, and began the "Rocky Ridge Years" series, describing the Ozark childhood of Rose Wilder Lane. He also co-produced the 1970s television series Little House on the Prairie.
Controversy came after MacBride's death in 1995, when the local library in Mansfield, Missouri, contended that Wilder's original will gave her daughter ownership of the literary estate for her lifetime only, all rights to revert to the Laura Ingalls Wilder Library after her death. The ensuing court case was settled in an undisclosed manner, but MacBride's heirs retained the rights.
For more information, please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Ma...
Controversy came after MacBride's death in 1995, when the local library in Mansfield, Missouri, contended that Wilder's original will gave her daughter ownership of the literary estate for her lifetime only, all rights to revert to the Laura Ingalls Wilder Library after her death. The ensuing court case was settled in an undisclosed manner, but MacBride's heirs retained the rights.
For more information, please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Ma...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
October 2, 2020
4.5 stars & 5/10 hearts. I read these books so fast that I’m having trouble remembering what happened in what book. They follow each other along perfectly! I still really love the characters—Abe, Rose, Laura/Mama, & Almanzo/Papa. I loved seeing Father & Mother Wilder again; also, Blanche’s friendship with Rose is really fun! There are a few euphemisms; and again, the constant wonder about babies bugs me. Rose’s growing rebellion & flirtiness bothers me, but at least when Rose disobeys, her parents find out and deal with it. However, I’m finding these books, although still really nice, to have more and more little things—hard to lay a finger on—that are bugging me. This series isn’t for everybody. I love how the train is constantly woven into the book, though… so whimsy and lovely. <3 And I love Laura’s little talk about finding contentment in the little things! Edited, this is suitable for readers 14+; unedited, ages 16+.
*I do plan to reread these books next year to see what I think of them then; review subject to revision/updates*
*I do plan to reread these books next year to see what I think of them then; review subject to revision/updates*
April 15, 2018
This book has a lot of Rose's growth in it, but at times it's repetitive. It covers the third year the Wilders are on Rocky Ridge, and there are quite a few times when the story jumps ahead a few months. Still, there were quite a few things that jumped out at me:
- I like that Abe said that Effie is the boss of the house.
- The Ozark people put a lot of stock in omens. I'm glad that Rose understands that focusing on them means constant fretting.
- Cider pressing sounds great, if only because of the day of basking in friendly and joyous company.
- Birthing and nursing were not spoken of "in polite company." As such, we can see a major downside in being an only child, particularly if a young girl was thinking about being a mother.
- Professor Crowe is awful. I'm so glad that it wasn't common for kids to be BEAT. And yes, the kids are horrid to him as well, but as an adult, he set the worst example.
I LOVE Mrs. Honeycutt, especially because she played with her students at recess. She's understanding of them and their desires too.
- The Wishbook chapter made me laugh and wonder at the progressive times of the 1890s.
And it also made me realize in a different way that as things get more exposure (goods, the world, people, being connected 24/7, etc.), the easier it is to carry envy; the more exasperated jealousy becomes.
This is bad for Rose. She's always carried some jealousy for the town girls, and her embarrassment pushes through in this book. There are certainly the beginnings for the woman she became.
- It's also great to see the growth of the times through entertainment like Wild West shows.
MacBride talks of the convenience. I think it's the second time in all the books that I've seen one mentioned.
It's quite annoying that the title of the book isn't even brought up until the very end.
- I like that Abe said that Effie is the boss of the house.
- The Ozark people put a lot of stock in omens. I'm glad that Rose understands that focusing on them means constant fretting.
- Cider pressing sounds great, if only because of the day of basking in friendly and joyous company.
- Birthing and nursing were not spoken of "in polite company." As such, we can see a major downside in being an only child, particularly if a young girl was thinking about being a mother.
- Professor Crowe is awful. I'm so glad that it wasn't common for kids to be BEAT. And yes, the kids are horrid to him as well, but as an adult, he set the worst example.
I LOVE Mrs. Honeycutt, especially because she played with her students at recess. She's understanding of them and their desires too.
- The Wishbook chapter made me laugh and wonder at the progressive times of the 1890s.
And it also made me realize in a different way that as things get more exposure (goods, the world, people, being connected 24/7, etc.), the easier it is to carry envy; the more exasperated jealousy becomes.
This is bad for Rose. She's always carried some jealousy for the town girls, and her embarrassment pushes through in this book. There are certainly the beginnings for the woman she became.
- It's also great to see the growth of the times through entertainment like Wild West shows.
MacBride talks of the convenience. I think it's the second time in all the books that I've seen one mentioned.
It's quite annoying that the title of the book isn't even brought up until the very end.
March 10, 2025
Pretty good. My littles continue to enjoy this series and always ask me to read this to them. But at the end of the day, this series just isn't as great as the Little House one.
January 9, 2015
It wasn't terrific, but at least it was better than the last one. The stories were a little better. The writing is just as annoying, though.
Land sakes, Laura! Why do have to keep saying "Land sakes"?!?!
And I am so tired of someone's mouth quivering in "mirth".
Roger Lea MacBride really is not a good storyteller. Not in the least. He is an average writer at best. That is my opinion, of course. He uses the same words over and over again. And he repeats the same facts/points over and over again. He portrays Laura as a very unlikable person. No, what I suppose I should say is that he makes her not my "sort". There are many times when I just want to punch her in the face. And, like I said in a previous review, I have no idea what these people were like in real life. But if the real Laura Ingalls were anything like the way she portrayed the character of Laura Ingalls to be, she would NOT develop into the person that MacBride turned her into.
And he just HAS to put something in here to drive me nuts. Almanzo accidentally opens the Sears & Roebuck catalog to the corset section. And grown man, adult Almanzo BLUSHES at that?? And then APOLOGIZES to Laura?? What IS that? And then she goes off on how she, basically, disapproves of such pictures. OH, COME ON!!! I want to scream at both Almanzo and Laura and say "GROW UP!!". It is neither cute nor funny to write these two in such a way.
I did find one thing interesting, though. Last time I was irritated with Laura's constant blushing every time her husband showed some kind of affection. Yet, in this one she "settles" on his lap? Isn't that more intimate, in a way, than just giving someone a quick kiss? Whatever!
I have 4 more to go. I will be so happy to get these over with. Why read them if I really have problems with them? Like I said, they have been sitting here for YEARS. I spent money on them (expecting them to be good). They WILL be read. They won't be wasted.
Land sakes, Laura! Why do have to keep saying "Land sakes"?!?!
And I am so tired of someone's mouth quivering in "mirth".
Roger Lea MacBride really is not a good storyteller. Not in the least. He is an average writer at best. That is my opinion, of course. He uses the same words over and over again. And he repeats the same facts/points over and over again. He portrays Laura as a very unlikable person. No, what I suppose I should say is that he makes her not my "sort". There are many times when I just want to punch her in the face. And, like I said in a previous review, I have no idea what these people were like in real life. But if the real Laura Ingalls were anything like the way she portrayed the character of Laura Ingalls to be, she would NOT develop into the person that MacBride turned her into.
And he just HAS to put something in here to drive me nuts. Almanzo accidentally opens the Sears & Roebuck catalog to the corset section. And grown man, adult Almanzo BLUSHES at that?? And then APOLOGIZES to Laura?? What IS that? And then she goes off on how she, basically, disapproves of such pictures. OH, COME ON!!! I want to scream at both Almanzo and Laura and say "GROW UP!!". It is neither cute nor funny to write these two in such a way.
I did find one thing interesting, though. Last time I was irritated with Laura's constant blushing every time her husband showed some kind of affection. Yet, in this one she "settles" on his lap? Isn't that more intimate, in a way, than just giving someone a quick kiss? Whatever!
I have 4 more to go. I will be so happy to get these over with. Why read them if I really have problems with them? Like I said, they have been sitting here for YEARS. I spent money on them (expecting them to be good). They WILL be read. They won't be wasted.
May 24, 2017
After the last book, which was a bit dull, things pick up again for Rose and her family in this book.
One of the things that's interesting in comparing these to the Little House books is that I feel the author romanticizes farming much less than Laura Ingalls Wilder did. I don't think one way is better than the other, but it is an interesting contrast.
One of the things that's interesting in comparing these to the Little House books is that I feel the author romanticizes farming much less than Laura Ingalls Wilder did. I don't think one way is better than the other, but it is an interesting contrast.
August 24, 2023
I still can’t get over how great the Rose books are, and how they hold their own against Little House. The details of her experience and American history woven together are superb. I read these to my seven year old daughter, but must admit that I enjoy them quite as much.
November 24, 2021
The main character is really hard to like in this one.
July 1, 2019
This is now the fourth book in the series and Rose is growing up. My goodness, her dolls are remaining in her drawer and she doesn’t have time for childish escapades anymore.
What I’m finding more and more from these books, is that there are multiple “lessons” to be learned. Don’t lose your temper. Don’t get jealous. Don’t forget to build a cyclone cellar. Don’t play tricks on teachers. Learn how babies are made. Which is obviously beneficial to the intended reading group, but not to a full grown adult.
The whole “how are babies made” storyline is cringe-worthy in this day and age. Laura/Mama blushes as soon as Almanzo/Papa so much as kisses her in front of their daughter, and then stumbles over explaining to her 10 year old daughter how babies are made. I know children were probably quite sheltered in those days, but if you live a farm, you would have seen things that you would never unsee! And preparation is key whether you’re going to be faced with a tree trunk when you see a guy naked for the first time or an acorn. I suppose the ladies never saw anything in those days. Or it was certainly never talked about in polite company.
So while Rose is growing up, the family are still dealing with the various lessons that life throws at them. Laura and Almanzo still feature quite heavily in the books, and haven’t disappeared into the background, as I was expecting. Laura seems to have moved away from her childishness, which didn’t seem ever to happen, if you grew up as a lover of the original book series/TV show and is quite the obedient farmer’s wife now. Almanzo I feel like is either strongly based on Dean Butler’s portrayal of Almanzo, or he played the character very well. (Unfortunately I don’t recollect too much from Farmer’s Boy or The First Four Years - they weren’t my favourites from the series.)
There’s still a very short amount of time covered in these books, and I expect to see the “jump” happening soon. Rose is already 10/11, and we still have another four books to go. If it finishes up around the same time as the Laura/Caroline books did, we need to get her finishing school and married with a baby on the way!
This is still easily skimmable, and will be finished in no time. I haven’t found a seriously bad or seriously good book so far. They are just easy to read and formulaic.
What I’m finding more and more from these books, is that there are multiple “lessons” to be learned. Don’t lose your temper. Don’t get jealous. Don’t forget to build a cyclone cellar. Don’t play tricks on teachers. Learn how babies are made. Which is obviously beneficial to the intended reading group, but not to a full grown adult.
The whole “how are babies made” storyline is cringe-worthy in this day and age. Laura/Mama blushes as soon as Almanzo/Papa so much as kisses her in front of their daughter, and then stumbles over explaining to her 10 year old daughter how babies are made. I know children were probably quite sheltered in those days, but if you live a farm, you would have seen things that you would never unsee! And preparation is key whether you’re going to be faced with a tree trunk when you see a guy naked for the first time or an acorn. I suppose the ladies never saw anything in those days. Or it was certainly never talked about in polite company.
So while Rose is growing up, the family are still dealing with the various lessons that life throws at them. Laura and Almanzo still feature quite heavily in the books, and haven’t disappeared into the background, as I was expecting. Laura seems to have moved away from her childishness, which didn’t seem ever to happen, if you grew up as a lover of the original book series/TV show and is quite the obedient farmer’s wife now. Almanzo I feel like is either strongly based on Dean Butler’s portrayal of Almanzo, or he played the character very well. (Unfortunately I don’t recollect too much from Farmer’s Boy or The First Four Years - they weren’t my favourites from the series.)
There’s still a very short amount of time covered in these books, and I expect to see the “jump” happening soon. Rose is already 10/11, and we still have another four books to go. If it finishes up around the same time as the Laura/Caroline books did, we need to get her finishing school and married with a baby on the way!
This is still easily skimmable, and will be finished in no time. I haven’t found a seriously bad or seriously good book so far. They are just easy to read and formulaic.
September 28, 2022
This series has brought me so much joy and I'm glad I gave the original Little House series a chance after sitting on the boxset for a decade. This installment to Rose's franchise was stellar. She and her family had to move into town because things aren't so rosy at Rocky Ridge farm. She's seeing what town life is all about with the various stores, townsfolk, and animals around her new house. There were certain moments that pricked at my empathetic heart, but I can always count on the honeyglow to pick me back up. My biggest takeaway was the fact that a baby was swept up in a tornado unharmed and the Wilder family christened her Cyclone Sally. I'm not ready for this series to end, but I should be fine with the other stories featuring Rose's ancestors. As long as I've got my prairie ladies, not even a tornado could tear me away.
May 2, 2025
Picks up where the last book ends with the wedding of Effie and Abe. The town comes to celebrate with a shivered, as Abe is being lifted during the celebration, the fence rail he’s on brakes, and an old lady says this is bad omen. The story includes hog butchering at the Stubbins, a mean teacher that the boys harass and he quits, Blache’s birthday party, Effie having twins and the Cooley’s leaving the hotel business-they’re still living in town, but Mr. Cooley is now working for the railroad. The spring is muddy, then a cyclone comes, then drought, then a fire that destroys Mr. Stubbin’s farm caused by a spark from RR. Mr. Cooley dies from a train wreck while working, Mrs. Cooley will eventually move, but Almanzo’s dad buys the house for him and Laura to have. The poor crop forces the Wilders to move into town to be able to pay their debts, they’ll live in the Cooley’s old home. Both Almanzo and Laura will take jobs and Abe and Swiney will take care of the farm.
October 11, 2020
Rose Wilder's family battle a cyclone, a fire, and other hardships in this novel. Rose discovers there's more to growing up than just adding another year to one's age.
November 21, 2022
Always completely nostalgic to come back to 💕
March 29, 2021
lots of challenges in this girl's life
December 30, 2021
I really like this book, especially because of the plot, and the descriptive writing that they use in the Little House books.
February 10, 2024
Another great installment of the series and read-aloud for my three older girls. I have really been enjoying Rose's stories, especially because the scenery is so different from when they were in the Midwest (which I am more familiar with).
There were a couple of scarier moments in this book. I was surprised at how well my girls handled the chapters involving a tornado and a fire. They were well written for the target age.
See this review and more on my Substack: https://momsmusings.substack.com/i/14...
There was so much good in this book, too! We got to see Rose deal with her emotions when she was shamed by a "town" girl. And we got to meet Effie's baby! The surprises involved in this book were so fun for us to read together.
There were a couple of scarier moments in this book. I was surprised at how well my girls handled the chapters involving a tornado and a fire. They were well written for the target age.
See this review and more on my Substack: https://momsmusings.substack.com/i/14...
There was so much good in this book, too! We got to see Rose deal with her emotions when she was shamed by a "town" girl. And we got to meet Effie's baby! The surprises involved in this book were so fun for us to read together.
June 6, 2019
I have been collecting this series and finally found all the books at used bookstores. This series follows Rose Wilder, the daughter of Laura & Almanzo Wilder, when she was a little girl after they moved to Missouri. It was a hard life trying to make a rocky soiled farm successful, fighting fires, drought, and other issues. Fun to read.
May 19, 2024
Rose is ten now and really growing up. This book was so inspiring. She had to work through friendships, being ok with being a farm girl & having friends in town, and the scare of a cyclone and a fire. Her family continues to inspire us to work together, and keep up the hope that the future will be as bright as our faith. I think every family would benefit from the Rose series.
May 9, 2025
Rose is growing up and getting to know herself and the world around her better. This entry in the series shares the hardships the Wilders go through, which led them to move into town in Mansfield at the end of the book. Looking forward to reading about all of their adventures there in the next book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2019
This short series follows Laura Ingalls Wilder, husband Almanzo and daughter Rose after they leave the Dakotas for the Ozarks. I think this is almost entirely fictional, but it's written in the same style as the Little House books and they maintain the same charm.
July 18, 2024
I’m really liking this series. I can’t wait until my granddaughter gets old enough to read them. That’s a long way off though. The descriptions of the land and hardships of farming feel so real. The forces of nature described really pull you in.
June 2, 2017
Another enjoyable easy read that held my interst.
July 14, 2019
2,5. I probably wouldn't continue this series, if I didn't love the "Little House on the Prarie" series so much.
August 3, 2020
Worth the read...when life was hard but still simple.
September 6, 2021
Turtle: great! Return to library.
March 26, 2023
3.5 stars. This one's a doozy, but Rose is still totally great.
Read
January 21, 2024Read these some time ago. Maybe 2000?
August 30, 2024
Book bought at Mary Briesecker library used book sale
May 20, 2025
*3.75 Stars
July 17, 2025
Same as the previous book, some of the themes were a bit mature for the age. But overall, still a good read for the kids.
July 24, 2025
Loved it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews