The First Four Years (Little House #9)

4.7

3.8 (4)

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Author(s)

Laura Ingalls Wilder

Co-Authors / Illustrators

Garth Williams

Publisher

HarperCollins

Genre(s)

Age Range

10+

Release Date

October 01, 1953

ISBN

978-0060581886

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Laura Ingalls Wilder is beginning life with her new husband, Almanzo, in their own little house. Laura is a young pioneer wife now, and must work hard with Almanzo, farming the land around their home on the South Dakota prairie. Soon their baby daughter, Rose, is born, and the young family must face the hardships and triumphs encountered by so many American pioneers. And so Laura Ingalls Wilder's adventure as a little pioneer girl ends, and her new life as a pioneer wife and mother begins. The nine Little House books have been cherished by generations of readers as both a unique glimpse into America's frontier past and a heartwarming, unforgettable story.

Editor review

1 review

The Final Chapter

December 03, 2011

Overall rating

4.7

Writing Style

4.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

5.0

Learning Value

5.0

The First Four Years is the final chapter of the Little House series. It paints the picture of a young pioneer family and the struggles they had on a daily basis. This story doesn't have a lot of the cheeriness that the other books do. Don't discount this book because it lacks the cheeriness and optimism. I think if you have read the other books, you have to read this one as well.

Laura's life wasn't easy and I think her telling of these first years as a young married woman are some of the most honest and true descriptions of the time period that she lived.

Good Points

Gives a true picture of the life of a young pioneer family.

Claire Johnson, Staff Reviewer Top 50 Reviewer 238 reviews

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User reviews

4 reviews

Overall rating

3.8

Writing Style

3.8(4)

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

N/A(0)

Learning Value

N/A(0)

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I love the Little House series!

September 29, 2009

Overall rating

5.0

Writing Style

5.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

0.0

Learning Value

0.0

Reader reviewed by AB

The Little House on the Prairie series we my absoulte favorite books when I was little and they are on my top five still today!
You just have to love Laura Ingalls and all the wild, funny things she does! She is one of the best American writers of all time! It is not only to enjoy but the gice a lot of hisotical backround in the late 1800s. You may think they are only for little kids but they are not they are for all ages. They bring the child out of the older kids. These books are for everyone. This book in particular talks about Laura and her marraige to Almanzo Wilder.
You just have to read these books!

Guest #1 Reviewer

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here comes laura

June 26, 2009

Overall rating

3.0

Writing Style

3.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

0.0

Learning Value

0.0

Reader reviewed by Beth

I kinda like this book. Its not one of my favorites but i didn't hate it. i liked it more when i was little than i do now. the stories are kind of cute' but not really aything i fell in love with. i might read these books again, but it wouldn't be my first choice. i do like learning about the old times. when im reading this book it make me feel like cozying up next to a fire with the rest of my family.

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Laura's all grown up

June 07, 2005

Overall rating

4.0

Writing Style

4.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

0.0

Learning Value

0.0

Reader reviewed by bookworm9

The last of the Little House books and the only one that Laura certainly wrote without any help from her daughter Rose (it wasn't published until after both of their deaths), "The First Four Years" reads like the rough manuscript that it is. The rest of the series always has that strain of optimism running through it, but this book highlighting the first four years of Laura's marriage to Almanzo Wilder seems to go from one tragedy to the next-- crops are ruined, a baby dies, the house burns down. Still, Laura is still Laura, and she does write beautifully. This is one for Little House fans to read when they're a bit older and can appreciate the telling of the story rather than the depressing story itself.

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Long ago and not far away

August 23, 2003

Overall rating

3.0

Writing Style

3.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

0.0

Learning Value

0.0

Reader reviewed by Amanda

The First Four Years is the story of Laura Ingalls Wilder's first four years of marriage to Almanzo Wilder. In the story, they have a baby, Rose Wilder, who ends up writing like Laura. Also, in this story, the Wilder's endure hardships through their crops, health, and home. At some points, they have little or no money and in the end it is a better or for worse situation.

I enjoyed The First Four Years. Laura Ingalls Wilder was an excellent writer who depicted her life and lifestyle in a fascinating way. She told the truth about what happened and it was very soul-grabbing. In most of her books, you feel happy and light-hearted. But, in this one, you feel how tragic her life was. My favorite part was reading about the plate from the fire. I recommend this book for girls ages 10 and up. I give it 5 stars for truth and sorrow.

Guest #1 Reviewer