Laura's eighth book covers more time than any of the previous ones.  It basically picks up where Little Town on the Prairie leaves off; I used to think it was the following day, but actually it's about two months later.  (At the end of LTOTP, Laura earns a teaching certificate) At the beginning of this book she is on her way to teach a new school, the tiny Brewster school twelve miles from De Smet, where two of her pupils are older than is she.  Much of the beginning of the book focuses on the term there, the unpleasant boarding situation, and Almanzo Wilder's kind errands to bring her home over the weekend.   

The story follows Laura through about three years, through teaching and attending school herself, a visit from Mary, and lots of rides with Almanzo.  Of course, everyone knows that they do end up marrying!

Be aware that Laura asks not to have "obey" in the marriage vows when they do get married.

Grade: A

Recommendations: girls from age 12.  Read all the other Little House books (at least Laura's) first. 

   I found this book shelved with juvenile biographies at the library, but it could be shelved with either juvenile or adult biographies.  Of course, Alcott is often of more interest to those young girls who have recently read her!

   Most of us have a vague notion in the back of our heads that Louisa and her most famous character, Jo March, are virtually one and the same, and might go into reading about Louisa's life expecting to find the same story in parallels.  That's neither an accurate assumption nor a wholely inaccurate one.  The March girls are certainly based on the Alcott ones, but there is more fiction to it as well.  Frankly, the March girls had far less change and upheaval through their father's ventures than did Bronson Alcott's own daughters.  The family was part of some spectacular failures at communal and utopian life in pre-Civil War New England.  And sorry to tell you that neither Laurie nor Professor Bhaer has a true, real-life counterpart!

   I didn't get the idea that Bronson Alcott's strange ideas were being pushed as good things; however, neither was it particularly disrespectful of him as a father.  This being a biography, readers have to realize that it tells what happened, good or bad.   Louisa was perhaps too independent in seasons of her life, but spent much of her life at home as a writer too.

Grade: B+

Recommendations: Girls from 14, adults.  You may also like A Girl From Yamhill by Beverly Cleary.

  I've read GWTW enough times that I remember random passages or sentences and anticipate them as I go!  But it still takes me a couple weeks to get through the seven hundred plus pages.  Of course, we all know much of the story, but it's very interesting to see the play between the book and the film- what's changed, what's left out and perhaps why.   Certainly reading the book gives a clearer sense of Scarlett's drive- her love for Tara, that she doesn't understand herself.  She is the cold creature we see in the film, but there's a reason.  Not to excuse her- however there is much to be learned from in her.

I find myself wondering how all the social conventions of Scarlett's world came into being, especially within only a few decades.  She points out herself how her grandmother had dressed, ahem, differently than she did, so one can assume some differences in other points.  Scarlett's point of view is one of rigid conventions, though she knows so well which ones she transgresses and doesn't mind doing it when it suits her.

Grade: A

Recommendations:  I first read GWTW when I was only 13, which I think was a bit of a mistake.  A good understnding of the history involved as well as understanding enough about s*x to comprehend pregnancy, the implications of Melanie's being unable to bear further children, and what exactly Belle Watling is, are needed; however, with guindance or among adults, there is worth to reading it.