This is a Prequel NOT a Sequel
I don't know why this work is listed as a sequel to Spencer's Mountain. In fact, it takes place beforehand. This is clearly evident when we look at the characters' ages. The kids who are present in Spencer's Mountain had not been born yet in this story, and some characters who had passed away in the later work were still alive here. Additionally, there were a few passages that seemed almost like copy/pastes from Spencer's Mountain, which was a bit disappointing.
The story itself was extremely simple. It really should have been just two chapters instead of being stretched out into a novella. It was an okay read, but it definitely didn't have the same captivating charm as Spencer's Mountain. The plot was too simple and felt rather redundant at times. There wasn't enough depth or complexity to keep the reader fully engaged throughout. Overall, while it wasn't a terrible read, it failed to live up to the expectations set by its predecessor.