I first read the Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder in grade school. Growing up in a small Kansas town, I loved reading stories of the prairie and pioneers. I remember imagining what it must have been like to travel in the back of a covered wagon, and to be a homesteading pioneer family. Many, many children (and adults) have happily had those same thoughts, ever since the first Little House book was published in the 1930's.

I remember several family vacations where we drove hours out of our way to visit Ingalls and Wilder family homestead sites and museums. It was always worth the drive. We would all gather around the displays and point out possessions we remembered from the books. Seeing photographs of the family was amazing as well. It made the pioneer era seem so close...and yet so far away. A time gone by, but remembered fondly.

I still love her books. Her writing is simple, but strong, conveying the strength, determination and love her family had for each other and the land.

William Anderson's biography of Laura shares details about her family, each of their home sites, facts about their friends and neighbors, and the challenges they faced. At 232 pages, the book is a quick read, telling the history of the Ingalls and Wilder families in a charming, informative way. There are several black and white photographs and illustrations as well. I enjoyed learning about Laura's later years writing magazine articles, newspaper columns and her books. That was a portion of her story that was new to me.

I enjoyed learning more about her childhood and young adult life as well. I had forgotten how many times Laura's family moved due to financial hardship, natural disaster or other reasons. It must have been hard to pick up and leave everything behind so many times. Reading about Laura's life definitely brought back all the warm feelings I have for this family. I spent many hours as a child reading their story, and it was nice to revisit old memories.

This book would be a great read for anyone who enjoys the Little House books, young and old. It's a quick read, but very well written and informative.

William Anderson has written several books about Laura Ingalls Wilder including The Little House Sampler and The Little House Guidebook. For more information on the author and his books, check out his website:

I grew up loving these books. It’s been a few decades since I last read them so it was fun to revisit Laura’s life!

I enjoyed reading about Laura Ingalls Wilder - how she helped other people and how she became a really famous author.

It was written for children so it wasn’t that interesting. It did contain a chronological story of Laura’s life, which her books mix up and leave things out, so it did fill in the blanks. As an adult I actually liked reading the annotated version of Laura’s Pioneer Girl better”.

The best biography I’ve ever read in my life, this woman is so brilliant and spectacular, I’ve never been so captivated by a story of one’s self. I read this in middle school and remember feeling changed by it so I read it again and it was so worth it.

I went on a road trip with my mom and dad and went to see Laura's houses that she lived in.... It was awsome and on the trip I bought this book and just read it and it was really good cuz you could learn more about her life with your parents and sisters and her husband Almanzo and their daughther Rose.... I would read this book over and over again and go see her houses again... I use to watch the show Little House on the Pairie when I was younger and fell in love with the story and how they lived making a living....

good early middle school level biography on Laura Ingalls Wilder

This is one of the best biographies I’ve ever read! Anderson gives us the perfect summary of the Ingalls’ life, specifically Laura. I’ve learned so much that I never knew. This book is perfect for adults and children to learn about one of the best authors that ever lived, Laura Ingalls Wilder.

A good summary of Laura’s life. It is a little simplistic in parts

Loved this! Now I totally want to go to Missouri and see her house!

I love this book. I love ALL of the books in this 'series'. I read them when I was in 6th or 7th grade and BEGGED my mom for the set for YEARS until she finally got it for me on my 15th or 16th birthday! I now have the boxed set all safe and sound on my bookshelf where I look at them lovingly every time I pass. They were my childhood, and will be passed onto my children should I ever be blessed with any.

Definitely suggest for younger readers; it's a CLASSIC!

I Love Laura Ingalls Wilder!!!