Just like Ms Wiley did with the first book in this series, this is the third book in the Martha Years, she incorporated lots of History in her writing. This book opens the doors for the older readers to do independent research about the various traditions, ways of life she writes about. 9 year old Martha experiences more in this book than she has in the other books, and most are traditional life living in the late 1700's in Scotland. Had my attention that I feel asleep each night reading since I didn't want to stop and put the book down. This one (to me) was the best one thus far.

You could probably read it without reading the first two books and not be 'lost'. But the first two books help the reader understand about her siblings especially her three older brothers whom have gotten old enough to go away to school and in this book they are mentioned quite a bit but they aren't a main character. Also in the other books you learn the relationship Martha has with her older sister and why she is so confused at her acting so strange now that she's gotten older (courting age...is she really old enough to be married Martha wonders) And the other books just establishes Martha's love for those around her and without reading those you miss out on that but this book is wonderful and I'm so glad I decided to read them!

My absolute favorite Martha, and one of my childhood favorite books, in general! Very charming. Much better than the first two. Longer as well. Lots of very interesting events in this one. Martha was the perfect age here. I believe it was my favorite when I was small, as well. Last book made me sad, so it's good that the one before it was so happy.

Down to the Bonny Glen has always been my favorite of the Martha books. It’s longer than the others and is mostly concerned with the character development and growth of Martha. Martha is more than just a spirited young girl in this book—she’s now finally starting to realize that she’s the daughter of a laird, and in that sense she’s quite different from other children around her.

This conflict is sown all throughout the book—Martha’s awkwardness around her friends, her brother and his friends’ hesitation at seeing one another after Duncan comes back from school, Martha’s realization that as a laird’s daughter she has different expectations. And yet we also see her determination to not let things like that bother her, to push past barriers and boundaries and do what she wants to do. We see that in her eagerness to cook and her parent’s appall at the thought of her cooking for a living, we see that in her desire to go to America, to have adventure, to play outside instead of sit in and sew. And we see that in the hints and subtle indication that connect Martha and the blacksmith’s son, Lewis Tucker.

Other than the character development, Martha also gets some personal growth in terms of her rashness and thoughtlessness. Her new governess helps by channeling Martha’s energy into suitable tasks and by the end of the book, Martha is much more careful without having lost any of her spiritedness.

The Martha Years will never be as memorable or long-lasting as the Little House books, but Down to the Bonny Glen is the highlight of the series, chock-full of thoughtless Martha, interesting events (my favorite is Martha and Grisie cooking for the house), and lots of character development.

Such growth in Martha. I'm loving this series. A wedding, governesses, dancing, and understanding family.

Sure now, and you ken that everything within me wishes to dwell in bonny Scotland!!!

I actually quite liked this, which is odd considering I mostly read these continuations out of a sense of completism. Martha and her family were all portrayed as good decent people in the LIW tradition, and there was a balance between Martha's responsibilities and discipline. She is being taught to think of others beside herself, in a subtle way-- and she is clearly doing her best. I like it.

N'aww.
Martha's eight and a half in the beginning of this book. One of the things that I love is that Martha doesn't repeat herself. She doesn't go and watch sheep shearing two book in a row.
We see Martha growing up. She hadn't realized until this book how different life as the laird's daughter is compared to a tenant's daughter. Even the other children realize the difference.
When I was eight and a half, I was flying through third grade, not a care in the world. Other than that, I don't remember what I was doing. For real. I barely remember what responsibilities I had, but I know for certain that I didn't get to touch a fire for anything other than marshmallows. Annie Davis was eight and a half and in charge of getting food cooked for her family. Goodness. Today I am glad that I live in the present.
Things are changing. We meet one governess who is a total waste of time for Martha. Then we meet the next one who is nice and lovely. The boys are away at school, Grisie is seventeen and has the boys after her hand in marriage. Wowza. I didn't even like weddings when I was seventeen.
One thing that I dislike is that Melissa Wiley will mention Lew Tucker and Ian Cameron by name, but Not Lew Tucker's older brother. I'm guessing part of it has to do with Lew and Ian being closer to Martha's age, not to mention what we already know Lewis Tucker and Martha Morse have a... history. I'd really like to know how that one happened, but the last we hear from Martha until Charlotte's series is when she is ten. Ten year olds don't catch husbands. Well, they're not supposed to anyway.
One book left. :'(