3.5 stars

I was feeling crusty about teaching, so I thought I'd check out this book (described as a feel-good, comfort book by several reviewers) in an attempt to curb my urge to drown every student in my vicinity.

But contrary to what the blurb led me to believe, the teaching aspects of the book made up only about 20% of the entire content. I really empathized with some questions raised about teaching people close to your own age: at the beginning, Laura is only 15 and must teach a 16 year old boy named Clarence, who gives her quite a lot of grief. This struck a chord with me because, as a teaching assistant for undergraduates, I have often found it difficult to set boundaries and maintain a sort of 'gravitas' . A little detachment is necessary, as Laura discovers when she ends up playing in the snow with her students and finding her control of them slipping. Nevertheless, she perseveres and I enjoyed this part of the book.

The rest was a bit hit-and-miss for me, mostly chronicling Laura's life in general, as an earning member of the family. A gentle slice-of-life read, smattered with surprising scenes of modern and liberal thinking (for its time). Not a bad book to curl up with on a Sunday evening. Round up if you like old-timey coming-of-age books.

Coming of Age and Courtship Days for Laura and Almanzo. I haven't grown up. I'm still swooning over buggy rides, singing school, sleigh parties and an earnest young farmer winning the girl.

After reading about Laura growing up throughout the series, it was bittersweet seeing her leave childhood behind, but fun seeing her figure out her own feelings once she realizes that Almanzo is a serious beau and her feelings behind her shyness are strong enough that the pain of no longer being Pa's Little Half-Pint and moving away from home might be worth it.

Venturing back to yesteryear and pioneer family life on the prairie remains engaging listening as Cherry Jones' does fabulous at narrating the talented Laura Ingalls Wilder stories.

#lerlauraingallswilder

What a joy to re-read these stories after touring the actual homes!

Bittersweet to be finished with these with the youngest gent.

loved it

We absolutely loved seeing Laura and Almanzo's love story unfold. The way they started as friends and that grew into a deeper love was so fun to read. It was especially fun to hear the excitement in my daughter as she saw their love story unfold.

Laura is such a hard worker, and I love that about her. It's also really sweet to see her relationship with Pa and Ma grow and evolve.

I still just don't care for Mary. She's spoiled and entitled. Everyone bends over backward for her, works double time to pay for everything for her, and she just expects it all to happen. Gag me.

I think this is one of my favorites in the series. My daughter loved it, especially the parts with Almanzo, (typical romantic girl

I am very bitter about the $100 organ Pa insisted Laura needed to buy for Mary to play during her visits home (for a couple of weeks every other year or something). This was the money nobody could afford to waste.

This covers the last few years of Laura's schooling, her teaching school, courtship with her future husband (not a spoiler, since it's in her surname as the author), and other things. There is at least one very trying period, but the title tells it all--overall things are getting better for the Ingalls family. This book is one of the most heartwarming for me of the entire series. The courtship of Almanzo and Laura is one of my favourites since she is quite reluctant for some time, and we can see all of his inborn and learned patience come to play over those years. Of course, there is a sequel or two, but I won't be rereading them just now.

I love this series so much!

Delightful. This might be my favorite of the Little House books.