4 stars

So descriptive! I love the detailed food descriptions, watching Almonzo grow up and become a young man, and the family’s strong love for one another.

I don’t know why I love this book, but I do. It’s so warm and cozy. I prefer it over almost all of the books in this series ("These Happy Golden Years" is better though). Definitely on my list of books for my children. It’s easy and engaging. Like the rest of this series, each chapter is a story of its own. Kind of like "Walk Two Moons".

You know, I think I enjoyed this book even more than the first two. I’m familiar with Laura’s story, and feel as if I know her well. But this was my first introduction to Almanzo, who I knew absolutely nothing about. Life through the eyes of this little farmer boy was vibrant and fascinating, and I learned something new on almost every page. Almanzo’s life is far different from Laura’s. Almanzo’s family is affluent, and runs a very large farm with lots of livestock, unlike Laura’s family who can pack up their entire lives into the back of a wagon. Almanzo loves life on the farm more than anything; he goes about his chores as if they’re his passion, because he hopes that they’re paving the way for him to follow in his Father’s footsteps. As with the two preceding novels, this book contained more description of life on the farm than it did plot or characterization. I don’t think these books would’ve been nearly as successful without this level of description. When someone picks up a book in the Little House series, they want to be transported back in time and experience life on the prairie or in the Big Woods or on a farm. And that’s exactly what we’re given.

this just beat little house in the big woods as my favorite little house book! i loved reading about all of almanzo's chores and the wonderful food he ate, as well as breaking in the calves.

One of the best books in this series ever.

This third Little House book was interesting! I loved getting to read about different characters across the United States. I can't wait for the friends I've made in this book to meet up with the friends I have from the first two books out west - I sure do hope this happens!