Articles
Writers

Review of On the Banks of Plum Creek

By Laura Ingalls Wilder, Author of Little House on the Prairie

© Jessica Workman

Jan 7, 2009
Cover of On the Banks of Plum Creek, Garth Williams, HarperTrophy
On the Banks of Plum Creek follows the Ingalls family from Kansas to Minnesota, where they make their new home.

Laura Ingalls Wilder's fourth book, On the Banks of Plum Creek, follows Laura and her family from Kansas to Minnesota, just outside a little town on the banks of Plum Creek. This is the fourth book in the Little House on the Prairie Series and is the basis for the television show, Little House on the Prairie.

Synopsis of On the Banks of Plum Creek

Pa, Ma, Mary, Laura, and Carrie had to leave their home at the end of Little House on the Prairie. They found themselves in Minnesota before Pa was ready to stop. Their first home was made out of sod until Pa could build them a proper house. The only problem with that is that he borrowed money against his first harvest of wheat to pay for the materials to build the house. That fall, a giant plague of grasshoppers invades the area and eats all plant life. Pa then has to walk a long distance to find work that pays enough to feed his family through the winter and take care of his debts. In the meantime, Ma sends the girls to school in town where they are chastized for being "country girls." In response to this, Ma allows them to invite their classmates to a party, where Laura and Nellie Olson have an altercation.

Review of On the Banks of Plum Creek

On the Banks of Plum Creek is one of the more interesting books in the series because it allows readers to see the Ingalls family interact with other characters, which has not happened much since the "sugaring off" party in Little House in the Big Woods. What is particularly interesting is Laura's interpersonal skills as she attends school and learns that Nellie Olson is just not a nice girl. Children can ultimately learn from this part of the book because they will understand that no matter how nasty a person is, it is never nice to trick them in any way.

Another great example of why On the Banks of Plum Creek is a great book for children is the poitive message it sends children about obeying authority figures. Pa forbids Laura to go to a part of the creek because it is too deep and dangerous, but she does anyway is is punished for it.

Not only does this book teach children valuable lessons, it is also enjoyable to read for children and adults who grew up with the series.

Other Books in the Little House on the Prairie Series

  1. Little House in the Big Woods
  2. Little House on the Prairie
  3. Farmer Boy
  4. On the Banks of Plum Creek
  5. By the Shores of Silver Lake
  6. The Long Winter
  7. Little Town on the Prairie
  8. These Happy Golden Years
  9. The First Four Years

Wilder, Laura Ingalls. On the Banks of Plum Creek. HarperTrophy, 1937. 339 pages. ISBN: 9780064400046


The copyright of the article Review of On the Banks of Plum Creek in Children’s Books is owned by Jessica Workman. Permission to republish Review of On the Banks of Plum Creek in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.


Cover of On the Banks of Plum Creek, Garth Williams, HarperTrophy
        


Post this Article to facebook Add this Article to del.icio.us! Digg this Article furl this Article Add this Article to Reddit Add this Article to Technorati Add this Article to Newsvine Add this Article to Windows Live Add this Article to Yahoo Add this Article to StumbleUpon Add this Article to BlinkLists Add this Article to Spurl Add this Article to Google Add this Article to Ask Add this Article to Squidoo

Comments
Feb 3, 2009 6:28 PM
Guest :
This book I came on this and then after i get my reading goal i will read it but i really look forward to reading it I don't think I'll ever wait until the end of the month to start reading a 335 pages and counting
1 Comment:
about us • Limelight Blog • freelance writing jobs • careers • press room • Site Map • Terms & Conditions • Privacy Policy