Little Farm in the Ozarks (Little House, The Rocky Ridge Years) [Paperback]

Roger Lea MacBride (Author), David Gilleece (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Meet Rose Wilder, Laura Ingalls Wilder's daughter, and the last of the Little House girls.Going fishing for the first time, starting in a new school, saving the farmhouse from a fire-these are the elements of young Rose Wilder's first year at Rocky Ridge Farm. She has moved there with her parents, Laura and Almanzo, to begin a new life in the Missouri Ozarks. Rose feels out of place as the new girl in her class but gradually gains confidence, and Rocky Ridge truly becomes her home.Little Farm in the Ozarks is the second book in The Rose Years, an ongoing series about another spirited girl from America's most beloved pioneer family.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6-MacBride, Rose Wilder Lane's adopted grandson, takes up where Little House on Rocky Ridge (HarperCollins, 1993) left off, chronicling the further adventures of Rose and her parents, Laura and Almanzo, on their Missouri farm. Eight-year-old Rose experiences the frights and wonders of nature, including a flood and a fire, as well as the challenges of meeting new friends and starting school. The story is underpinned with the authenticity of research and recollection. Although references are made to the earlier book and some familiar characters return, this title can stand alone. Readers meet some new, well-drawn characters as well: down-and-out Swiney, a boy Papa catches trying to steal eggs; the quarrelsome Kennebrew family; and a town girl, Blanche, Rose's school adversary who eventually becomes her friend. This old-fashioned read continues in the "Little House" tradition and will leave fans waiting for the next installment.
Sally Bates Goodroe, Houston Public Library
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

With a pleasing simplicity of description, MacBride portrays life in the Ozarks 100 years ago during the Wilder family's first growing season. The second of The Rocky Ridge Years books details Rose's many adjustments: to different crops, a new school, and unpredictable weather, including a storm that downs the chicken coop. Rose's worries are universal (after a day with a large, wealthier family, she confronts Mama [Laura] about her only-child status), her triumphs familiar (she bests another classmate in a spelldown). Actually, little happens; though a classmate dies, Rose seems more grief-stricken about some baby birds that don't thrive in her care. Still, it's impossible not to be overcome by the sense of continuity with the Little House books, to rejoice with Rose over the glittering prizes of the general store, to relish her pleasure in a new dress, or to revel with her at dogwoods in bloom. Peaceful, wholesome fare. (Fiction. 9-12) -- Copyright ©1994, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; First Harper Trophy Edition edition (April 8, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064405109
• ISBN-13: 978-0064405102
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #58,408 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #44 in Books > Children's Books > Travel & Cultures > Where We Live > Farm Life

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better than Rocky Ridge!, June 28, 2005

By 

Jump5 Fan "Logan Charles Haithcock" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Little Farm in the Ozarks (Little House, The Rocky Ridge Years) (Paperback)

This is the second volume in the Rose Years Little House books,and I think it may be better than the first!It continues the story of Laura Ingalls Wilder`s daughter,Rose Wilder!Rose is finally getting adjusted to her new life in their little farm in the ozarks,and in this book,she meets new friends including two brothers named Swiney and Abe,two twins named Dora and Cora,and later befriends a town girl named Blanche.Rose and her Mama and Papa also face many challenges in this book;but later have better adventures!Rose almost burns the house down when leaving the bread baking,but she and her friend Swiney put it out.Some old friends also return in this book including Laura`s friend Alva,M.r and Mrs. Cooley,M.r. and Mrs. Cooley`s sons named Paul and George,and of course Rose and her Mama(Laura) And Papa(Almanzo)!Roger Lea Macbride has the same touch for writing pioneer stories and making them magical as Laura Ingalls Wilder did!Definately reccomended for any Little House or Laura Ingalls Wilder fan!

Look for these other "Little House:The Rose Years" titles avalible now by Roger Lea Macbride!:
Little House On Rocky Ridge
In The Land Of The Big Red Apple
On The Other Side Of The Hill
Little Town In The Ozarks
On The Banks Of The Bayou
New Dawn On Rocky Ridge
Bachelor Girl
Rose Wilder Lane:Her Story

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars "TWO REASONS TO BE PROUD", March 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Little Farm in the Ozarks (Little House) (Hardcover)

Just when you thought you had read the entire LITTLE HOUSE series, you discover with delight that there are two more books, although not penned by Laura herself. These two Rocky Ridge sequels continue the saga of a grown up Laura Ingalls Wilder--this time focusing on her only duaghter, Rose. This 8-year-old charms us with gentle, homespun tales of their first year in the wilds of the Missouri Ozarks. We have long loved Laura as a spunky prairie girl, so we naturally continue to love her as a maternal figure, still struggling with the harsh realities of farm life.

Written by Laura's adopted grandson, LITTLE FARM can not quite capture the magic of Laura's style, for a biography can never be as vivid as actual memories. Fortunately the family resemblance remains. True, there is less excitement and action in this book, but then, one can not reinvent someone's real life merely to increase the dramatic content of a book. Perhaps the midwest was more tamed by 1895, when Rose won her special prize. We also wonder whose side MacBride champions, when we recall the bitter, posthumous feud between Rose and Laura (advocated by her literary admirers) over authorship of some of the books.

Still loyal LITTLE HOUSE fans will appreciate this latter-day glimpse into Laura's married life. We understand that this is Laura's last move--she yearns to put down roots somewhere, even far from De Smet, Nebraska. Her home at Rocky Ridge still exists and is open to the public as a museum and literary mecca. The simple story unfolds about a young girl meeting the challenges of life on a new farm and in a new, town school. The book appears thick, but it reads quickly. The family values and pioneer virtues are timeless. Read this book to learn why Rose's parents have two reasons to be proud of her. She herself has two reasons to be proud: our beloved Laura (Bess) and Almanzo (Manly), whose own childhood is preserved in my favorite LH book, FARMER BOY. This story will appeal to preteen girls and all LITTLE HOUSE fans. (Will MacBride continue the saga until Laura's death, thus forever dropping the curtain on the Wilders?)

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful story! Five stars!!, August 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Little Farm in the Ozarks (Little House, The Rocky Ridge Years) (Paperback)

This is a great story telling of the early struggles that Rose had to face with her family to build up the farm.Anyone who says this story is poorly written,or things like that are freaks!It's just a childrens book!!These people need a life!