“It was January in northern New York State, sixty-seven years ago.”

From Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House: Farmer Boy.

While he would one day meet and marry the free-spirited Laura Ingalls, Almanzo Wilder lived a full and busy life as a boy growing up on his family’s New York farm.  Life is not easy for the young boy as each season brings a new wave of chores that keep Almanzo busy from dawn to dusk each day.  Even with his siblings Royal, Eliza Jane, and Alice also helping their parents to run the farm, Almanzo often has to miss school to care for crops, supplies, and animals.  The one thing that Almanzo wants more than anything else in the world is a horse of his own, so when he is tasked with training and caring for two young cows named Star and Bright, the boy knows that this is his chance to show that his is responsible enough for a horse.  While life is difficult for the Wilder family, they are almost always able to find some happiness, whether it is just from being together or enjoying the wonder of the fair when it comes to town.  Through all the ups and downs of his busy life, Almanzo never loses sight of his dream to have a farm and family of his own one day, and it’s this drive that brings him through some unforgettable experiences.

Wilder’s second book in the classic Little House series is unique in its story and characters, but it effortlessly connects with fans of the series through the story’s endearing tone. The illustrations scattered throughout the book add to the simple and sweet story, but the characters are the book’s real driving force.  Farmer Boy is a delightful read that will help readers easily engage with the story from start to finish.