“Wake up, Hilda, it’s almost time to get off the train.”

From Matilda Nordtvedt’s Song of the Brook.

After a rocky start as a blended family, Hilda has definitely come to appreciate the love, joy, and blessing that her new life brings her. When Papa and Mama move the family from Minnesota to Washington, Hilda, stepbrother John, little sister Lois, and baby brother Sigurd face an entirely new set of challenges. The family’s new home is full of potential, but because it is also very remote, Hilda struggles with some jealousy of what other members of Papa’s family–who are much more established in the area–have access to. Things are difficult for Hilda’s family as they are new to the area and trying to make a home for themselves in the unfamiliar place. When Papa and Mama learn that one of Hilda’s cousins has run away from home, they announce that the other two cousins will be staying with them… much to Hilda’s angry disappointment. However, while exploring along a special brook, Hilda discovers a secret hiding place that will change her outlook on her new life forever.

The follow-up book to Secret in the Maple Tree sees a definite shift for the relatable characters. The genuineness of the characters and the gently-developing story act as the book’s driving force, which helps the reader connect with the often-forgotten way of life from the past. Song of the Brook is a sweetly inspiring story that will keep readers engaged from start to finish, and is a must read for fans of the Little House series.