These Happy Golden Years

These Happy Golden Years by Laura Ingalls Wilder is the eighth book in the Little House series, continuing the story of Laura's young pioneer life. Laura writes of her late teen years; of becoming a schoolteacher at age 15 to marrying Almanzo Wilder at age 18. The Ingalls family encounters fewer hardships during these years, because DeSmet was becoming a real town, but reading this book certainly still offers a contrast with our modern era.

I loved These Happy Golden Years. The excitement of the Ingalls family buying a sewing machine (instead of sewing all clothes by hand!), the difficulties of teaching school in the late 1800's, and Laura's romance with Almanzo had me utterly charmed. The romance in particular had my interest, because at first it seems that Laura does not understand why Almanzo pays attention to her; they finally share their first kiss when they become engaged.

I was also fascinated with Laura's first teaching job. Laura was forced to board with family 12 miles away from her home, and the woman of the house was anything but pleasant to her. Modern readers will recognize that this woman was likely suffering from a depression - or possibly even a more severe mental illness - brought on by the difficulty and loneliness of pioneer life.

The stories Laura includes are delightful, and for the most part happy. Upon finishing this book, I had a strong sense of nostalgia (if that's the right word) for Laura's childhood. Despite all the difficulties of life on the prairie, the Ingalls family never gives up, and they continue to depend upon each other for love and assistance.

The whole Little House series is worth reading. I have seen it available as a set of all nine books, which would make a wonderful holiday gift for an elementary school child.