This story of Laura's husband Almanzo as a boy is a delightful tale of growing up on a big farm in the mid 19th century. While the story focuses around Almanzo, his brother Royal and sisters Eliza Jane and Alice play an important part in the overall story of growth and family life. Life on a farm, then as now, is full of chores and hard work regardless of one's age. Everyone on the farm helped with the work and enjoyed the benefits of their work.
One of the underlying themes is Almanzo's position as youngest in the family, the problems it causes him and his desires to do the big important work. He loved horses and really wanted to work with the young horses but his father did not believe Almanzo was smart or strong enough to handle the them yet so he was stuck taking care of the cows, pigs and other animals. Yet his goal was always to handle and train the horses. As readers find out in later books of the series, Almanzo finally does get his horses but for this story, he is too young.
Children can all relate to the chores in the story even if they are different from what children today do. Rules, school work, obedience are all running throughout the story and transcend time and place.
This excellent story appeals to girls and boys alike regardless of their age.
Age range: 9 to 12
Wilder, L.I. Farmer Boy. 1933. New York: Harper Collins.
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