As Little Town at the Crossroads ended, Caroline Quiner (Laura Ingalls Wilder's mother) and her family were facing a move to a new home in Concord, WI. Here, they set off for the small cabin in the woods that is barely habitable. With help from an uncle and neighbors, they fix up their new home and begin to clear the land. The undertaking is difficult, but Caroline's mother is strong and resourceful.

Unfortunately, weeks of summer drought are followed by a severe rainstorm that ruins their crops. The widowed Mrs. Quiner is employed by the neighborhood rich man to provide meals for his laborers. The work is tedious and often unacknowledged, but all of the children help out. One of the workers is very kind, though, and as the story ends, he has proposed marriage to Mrs. Quiner. The tone is gentle and the scenes of pioneering hardship are balanced by scenes of good times. Through it all, the family maintains its closeness and resilience.

The Little House: The Caroline Years Series Titles: