Rose Wilder, daughter of Laura Ingalls Wilder, is a lively nine year old living at Rocky Ridge Farm in the Ozarks. Rose and her parents have settled in nicely to life in the Ozarks. Rose has a new house to live in and for the first time in her life she has her own room. Rose is thrilled when Abe, her family's hired hand, marries beautiful Effie, the older sister of her friend Alva. Rose attends the wedding and Shivaree, which is the noise and merriment that well-wishers make on the wedding night. Effie and Abe plan to live in a log cabin on Rocky Ridge farm with Abe's younger brother Swiney. Rose is delighted by the fact that there will be more people living at the farm. As an only child Rose loves having an extended family, particularly since Grandma and Grandpa Ingalls are living so far away. Rose has plenty of chores to keep her busy: separating the milk, helping cook dinner and churning butter. For the first time the Wilders farm is prosperous and they begin to reap the benefits of their hard labor. When 8 year old Swiney refuses to mind Effie and help out with the housework, Effie tells him to help out around the house or git. Swiney tells her that he's a man and shouldn't be expected to do woman's work. Swiney takes off, ending up at the Wilder's home. When Swiney arrives he tells the Wilders about what has transpired with Effie. Rose steps in and offers to do the housework with Effie, and in return, Swiney tells Rose that he will do her chores. Rose enjoys spending time with Effie, particularly their tea time and girl talk. Effie talks of filling her home with babies and Rose can't wait to hold Effie's baby in her arms. As the school year begins Rose is dismayed to meet her new teacher, Professor Crowe. Although Rose loves being in class with her best friend, Blanche, Rose thinks Mr. Crowe is mean and cross with the children. When the boys in the classroom end up playing tricks on Mr. Crowe, he quits his position. Rose's new teacher is the kind Ms. Honeycutt, who rules the classroom with grace and patience. As winter turns to spring, Effie announces that she will soon have a baby. On the day that Effie goes into labor a cyclone touches down in the Ozarks while Rose and Swiney are home alone.
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The review of this Book prepared by Sandra Calhoune
