Most everyone is familiar with Laura Ingalls Wilder, especially since it was made into a TV series. But how many of you know about Caddie Woodlawn, another Wisconsin "pioneer girl"? I remember being fascinated with the book when I was in grade school, probably partially because Caddie lived in Wisconsin. The book is still in print (you can look it up on any of the online bookstores to read about it), or maybe I should say reprint. There are even a couple of copies available on eBay right now.

Website for Dunn Co. Historical Society page on Caddie Woodlawn: http://www.discover-net.com/~dchs/sitecw.html And quoted from that site: "In 1857 John Woodhouse, with his wife Harriet and their five children, moved from the relative comforts of Boston to 160 acres of rugged Dunn County wilderness. One of the children was Caroline Augusta, who inspired "Caddie Woodlawn" in a book written by her granddaughter, Carol Ryrie Brink. The book won the 1935 Newbery Award for children's literature. It is considered a classic and is still a popular story read by thousands of children throughout the world."

I also found a teacher's resource site: http://www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/score/caddie/caddietg.html I don't have kids, but if I was a homeschooling homesteader (or just a homesteader with kids), the kids would be reading this book.

Another book I LOVED as a child was "A Lantern in Her Hand" by Bess Streeter Aldrich, also still in reprint.

-- Joy Froelich (dragnfly@chorus.net), December 15, 2000

Answers

I haven't read the Caddie Woodlawn books, but I've seen the movie, I believe it's a Family Features Presentation. "A Latern In Her Hand" has been my favorite book since high school. (see book thread). I keep meaning to order a copy, it's been too long since I read it. The other Bess Streeter Aldrich books are good, but Latern's the best imo. They made a movie (sorta) based on it some years ago, But beyond the title and a scenes that was about it.

-- Cindy (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), December 15, 2000.

There's also a sequel to "Caddie" called "Magical Melons" (or "Magic Melons.")

-- Christina (introibo2000@yahoo.com), December 15, 2000.