This book paints such a picture of the farm it took place on that I wish I could live there too...or at least visit in more than just my imagination! READ THIS BOOK! You will love it. It takes place after the Civil War and is about what I would call as close to perfect a family as you could ask for! It teaches the importance of having God in your life and the joy it brings. Father even gave up some of his land to build their church on. It teaches how important family is. I love this quote that from the book when Shelley (one of 12 children the Stanton family was blessed with) is going through a hard time over a broken heart: "Of course you do, child," said mother. "Families were made to cling together, and stand by each other in every circumstance of life-joy or sorrow. Of course you need your family."
This book also teaches about the importance of education. Little Sister (the little girl who is the narrator is nicknamed this by her beloved older, perfect brother, Laddie) loves to be outside and puts off going to school for 2 years and then has a hard time wearing shoes (she goes barefoot everywhere but church and school), and sitting still in school. She is truly educated at home and her parents don't push her to go to school until she is ready. She knows all there is to know about the world around her on the farm and seems to learn even less in school. Of school she said: "Schoolhouses are made wrong. If they must be, they should be built in a woods pasture beside a stream, where you could wade, swim, and be comfortable in summer and slide and skate in winter. The windows should be cut to the floor, and stand wide open, so the birds and butterflies could pass through. You ought to learn your geography by climbing the hill, walking through a valley, wading creeks, making islands in them, and promonotories, capes, and penisulas along the bank. You should do your arithmetic sitting under trees adding hickory-nuts, subtracting walnuts, multiplying butternuts, and dividing hazelnuts. You could use apples for fractions, and tin cups for liquid measure. You could spell everything in sight and this would teach you the words that are really used in the world." That sounds like the best kind of school to me! Mother tries to explains to a grumpy neighbor, Mr Pryor, how it is their children seem to have been so well educated. She explains how they did it by saying: "By educating ourselves before their coming, and with then afterward. Self-control, study, work, joy of life, satisfaction with what we have had, never-ending strife to go higher, and to do better." At one point in the book Father is talking to Dr. Fenner (the local doctor) and is concerned that Mother doubts she can ever teach Little Sister to sew or become a housewife. To this Dr. Fenner says: "She isn't cut out for a seamstress or a housewife, Paul. Tell Ruth not to try to force those things on her. Turn her loose out of doors: give her good books, and leave her alone. You won't be disappointed in the woman who evolves." It seems Little Sister was born early and I spent the whole time I was reading thinking how intelligent and observant she seemed, but not really knowing her age (maybe I just missed it. It says she put off going to school 2 years..Back then they didn't go until they were 7 right? Maybe she was 9 when the book starts? I am going to have to go back and see if I missed it somewhere..). I found myself wondering if she had a learning disability based on the discussion between the Dr. and Father. I doubt it though. Maybe she is just a late bloomer...She seems SO bright and full of life, but there are parts that make me try to diagnose her with today's childhood issues, rather than just assuming she is just a little different from the other girls in her family. You have to read this book and let me know what you think!!! If you read it, you will love it. It is a true classic!
Read it and tell me what you think! I haven't even gone back to reread this so sorry if it makes no sense. I was just too excited to wait. Now I have to get ready in record time to make it to work!!! :)
