Prairie Songs

This book is currently (November 2012) out of print, but still widely available used and through libraries.

We like Pam Conrad's Prairie Songs because it shows that, while many settlers adapted to the hardships and beauty of the prairie, some did not. Louisa, like the more familiar Laura Ingalls loves Nebraska and so does her family.

But the situation is different for a young doctor who builds a sod house and brings his Philadelphia bride, Emmeline to live there. Emmeline is overwhelmed by the hardships of prairie life. Eventually, it is too much and the woman is driven to madness.

The setting is the Nebraska prairie and the characters are extremely well done as is the portrayal of the time and place. Emmeline is one of the few characters we've found in children's fiction who just couldn't survive in that vast and harsh environment.

Related Books

• Grasshopper Summer by Ann Turner

• Dandelions by Eve Bunting

• Araminta's Paint Box by Karen Ackerman

Related Areas Within Carol Hurst's Children's Literature Web Site

• US History Through Kids' Books
  Subject Category with links to subtopics, articles, classroom activities, recommended books and links.