Yet even when Wilder was writing the Little House series in the 1930s and 1940s, her literary contributions were initially underestimated. None of her books received the American Library Association’s John Newbery Medal, the most distinguished literary award in American children’s literature. The last five—On The Banks of Plum Creek, By The Shores of Silver Lake, The Long Winter, Little Town on The Prairie, and These Happy Golden Years—were named Newbury Honor books, but according to Ursula Nordstrom, Wilder’s editor at Harper & Brothers, Wilder’s books were overlooked for the medal itself because, as one “influential” librarian had told her, the ALA didn’t “like series books.”[1]
The tide turned, however, in 1954, when the ALA created a new medal to recognize an American author who had made “a distinguished, creative, sustained contribution to children’s books.” This new medal would carry Laura Ingalls Wilder’s name, and she would be its first recipient. Wilder was 87. In a letter to illustrator Garth Williams, Nordstrom wrote, “[The Wilder Medal] will, I think, become a more important award than either the Newbery or the Caldecott [presented to illustrators] because it will only be awarded when it can go to some author of real stature.”[2]
Wilder was an author of real stature, and her books—as a series— changed the literary landscape of American children’s literature. Among her accomplishments: she brought a new realism to children’s fiction; pioneered the emerging young adult category (which wasn’t formally recognized by the ALA until 1958); created one of the category’s first compelling disabled characters; inspired future generations of children’s book writers to explore weightier, darker themes in their fiction; and created a heroine who was at once historically authentic and yet refreshingly modern. As her literary agent George Bye had predicted, the Little House series became “an American fixture, something like Little Women and Little Men.”[3]
An Established Literary Movement
Wilder’s literary achievements are even more impressive when you consider that Wilder was part of an established literary movement in the early twentieth century: women writing about female pioneer experiences in the American West, often based on family recollections. In other words, Wilder wasn’t the only American author—for young readers or for adults—who placed female characters at the center of their pioneer novels during this period.
Bess Streeter Aldrich’s adult novel, A Lantern in Her Hand, for example, was published in 1928 and unfolds in Nebraska. It was loosely based on her grandmother’s life.[4] Florence Crannell Means dedicated her largely forgotten Janey Grant series to the pioneer women in her family. Published in 1931, the first novel in the series, A Candle in the Mist, takes place on the Minnesota frontier in the 1870s, and includes a grasshopper plague, a prairie fire, and a deadly blizzard. Janey aspires to become a writer. The outlines of this book are strikingly similar to iconic episodes in the Little House books.
Carol Ryrie Brink’s Caddie Woodlawn was published in 1935 (the same year as Little House on the Prairie), and the following year, won the Newbery Medal. The book’s heroine was loosely based on Brink’s grandmother.[5] Like the fictional Laura Ingalls, Caddie is fearless, bright, and athletic. And just as Little House on the Prairie features the threat of war with Native Americans, so does Caddie Woodlawn. Again, the parallels between Wilder’s Little House books and many episodes in Caddie Woodlawn are pronounced.
Rose Wilder Lane followed in this tradition as well, publishing two adult pioneer novels, Let the Hurricane Roar in 1932, and Free Land in 1937. Both novels sprang directly from her mother’s unpublished autobiography, “Pioneer Girl.” But even with her mother’s memories as the foundation for her books (Lane lifted episodes, descriptions, settings, and even dialogue directly from “Pioneer Girl”), her novels don’t measure up to the Little House books. In fact, if Lane hadn’t been Wilder’s daughter, her novels would probably be long out of print.
Too Good To Be Altogether Lost
So, what did Wilder do that her contemporaries didn’t do? Why did her artistic contributions endure for so many generations? And why have so many of those achievements now been forgotten? My new book, Too Good To Be Altogether Lost: Rediscovering Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House Books, explores these questions, examining each Little House book along with Pioneer Girl and The First Four Years (both published posthumously).
Too Good to Be Altogether Lost also delves into the controversies still swirling around Wilder’s Little House books, including the ALA’s decision in 2018 to strip her name from the medal created in her honor because of “stereotypical attitudes inconsistent” with “core values of inclusiveness, integrity and respect, and responsiveness” – in particular her work’s depictions of Native Americans.[6]
This is a grave and serious charge. Are Wilder’s books racist? How do we evaluate Wilder’s stature now? Is she no longer an author of real stature? As I write in Too Good To Be Altogether Lost, the best way to evaluate Wilder’s Little House books now “is to read them again, and see what they’re really about.”
Notes
- Ursula Nordstrom to Ethel Heins, June 16, 1975, quoted in Dear Genius: The Letters of Ursula Nordstrom, Leonard S. Marcus, ed. (New York: HarperCollins, 1998), 365.
- Ursula Nordstrom to Garth Williams, February 11, 1954, quoted in Dear Genius, 75.
- George Bye to Laura Ingalls Wilder, May 5, 1943, James Oliver Brown Collection, Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University, New York.
- Carol Miles Petersen, Bess Streeter Aldrich (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1995), 5.
- Carol Ryrie Brink, Caddie Woodlawn (New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 1935), p. vi.
- Meagan Flynn, “Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Name Stripped From Children’s Book Award over ‘Little House’ Depictions of Native Americans,” Washington Post, June 6 2018.
Pamela Smith Hill is the author of Laura Ingalls Wilder: A Writer’s Life and the editor of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography. She has taught writing and literature classes at several universities, including a massive open online course on Wilder for Missouri State University. She is also the author of three Young Adult novels.
I have loved Laura Ingalls Wilder my whole life! I have a big collection of her books and books about her! I can’t wait to read this book!
I am so excited to read this story. The Little House books were a staple in my childhood and I continue that with my daughters. We have spent 3 summers now visiting De Smet, SD and have visited the surveyors home and schools that Laura and Carrie attended. Even shopped at the Loftus Store that Pa helped to build. Laura Ingalls Wilder takes us back to a simpler time.
Thank you, Pamela, for addressing these important questions with your newest literary biography of LIW. The Little House series are landmark and benchmark writings which are being lost in today’s schools, libraries and academia. Looking forward to soon reading it and hearing your talk at LP25.
Your Colorado friend,
Connie
Great article Pamela! I feel very deeply that we need to engage with these texts, flaws and all, for a truly complete and nuanced literary understanding. Books like Little House on the Prairie are and were foundational to American literature for kids. During my formative years these books helped me to look into and highlight a past era and the pioneering spirit. Taking these books out of circulation, even with their complex and sometimes dated viewpoints (which absolutely deserve discussion), would really hurt the literary community. It cuts off chances to critically engage with our history and silences stories that have shaped how generations understand the past and storytelling. I look forward to reading your book!
Loved it
Looking forward to reading this book!
I very much enjoyed the entire series of “Little House” books, which I read as an adult, without having ever seen the TV series- yes, really! And they inspired me to read more about the history of the period, and seek it out when I traveled. It always angers me when “this season’s fashions” are used to denigrate, destroy, & “cancel” history, artistic and literary creations, and people, and so I look forward to reading this book.
Laura Ingalls Wilder was the first author I read that made me understand the power of words and stories.
Looks like I have some more books to add to my TBR pile!
Love the history of the Ingalls and Wilder families
Such a sweet, wholesome series. My daughter is reading them to her 8 and 6 year old.
I was like obsessed with Little House on the Prairie books since I was in 3rd grade. I read them so many times, and devoured any biography that I managed to stumbled upon. I was so happy to hear that there are others who love Laura and her books!!!
I have always loved Little House; the show and the books. It would be amazing to get to read the new one coming out!
This book sounds like a fascinating read that I would enjoy as I have always loved the Ingalls family and Mrs. Wilder’s books.
As a child, I enjoyed the stories because they were seen and told from a child’s point of view. It also helped create my love for reading.
Such beloved stories!! My 12 year old self is jumping up and down for these books!!!
The descriptions in Wilder’s books were written so young readers could understand .
Love all things Little House. Love to read anything I can about the Ingalls family!
What a beautifully written reflection on Laura Ingalls Wilder’s enduring impact—your article captures her real stature and the ongoing relevance of her work so eloquently. I’m excited to learn more from you at LauraPalooza next month!
I’m sure I would love the book as I have enjoyed Little House on the Praire since I was a child and love similar stories, thanks!
Looking forward to Toogood to be All Together Lost.
I have read all the little house on the prairie books and love thrm
The world needs this! Thank you!
I am a long time lover of Little House! I read them as a kid, and watched the show. I played Little House with my cousin! Now I am a teacher of third graders, and read books 1 and 2 of her series each year. We also create a Pioneer Book throughout the school year! My room is decked out in antiques from that eras as well as a mug saying of Laura’s on my wall. I love igniting a new passion for Little House to a generation who doesn’t know much, if anything, about it! ❤️ Excited for your book!
I love Little House on the Prairie books
So excited to see this new series as I loved the original
I love to read ANYTHING about the Ingalls family. This looks so interesting.
Am excited to read this new book. Read The Annotated Autobiography.
I am excited to read “Too Good to Be Altogether Lost”, even if I dont win!
I can’t wait to read these books and get a different narrative!!
Can’t wait to read it
this sounds good !
I’m looking forward to reading this new book when it releases.
I can’t wait to read this!
I Love Little House On The Prairie, I Grew Up Loving It.
Thank you very much for this contest. It would be nice to win. I like Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books
I love all things Laura Ingalls Wilder! This book sounds so good and interesting!!!
It will give me a better understanding of Laura and her family.
These are some of my all time favorite books!
I have been a fan of all things Laura since I was about 6 years old and received the boxed set of her “Little House” books. When I heard that there was going to be a tv series, I was over the moon with happiness! When I got a high school job working at our public library, I was excited to find the Little House Cookbook and a Little House book of sheet music. This was all before the internet, so I had no idea there were other books by or about Laura. Since that time, access to the world via the internet allowed me to find and collect LIW books. I eventually became a school librarian and learned of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award. I confess that I was upset about the decision to remove her name from the award. I truly believe Laura’s writings were “of her time” rather than actual racism. I would love this new book by Pamela Smith Hill so I could read her thoughts about the decision.
I’ve read several of Pamela Smith Hill’s books about Laura and took two classes through Canvas. Can’t wait to read this one!
I have always loved to read. I enjoyed the Little House books and the television series.
I was a fan of the Little House books as a young girl in Minnesota and enjoyed the Little House shows as a young married woman. My husband said that I reminded him of Laura, a little tomboy and a sweet daughter!
Laura Ingalls Wilder, her books, and the TV series have been a love of mine since I read Little House in the Big Woods. As a former English major and occasional tutor, learning and reading are two things that I love.
I am looking forward to reading this wonderful book!
I read the little house books when I was a kid. This seems like a great extension
I love LHOTP.
I would like to read “Too Good to be Altogether Lost” because it sounds like it provides an indepth analysis of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House books.
Loved reading Little House books when I was in middle school and watched the TV series.
The Little House on the Prairie series was my favorite book series growing up. I picked up Little House in the Big Woods as an eight-year-old in my second grade teacher’s classroom. I was immediately hooked. Laura was able to write in a way that appealed to all ages. She was able to simplify her storytelling just enough so a child’s mind could understand, yet simultaneously craft her prose to captivate an adult reader. To me, her writing makes you feel as though you are sitting in her home as she is relaying the story of her life to you, as her friend. I was very excited to hear of the upcoming release of your book! I hope to get my hands on a copy quickly to learn of your research and your perspective regarding Laura and her work!
I would love to receive a copy of the book because I read as much as I can regarding LIW.
I am interested in reading the book because I enjoy the Laura Ingles books and her life.
I love anything Laura!
Interested to see what this book consists of
I have always loved LHOTP! Since I was a kid. It was my Halloween costume well into my teenage years. I’m so excited to read this book, I love this author. She has great voice in her writing!
Cannot wait for this book
I have been getting into reading lately and would love to start reading her books
love little house and still watch it ever chance i get
I want to read this book because I have been a lhotp fan for 50 years since I am 59 years old!! My library has a signed Pamela Smith hill book and I have checked it out twice definitely debated never returning it but I always have! I definitely need to win the contest for good karma!
Thanks for this amazing giveaway!!
I collect any and all LHOTP books I can find, and I’d love to read Pamela’s new book!
Three generations of my family enjoyed these books.
sounds like the author did a lot of research and that would help make the book interesting.
My family began watching Little House on the Prairie a few years ago – we took some breaks along the way to research some history – and now we’re almost done with season 4. We have the entire book series and read them together (more than once for some books). Our family loves history and a new book about our favorite series (and timeframe) is something we are looking forward to read.
I would love to read this book as I have spent many hours reading the Little House on the Prairie books. Also loved the tv show and still watch some of the episodes. I think it was a mistake to strip her of her award. You have to look at the time period she was living in. You can’t change what people thought in the past all you can do is learn from it and do better. The Laura Ingalls books are told from her perspective on her life and no one has any right to change that as that is her story.
I loved these books when I was growing up. After I read them at the library, I put them on my Christmas list. Wonderful stories from Laura that are still read & enjoyed today.
It sounds absolutely intriguing and everything more I want to learn about her literary works!!
I read all the Little House books when I was a young girl, I would like to read more about these books.
I really enjoyed the annotated version of Prairie Girl and would love to read the new book!!
Very excited to read this book! Pamela Smith Hill is an excellent researcher and writer. I would enjoy learning about her findings and hearing her opinions on these matters.
I have read all the little house books and would like to read this one because I am very interested in Laura and her family’s life.
Excited to read this!
The Little House books are great to read over and over.
Marilyn
Are you kidding? I read everything I can get my hands on about or related to LHOTP! I may or may not have a room dedicated to Little House and Laura Ingalls.
The Little House on the Prairie series was an integral part of my childhood, and I will always love these books. These days we are much too quick to discount people’s perspectives and sanitize everything. I would be interested in reading “Too Good to Be Altogether Lost” for the author’s insights and opinion.
This book sounds fascinating. I am extremely interesting in reading it.
I have always loved the Little House Books and was unhappy that Laura’s name from stripped from the medal created in her honor, even more so because I am a Children’s Librarian.
So excited for a new book!!
I loved Little House as a child and as an adult. Watched and read with both of my children.
I have been a fan of Little house for over 50 years! I am so excited to see what comes next.
I soooo love little house since I read the books and the series began in 1974. I am same age as Melissa Gilbert and envied her being able to play Laura Ingalls Wilder. I named my daughter Laura Elizabeth after her. I watch Little House whenever I can and feel the need for a wholesome show to watch.
I read all of the books when I was younger and again as an adult. My husband and I visited Laura and Almanzo’s houses and museum in Springfield,Missouri.It was so interesting, we had the best time there.It was very pretty there too.Of course I watched the Little House series and any movies they made.
I am looking forward to reading this. I have been a huge fan of Little House since the early to mid 1970’s.
Exciting!
I have read all of Pamela Smith Hill’s previous books and have heard her speak at Laurapalooza. I am anxious to read her next book.
I want to read all these books because I love all things Pioneer. I read and reread all the Little House books! I love Laura Ingalls Wilder!
My third grade teacher began reading the Little House series to us in class over 60 years ago. I purchased paperback copies when I had babysitting money and later purchased the $4.95 hardback copies each month as a 20 year old at my first real job. My father received copies from me for his birthdays. And I still re-read them. Pioneer Girl opened a wealth of insight to Laura’s books. I was saddened when the American Library Association took away their award; it was given and should remain as it was awarded.
A defense of Laura’s books is very welcome and I look forward to reading it.
Can’t wait to read this and learn more!
Absolutely loved the Annotated Bibliography by Pamela Smith Hill and now have this work on my list of books to read! Sounds fascinating.
I look forward to reading your book as a LHOP fan for decades.
I love the series, I would love to read all the books as well.
I love this so much. Seeing Little House on the Prairie anywhere, just makes my heart smile.
I am so very excited about this. I read all Laura Ingalls Wilder books in elementary school and watched Little House on the Prairie series many, many times and also showed my kids. Nothing like getting lost in a wonderful book!
I have already preordered the book but I would love to have an autographed copy ot it!! I have read other books by Pamela Smith Hill and she is a wonderful writer!!!
I love Little House on the Prairie and loved reading Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books as a child. Little House was a huge part of my childhood and I still enjoy it as an adult. I’d love to rediscover the books and the stories.
I want to read this book to be brought back in time! I have always loved little house and everything about it! Plus history and reenacting is another love of mine and my husband!
I have read every book in the series and love all of them
I love Little House Books! Watched the tv series with my grandmother when I was growing up.
I have been excited about reading this book. I have lots of books on my Laura Ingalls Wilder shelf with each one giving me lots of information. I’m sure this book will be great also!
I grew up reading Little House on the Prairie books. I’m excited to read this!
Very excited.
I am definitely interested in reading, I love LHOTP
I am a life-long fan of the Little House Books – can’t wait to read yours!
I love ALL things Laura Ingalls Wilder. It is sad that so many now do not know about these treasures. I have visited her homestead in Mansfield, and someday, I would love to travel from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and South Dakota to see the other sites that she writes about.
I have always loved the Little House books and the original series. It is wonderful to see the books getting new attention and new perspectives. I look forward to reading Miss Hill’s new book.
I loved the Little House books as a child, as well as the TV series, so I’m always interested in reading books that discuss Laura’s legacy and influence.
I’m sure I read the Little House books as a kid, but I rediscovered them by reading the entire series to my own kids as part of their “summer mommy school” while they were growing up. (I vividly remember how thankful I was to be reading the scary scenes in “The Long Winter” in the middle of summer!) I’ve seen the original 1930s illustrations, but I grew up with the editions illustrated by Garth Williams, which seem to wrap Ms. Wilder’s stories in a “country hug”.
I’m 64, Third grade was a lonely tough year for me but these books which our teacher read from daily made it survivable. I think they taught morality to children whose parents didn’t. I’m excited to bring back such quality.
I have enjoyed the little house books since grade school and love finding out about Laura and family
Reading pioneer books have always been a favorite. Gives our kids a look back into time how it used to be.
I have loved everything Laura Ingalls Wilder related since I was a little girl. Laura was actually my imaginary friend as a little girl.
I can’t wait to read the book!! I love all things little house on the prairie!!!
Such important work. The Little House books provide so much valuable insight into a period in our history. The legacy of the Wilder family should be preserved for future generations.
Sounds interesting to read. Nice to see people still love the books after all this time.
I read every one of the Little House on the Prairie books at least a dozen times as a kid, and still reread them every few years. I won’t say how old I am now.
Little House has been a part of my life for as long as I could read (or be read to). I’m so excited for the publication of this book, I’ve actually pre-ordered it! There are so many good and wonderful reasons to continue reading/sharing/teaching these books. Books like this are also pathways to conversations about race and how we correct mistakes from the past. Can’t wait to read how Ms. Hill addresses all of this!
I am a homeschool mama and this would be excellent background reading for me as we begin a year studying American history using the Little House books as our spine.
I want to know something about the Ingalls I don’t know about.
Everything that has to do with the Ingalls is worth a reading. There’s so much to enjoy in their prairie world!
This looks like an amazing book. I can’t wait to read it.