Farmer Boy

Written by Laura Ingalls Wilder · Illustrated by Garth Williams

Book #2 in the Little House on the Prairie series

A young farmer dreams of owning a horse, facing challenges and responsibilities on a New York farm.

5.3/7 Bookroo expert·4.1/5 Goodreads · 77,260 ratings

384 pages· 57,070 words· Est. 8 hour read· 820L

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Bookroo's summary

On a bustling New York farm, young Almanzo Wilder dreams of owning his own horse. Amidst the rhythms of planting, harvesting, and winter chores, he must prove his readiness for responsibility. As fairs and peddlers bring moments of joy, Almanzo's journey unfolds with the promise of growth and adventure. Will he earn the trust needed to fulfill his dream?

From the publisher

While Laura Ingalls grows up in a little house on the western prairie, Almanzo Wilder is living on a big farm in New York State. Here Almanzo and his brother and sisters help with the summer planting and fall harvest. In winter there is wood to be chopped and great slabs of ice to be cut from the river and stored. Time for fun comes when the jolly tin peddler visits, or best of all, when the fair comes to town. This is Laura Ingalls Wilder’s beloved story of how her husband Almanzo grew up as a farmer boy far from the little house where Laura lived.

At a glance

Format
Pages: 384
Words: 57,070
Reading age: 8–12
Audience: Middle Grade
Lexile: 820L

Themes & topics

Books about farm animals Books about family life Books about family Books about 19th century Books about rural living

What readers & critics say

Reviews

5.3

out of 7

5.3

“In this installment of the Little House series, the reader takes a break from hearing about Laura and Mary's exploits on the prairie and, instead, learns about life during the same period on a farm. It's kind of fun to learn about a different lifestyle, but also feels like a departure from the narrative of the rest of the series, since Almanzo doesn't play a role in Laura's story until the later books. It's definitely worth reading, but it would be okay to skip if you had a reader who just wasn't into it.”

Lauren Hancock

Trusted reviewer

The author