Books About Frontier And Pioneer Life · 171 titles considered

The Best Frontier And Pioneer Life Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about frontier and pioneer life? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Frontier And Pioneer Life

Sale price

$958

Chapter Book · Ages 7–11 · 1932

Little House in the Big Woods

By Laura Ingalls Wilder, Garth Williams (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the Little House on the Prairie series

A young girl and her family live in a log cabin in the Big Woods of Wisconsin during the late 19th century.

238 pages· 33,170 words· Est. 4.5 hour read

6.1/7 Bookroo·4.2/5 Goodreads · 291,539 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: In 1871 Wisconsin, young Laura Ingalls and her family navigate the trials of pioneer life. Amidst harsh winters and self-sufficiency, they find joy in homemade Christmases, spring plantings, and Pa's soothing fiddle. As they prepare for their first trip to town, Laura's story unfolds, capturing the essence of frontier resilience and familial warmth. What adventures and challenges await in the Big Woods?

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 7–11 · 1935

Caddie Woodlawn

By Carol Ryrie Brink · Book #1 in the Caddie Woodlawn series

A spirited girl defies norms, befriends outsiders, and challenges her world.

Newbery Medal (1936)

288 pages· 51,591 words· Est. 7 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 54,427 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Caddie Woodlawn is no ordinary girl. Preferring adventure over domestic duties, she hunts, plows, and takes on her brother's dares. Her friendship with Native Americans sets her apart in a community filled with fear and misunderstanding. Based on true stories, Caddie's courage and zest for life challenge societal norms and captivate readers. Will her bold spirit bridge the gap between her world and the one she dreams of? Discover the timeless tale of a girl who dares to be different.

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 6–10 · 1985

Sarah, Plain and Tall

By Patricia MacLachlan · Book #1 in the Sarah, Plain and Tall Saga series

A young girl and her brother await the arrival of a potential stepmother from Maine, who may bring much-needed change to their lives on the prairie.

Newbery Medal (1986)Golden Kite Award (1986)Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction (1986)

112 pages· 8,388 words· Est. 1.5 hour read

5.0/7 Bookroo·3.9/5 Goodreads · 92,225 ratings

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Mass Market Paperbound

Summary: In the late 1800s, young Anna and her brother Caleb eagerly await the arrival of Sarah, a woman from Maine answering their father's ad for a wife. As Sarah steps into their prairie life, the children wonder if she will fill the void left by their mother. Will Sarah's presence bring the warmth and love they crave, or will she leave them longing once more? This tender tale explores themes of hope, belonging, and the bonds that make a family.

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2013

One Came Home

By Amy Timberlake

A girl defies the odds to uncover the truth about her missing sister in 1871 Wisconsin.

Newbery Honor (2014)

272 pages

3.8/5 Goodreads · 10,754 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: In 1871 Wisconsin, Georgie Burkhardt is known for her sharp aim and blunt honesty. When her sister Agatha vanishes, leaving behind a mysterious body in a familiar dress, Georgie refuses to accept the grim assumptions. Armed with her rifle and determination, she embarks on a perilous quest across the frontier to uncover the truth. Will Georgie's resolve be enough to unravel the mystery and bring Agatha home, or will the wild frontier hold secrets she never imagined?

Sale price

$674

Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 1997

Ghost Town at Sundown

By Mary Pope Osborne, Sal Murdocca (Illustrator) · Book #10 in the Magic Tree House series

Two siblings travel through time and space to solve a mystery in the Wild West

96 pages· 6,451 words· Est. 1 hour read

7.0/7 Bookroo·4.0/5 Goodreads · 15,000 ratings

$6.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Jack and Annie's magic tree house whisks them to the Wild West, where they encounter horse thieves, a lost colt, and rattlesnakes. With a cowboy named Slim by their side, they must solve a mysterious riddle. Is the town haunted, and will a ghost hold the key to their adventure? Join them as they race against time in a thrilling quest filled with danger and excitement.

Sale price

$958

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1937

On the Banks of Plum Creek

By Laura Ingalls Wilder, Garth Williams (Illustrator) · Book #4 in the Little House on the Prairie series

A pioneer family faces nature's fury with resilience and unity on Plum Creek.

Newbery Honor (1938)

339 pages· 55,224 words· Est. 7.5 hour read

6.6/7 Bookroo·4.2/5 Goodreads · 109,554 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Laura Ingalls and her family settle by Plum Creek, embracing frontier life in a sod house. As they adapt, a grasshopper plague and a fierce blizzard threaten their survival. With Pa's fiddle as their solace, they must unite to overcome these trials. Will their spirit endure against nature's relentless challenges? Discover the heartwarming tale of resilience and family bonds in this beloved pioneer saga.

Sale price

$958

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1943

These Happy Golden Years

By Laura Ingalls Wilder, Garth Williams (Illustrator) · Book #8 in the Little House on the Prairie series

Laura faces homesickness and challenges while teaching to support her sister's education.

Newbery Honor (1944)

304 pages· 63,345 words· Est. 9 hour read

6.3/7 Bookroo·4.2/5 Goodreads · 80,707 ratings

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Paperback

Summary: Fifteen-year-old Laura braves teaching in a remote schoolhouse, far from her family, to fund her sister Mary's education. As she navigates homesickness and daunting students, her weekends bring joy with sleigh rides and buggy adventures with Almanzo Wilder. Amidst the challenges, a budding romance offers hope and warmth. Will Laura's determination and newfound love guide her through this pivotal time?

Sale price

$958

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1940

The Long Winter

By Laura Ingalls Wilder, Garth Williams (Illustrator) · Book #6 in the Little House on the Prairie series

A brutal winter traps a town; survival hinges on a daring quest for food.

Newbery Honor (1941)

334 pages· 67,661 words· Est. 9.5 hour read

6.3/7 Bookroo·4.2/5 Goodreads · 94,509 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: In the harsh winter of 1880-81, Laura Ingalls and her family are snowbound in the Dakota Territory. As blizzards isolate their town, food dwindles, threatening starvation. Young Almanzo Wilder embarks on a perilous journey across the prairie to secure wheat. Will his bravery save the town? Experience a unique Christmas celebration in this gripping tale of resilience and hope.

Sale price

$958

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1935

Little House on the Prairie

By Laura Ingalls Wilder, Garth Williams (Illustrator) · Book #3 in the Little House on the Prairie series

A pioneer family faces unexpected challenges on the Kansas prairie.

352 pages· 51,885 words· Est. 7 hour read

6.0/7 Bookroo·4.2/5 Goodreads · 305,701 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Laura Ingalls and her family journey from Wisconsin to Kansas, seeking a new life on the prairie. As they build their home and adapt to frontier life, unexpected conflicts arise. Will they be forced to uproot once more? Join Laura in this tale of resilience and adventure, where the vast prairie holds both promise and peril.

Sale price

$958

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1939

By the Shores of Silver Lake

By Laura Ingalls Wilder, Garth Williams (Illustrator) · Book #5 in the Little House on the Prairie series

A family braves the Dakota wilderness, building a new life by Silver Lake.

Newbery Honor (1940)

290 pages· 57,240 words· Est. 8 hour read

5.8/7 Bookroo·4.2/5 Goodreads · 84,526 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Laura Ingalls and her family leave Plum Creek for the untamed Dakota Territory. As Pa works on the railroad, they settle by Silver Lake, facing a lonely winter and the promise of a new town. Will their pioneering spirit endure in this vast wilderness?

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Frontier And Pioneer Life Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about frontier and pioneer life for preschool and elementary-age readers.

Series

Sale price

$1599

Zaha Hadid

Ages 4–7 · 1921

Discover how a young dreamer reshaped the world with her architectural vision.

Series

Sale price

$999

Christmas in the Big Woods

Ages 4–8 · 1995

Celebrate a simple, joyful Christmas in the Big Woods with Laura's family.

#1 in Series

Sale price

$999

Dance at Grandpa's

Ages 4–8 · 1994

Join a family adventure to a lively party full of music and joy.

#3 in Series

Sale price

$999

Going to Town

Ages 4–8 · 1995

A family's first trip to town brings unexpected wonders and excitement.

#11 in Series

Sale price

$999

A Little Prairie House

Ages 4–8 · 1998

A family builds a new home on the prairie, facing challenges and finding joy in their journey.

#2 in Series

Sale price

$999

Winter Days in the Big Woods

Ages 4–8 · 1994

Winter arrives in the Big Woods; Laura and Mary embrace the season's magic and chores.

#5 in Series

Sale price

$999

The Deer in the Wood

Ages 4–8 · 1995

Two sisters await their father's return from the woods with a special story.

#6 in Series

Sale price

$999

Summertime in the Big Woods

Ages 4–8 · 1996

Summer arrives, and two sisters explore the joys of outdoor adventures.

#14 in Series

Sale price

$999

Sugar Snow

Ages 4–8 · 1998

Late spring snow brings sweet surprises for Laura in the Big Woods.

#9 in Series

Sale price

$999

Prairie Day

Ages 4–8 · 1997

A family journeys across the Kansas prairie seeking a new home.

#10 in Series

Sale price

$999

A Little House Birthday

Ages 4–8 · 1997

Celebrate a memorable fifth birthday in the Big Woods with Laura and her family.

Series

Sale price

$1599

Amelia Earhart

Ages 4–7 · 2016

A daring aviator dreams of flying around the world.

View all frontier and pioneer life picture books

Browse by age

Frontier And Pioneer Life Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about frontier and pioneer life for developing and independent readers.

#9 in Series

Sale price

$999

The First Four Years

Ages 8–11 · 1971

A young woman navigates marriage, motherhood, and farming in the late 19th century American Midwest.

#7 in Series

Sale price

$1299

Little Town on the Prairie

Ages 8–12 · 1941

A young pioneer navigates new social adventures and responsibilities in a growing town.

Series

Sale price

$699

Who Was Laura Ingalls Wilder?

Ages 8–12 · 2013

Discover the real-life adventures behind a beloved frontier classic.

#11 in Series

Sale price

$1489

Laura's Ma

Ages 7–10 · 1999

A girl uncovers her mother's extraordinary talents in their cozy home.

Sale price

$1699

Prairie Lotus

Ages 10–12 · 2020

A girl faces prejudice while pursuing her dreams in 1880s America.

Series

Sale price

$1299

A Little House Sampler

Ages 8–12 · 1988

Discover untold stories that inspired the Little House series, revealing frontier life through Laura and Rose's eyes.

Series

Sale price

$1499

A Little House Christmas Treasury

Ages 8–12 · 1994

Experience Christmas on the prairie with heartwarming tales and vibrant illustrations.

#5 in Series

Sale price

$599

Christmas Stories

Ages 6–10 · 1998

A pioneer girl's Christmases grow more magical each year with gifts and friends.

#3 in Series

Sale price

$699

Animal Adventures

Ages 6–10 · 1994

A pioneer girl faces thrilling animal encounters on the prairie.

Series

Sale price

$699

Who Was Annie Oakley?

Ages 8–11 · 2002

Annie Oakley's life story inspired books, movies, television shows, and Broadway musicals, and changed the image of American women forever

I Survived the Children's Blizzard, 1888

#16 in Series

Sale price

$499

I Survived the Children's Blizzard, 1888

Ages 7–10 · 2018

A city boy faces a deadly blizzard on the prairie. Can he survive?

#2 in Series

Sale price

$899

Wilderness Days

Ages 8–12 · 2002

Abandoned on the frontier, can Jane survive and find love in a wild land?

View all frontier and pioneer life chapter books

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Books about blended families Books about family life Books about missing persons Books about rural living Books about violence

Our 10 Favorite Books About Frontier And Pioneer Life

Great books, picked for their age.

Frontier And Pioneer Life Picture Books

Frontier And Pioneer Life Chapter Books & Middle Grade

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