Prairie Songs

Pam Conrad

6/29/2003

Louisa and her family live on the Nebraska prairie. Their home is a "soddy"; their neighbors are miles away, A new doctor and his wife are coming in from New York. When her father and the neighbor arrive in the wagon with the new couple, Louisa is amazed.

Emmaline Berryman is different from anyone Louisa has seen living in Nebraska. Her husband later describes her as a "hot house flower", a term Louisa doesn't understand. She has pretty pastel dresses and soft, unweathered skin. Louisa and her shy brother Lester are entranced. Unfortunately, Emmaline doesn't take to her new surroundings the same way.

This historical children's book is similar in tone to Little House on the Prairie or Caddie Woodlawn, although shorter. The story is told from Louisa's first person viewpoint. The nostalgic overtone is different, more down-to-earth. Conrad uses Prairie Songs to show the harshness of the settlers' lives as well as the beauty of the land. The pictures are well drawn for the 10 year old age group, the intended youngest audience.

I can recommend this as a companion piece to the other books that are similar. It is harsher than I remember the others, yet still appropriate for children. It's a good slice of life look at life on the American prairie over 100 years ago.

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