By the Shores of Silver Lake is the fourth book in (the MOST) fabulous series (EVER) known as the Little House on the Prairie books. I certainly recommend reading the entire series in chronological order. There are 7 books in the series proper, and a few other spin-off books, which you will want to read after you have grown to love the family of the original books.
These are works of fiction, but they are true stories. They are the result of Laura Ingalls Wilder telling the story of her childhood to her daughter, who then helped her to write the stories down into books. Laura was born into a cabin in a forest in Wisconsin in 1867. When she was very young her family left Wisconsin and travelled across America, trying to settle in what was then wild country and newly acquired lands. Through Laura’s eyes we see the history of North American Settlers.
I cannot think of a better way to learn about the life of the early settlers. The details in the books are incredible. We see everything about their lives and characters, with such truthfulness and awareness that is difficult to find. We live with these people and we experience the world in the most immediate way. The historical value of these books is immense. They are a treasure chest of early American folk history.
Additionally, the books have just as much literary value. The stories are told with simplicity and honesty, and they are very much a joy to read. Finally, what makes these books AMAZING is that the characters we meet within them are exceptionally beautiful and interesting. Laura and her family will capture your imagination and your heart. I cannot recommend this series of books enough. They are gems of Anglo-Saxon writing.
In this fourth book the family move again to get work. By the Shores of Silver Lake is a book about South Dakota in the late 1800’s. Laura’s older sister has lived through scarlet fever that leaves her blind for the rest of her life. This book tells a lot about how the sisters adapt and deal with this disability. Their approach is inspiring.
Another notable point in the book comes when the mother advises Laura on how to behave like a dignified young lady around men. The books overall contain almost no moral dictates, which is nice. A rare instance comes in this book, however, and I found the advice to the point. It helped me to understand much of the difference in behaviour between previous societies and our own. I’ll leave it to you to find the quote.
The books follow in chronological order, so you will want to read them in order. Make a point of reading these books. You will meet people you could not have imagined.
