Description
Long hidden in archives, Laura Ingalls Wilder's original handwritten autobiography is a tribute to her family and her experiences as a pioneer. Written for an older audience, Pioneer Girl is her first-person narrative of the settling of Dakota Territory, the building of the railroad west, and life as a pioneer. The stories in this autobiography formed the basis of Wilder's international best-selling autobiographical novels, known as the Little House Series. For the first time, readers will have full access to the original manuscript that began it all.
Written in six tablets on lined paper, Pioneer Girl follows the Ingalls family through Kansas, Missouri, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, back to Minnesota, and on to Dakota Territory over a sixteen-year period. Using revised Pioneer Girl manuscripts edited by Wilder's daughter Rose Wilder Lane, letters written between Wilder and Lane, photographs, newspapers, and other sources, Pamela Smith Hill and other editors of the Pioneer Girl Project lead readers through Wilder's early recollections and her first attempts at publication. While Laura Ingalls Wilder is a familiar figure, Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography re-introduces readers to the woman who defines the pioneer experience and gives new insight into her motivations and experiences.
For more information visit: www.pioneergirlproject.org
About the Author
Pamela Smith Hill is the award-winning author of the South Dakota State Historical Society Press book Laura Ingalls Wilder: A Writer's Life, along with three award-winning historical novels for young adults - Ghost Horses, The Last Grail Keeper, and Voice from the Border. She now lives in Portland, Oregon, after growing up in Missouri and starting her writing career in South Dakota.
Reviews
Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography offers Wilder's complete first draft of her own story, enhanced by scrupulous and wide-ranging new research. . . . And I'm happy to say is a treasure. . . . Wilder pulls off the difficult trick of telling a rich, satisfying story about good people being good. The Pa of Pioneer Girl is still a selfless provider, Ma is a skilled homemaker, Mary a prim playmate, and Laura a good-hearted tomboy. Their stories may have been tidied up on the path between nonfiction and fiction, but their characters remain reassuringly intact. . . . Pioneer Girl is a welcome reminder of the power, even the genius of the Little House books. . . . this annotated edition of Pioneer Girl will deepen and enrich a great American story." - Ruth Graham, The Slate Book Review
"Wilder's memoir is a fascinating piece of American history, but it's the annotations that set Pioneer Girl apart as the most important work of its kind. . . . It thrills with new insights and mature content, educates with historical facts and documentation, and enlightens with cultural perspective and commentary, all while maintaining the spirit of adventure and integrity that is the backbone of the Little House world and Wilder herself. . . . in and of itself, Pioneer Girl is a fascinating slice of Americana, but it is Hill's annotations, based on years of research and the efforts of the Pioneer Girl Project contributors, that set Pioneer Girl apart as the most important and relevant work of its kind. . . . With Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography, Hill has ensured that not only will Laura Ingalls Wilder continue to inspire, but that her audience will grow and expand for generations to come." - Pallas Gates McCorquodale, Foreword Reviews Magazine
"Pioneer Girl Perspectives is a valuable contribution to Wilder scholarship, assembling new essays from many of the more familiar names in the field. . . . The collection does a fine job of historicizing the Little House books. Those who teach these books and struggle to separate the history from the fiction will find it a useful resource." - A. Waller Hastings, Children's Literature Association Quarterly
Pioneer Girl Perspectives "was originally meant to address how the publication of Pioneer Girl shapes our understanding of Wilder and her work. However, contributors take their considerations in a number of new directions, including the life and works of Wilder's daughter, Rose Wilder Lane, the popularity of the Little House books, and the books' literary value. . . . An excellent book. . . . It includes many illustrations from the original Helen Sewell editions of the Little House books as well as historical photos of Wilder, Lane and others. Many essays fill gaps in Wilder scholarship or bring together what is already known in helpful ways. It is a worthy companion to Pioneer Girl on the shelves of anyone interested in the Little House books and the way that they depict the West-and the Midwest." - John J. Fry, Annals of Iowa
"The essays offer a rich diversity of subject matter. . . . [striking] a balance between hagiography and expose; all are even-handed in their treatment of Wilder's life and writing, not glossing over views she held that clash with modern sensibilities. These informative essays will be of considerable interest to Wilder fans and scholars." - Publishers Weekly
"Pioneer Girl Perspectives is a scholarly investigation of the life and literary endeavors of the beloved author, Laura Ingalls Wilder. . . My favorite part was the additional information about Laura Ingalls Wilder's life and legacy beyond the Little House on the Prairie series. Pioneer Girl Perspectives is not light reading, but worth the effort for someone who grew up reading Laura Ingalls Wilder and is interested in delving into the social implications of her work." - Candace Simar, Western Writers of America: Roundup Magazine
"This is a wonderful addition to Laura Ingalls Wilder collections, particularly if you're interested in learning more about Laura, beyond the books. Any Wilder fan would be happy to have this one in their personal library, I'm sure!" - The Geeky Bibliophile
"Speaking as a lifelong reader of all things Little House-related, I can't recommend this book too highly. Following the publication of the peerless Pioneer Girl, The Annotated Autobiography, this new book is the perfect appendix, and then some. Edited (superbly) and introduced by Nancy Tystad Koupal, . . . this collection of scholarly, informative, and compelling essays provide the reader with much invaluable information, lore, facts, and in-depth studies of every nature of Laura's life, the inception, composition and publication of her books, what the back stories are; the realities, myths, and clarification of life out on the harsh, brutal prairies, the nature of pioneer living, and much in the way of psychological, cultural, and societal insights. Much of it is sobering, and even grim, but as always with the Ingalls and the Wilders, their steadfast spirit is a sure testament to their learned toughness and fortitude. Many lessons for living come through these pages." - Niel Rishoi, Amazon Reviewer
"This collection features essays by scholars and are written in an accessible, readable way. The articles will appeal to fans of Laura Ingalls Wilder and others who are interested in learning more about her writing/books/career, life, family and the times she lived in. After reading these essays, I now want to go back and re-read the annotated Pioneer Girl." - Goodreads reviewer
"This a very interesting book that I would recommend for anyone that would like to learn more about the little house series and Mrs. Wilder herself. This book does explain some of the hardships that Mrs. Wilder faced and explains about her writing style. Also, it provides information about the sometimes difficult relationship she shared with her daughter Rose Wilder Lane. There is a great deal of information about the challenges that Mrs. Wilder faced in getting her little house series published." - Goodreads reviewer
Awards
Winner of Midwest Booksellers' Choice Award (Nonfiction) 2015.
Book Information
ISBN 9780984504176
Author Pamela Smith Hill
Format Hardback
Page Count 472
Imprint South Dakota State Historical Society
Publisher South Dakota State Historical Society
Weight(grams) 1470g
Dimensions(mm) 257mm * 249mm * 32mm
Written in six tablets on lined paper, Pioneer Girl follows the Ingalls family through Kansas, Missouri, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, back to Minnesota, and on to Dakota Territory over a sixteen-year period. Using revised Pioneer Girl manuscripts edited by Wilder's daughter Rose Wilder Lane, letters written between Wilder and Lane, photographs, newspapers, and other sources, Pamela Smith Hill and other editors of the Pioneer Girl Project lead readers through Wilder's early recollections and her first attempts at publication. While Laura Ingalls Wilder is a familiar figure, Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography re-introduces readers to the woman who defines the pioneer experience and gives new insight into her motivations and experiences.
For more information visit: www.pioneergirlproject.org
About the Author
Pamela Smith Hill is the award-winning author of the South Dakota State Historical Society Press book Laura Ingalls Wilder: A Writer's Life, along with three award-winning historical novels for young adults - Ghost Horses, The Last Grail Keeper, and Voice from the Border. She now lives in Portland, Oregon, after growing up in Missouri and starting her writing career in South Dakota.
Reviews
Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography offers Wilder's complete first draft of her own story, enhanced by scrupulous and wide-ranging new research. . . . And I'm happy to say is a treasure. . . . Wilder pulls off the difficult trick of telling a rich, satisfying story about good people being good. The Pa of Pioneer Girl is still a selfless provider, Ma is a skilled homemaker, Mary a prim playmate, and Laura a good-hearted tomboy. Their stories may have been tidied up on the path between nonfiction and fiction, but their characters remain reassuringly intact. . . . Pioneer Girl is a welcome reminder of the power, even the genius of the Little House books. . . . this annotated edition of Pioneer Girl will deepen and enrich a great American story." - Ruth Graham, The Slate Book Review
"Wilder's memoir is a fascinating piece of American history, but it's the annotations that set Pioneer Girl apart as the most important work of its kind. . . . It thrills with new insights and mature content, educates with historical facts and documentation, and enlightens with cultural perspective and commentary, all while maintaining the spirit of adventure and integrity that is the backbone of the Little House world and Wilder herself. . . . in and of itself, Pioneer Girl is a fascinating slice of Americana, but it is Hill's annotations, based on years of research and the efforts of the Pioneer Girl Project contributors, that set Pioneer Girl apart as the most important and relevant work of its kind. . . . With Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography, Hill has ensured that not only will Laura Ingalls Wilder continue to inspire, but that her audience will grow and expand for generations to come." - Pallas Gates McCorquodale, Foreword Reviews Magazine
"Pioneer Girl Perspectives is a valuable contribution to Wilder scholarship, assembling new essays from many of the more familiar names in the field. . . . The collection does a fine job of historicizing the Little House books. Those who teach these books and struggle to separate the history from the fiction will find it a useful resource." - A. Waller Hastings, Children's Literature Association Quarterly
Pioneer Girl Perspectives "was originally meant to address how the publication of Pioneer Girl shapes our understanding of Wilder and her work. However, contributors take their considerations in a number of new directions, including the life and works of Wilder's daughter, Rose Wilder Lane, the popularity of the Little House books, and the books' literary value. . . . An excellent book. . . . It includes many illustrations from the original Helen Sewell editions of the Little House books as well as historical photos of Wilder, Lane and others. Many essays fill gaps in Wilder scholarship or bring together what is already known in helpful ways. It is a worthy companion to Pioneer Girl on the shelves of anyone interested in the Little House books and the way that they depict the West-and the Midwest." - John J. Fry, Annals of Iowa
"The essays offer a rich diversity of subject matter. . . . [striking] a balance between hagiography and expose; all are even-handed in their treatment of Wilder's life and writing, not glossing over views she held that clash with modern sensibilities. These informative essays will be of considerable interest to Wilder fans and scholars." - Publishers Weekly
"Pioneer Girl Perspectives is a scholarly investigation of the life and literary endeavors of the beloved author, Laura Ingalls Wilder. . . My favorite part was the additional information about Laura Ingalls Wilder's life and legacy beyond the Little House on the Prairie series. Pioneer Girl Perspectives is not light reading, but worth the effort for someone who grew up reading Laura Ingalls Wilder and is interested in delving into the social implications of her work." - Candace Simar, Western Writers of America: Roundup Magazine
"This is a wonderful addition to Laura Ingalls Wilder collections, particularly if you're interested in learning more about Laura, beyond the books. Any Wilder fan would be happy to have this one in their personal library, I'm sure!" - The Geeky Bibliophile
"Speaking as a lifelong reader of all things Little House-related, I can't recommend this book too highly. Following the publication of the peerless Pioneer Girl, The Annotated Autobiography, this new book is the perfect appendix, and then some. Edited (superbly) and introduced by Nancy Tystad Koupal, . . . this collection of scholarly, informative, and compelling essays provide the reader with much invaluable information, lore, facts, and in-depth studies of every nature of Laura's life, the inception, composition and publication of her books, what the back stories are; the realities, myths, and clarification of life out on the harsh, brutal prairies, the nature of pioneer living, and much in the way of psychological, cultural, and societal insights. Much of it is sobering, and even grim, but as always with the Ingalls and the Wilders, their steadfast spirit is a sure testament to their learned toughness and fortitude. Many lessons for living come through these pages." - Niel Rishoi, Amazon Reviewer
"This collection features essays by scholars and are written in an accessible, readable way. The articles will appeal to fans of Laura Ingalls Wilder and others who are interested in learning more about her writing/books/career, life, family and the times she lived in. After reading these essays, I now want to go back and re-read the annotated Pioneer Girl." - Goodreads reviewer
"This a very interesting book that I would recommend for anyone that would like to learn more about the little house series and Mrs. Wilder herself. This book does explain some of the hardships that Mrs. Wilder faced and explains about her writing style. Also, it provides information about the sometimes difficult relationship she shared with her daughter Rose Wilder Lane. There is a great deal of information about the challenges that Mrs. Wilder faced in getting her little house series published." - Goodreads reviewer
Awards
Winner of Midwest Booksellers' Choice Award (Nonfiction) 2015.
Book Information
ISBN 9780984504176
Author Pamela Smith Hill
Format Hardback
Page Count 472
Imprint South Dakota State Historical Society
Publisher South Dakota State Historical Society
Weight(grams) 1470g
Dimensions(mm) 257mm * 249mm * 32mm
