True To The Old Flag: A Tale Of The American War Of Independence (Paperback)
by G. A. Henty
ISBN: 157646864X

Price: $3.21
7 used & new available from USD 3.21

At the start of the American Revolutionary War, young Harold joins the British side with his father. He becomes a talented scout, helps win several battles, has narrow escapes from the enemy, and manages to be around for almost every part of the war.

Here’s a book that is remarkably interesting for the fact that it is about the British side of the American Revolution. The battles are done well, at points Henty even has me (an American) rooting for the British. And yet, for some reason, the story keeps getting sidetracked into Indian fights. About seven long chapters in the book are solely about Harold and his friends fighting Indians. Even though the main story is good, it is rather annoying to have the war grind to a halt so that Harold can rescue his cousin from Indians. However, hearing the British side of the story makes the book worth reading anyway.

The Forest Runners: A Story of the Great War Trail in Early Kentucky (Paperback)
by Joseph A. Altsheler
ISBN: 1426482647

Price: USD 20.99
17 used & new available from USD 14.64

Henry Ware and his friend Paul Cotter from Wareville are delivering some gunpowder to a settlement called Marlowe. On the way, Paul is captured by Shawnee Indians and then rescued by Henry. Henry and Paul are followed by the Shawnee Indians to an abandoned house. They escape from the Indians and meet up with some of their friends.

This book is one of the better ones of Joseph Altsheler’s books. The Forest Runners moves quickly for most of the book.

Love Comes Softly/Love’s Enduring Promise/Love’s Long Journey/Love’s Abiding Joy (Love Comes Softly Series 1-4) (Paperback)
by Janette Oke
ISBN: 0764290959

Price: USD 29.78
63 used & new available from USD 19.94

Starting a journey West with the man she loves, Marty’s dream is shattered, just like that. Her husband is killed and she is left with practically nothing. Expecting a child and nowhere to turn, her only choice is to accept a proposal from Clark Davis, a man she does not know. Their marriage is for convenience only — his wife died, leaving him with a young girl who needs a mother, and Marty needs shelter and protection for the coming months. This first book in the series follows Marty through her initial hatred of her circumstances to her acceptance of her surroundings and Clark… Maybe even love.

I’d heard of Janette Oke’s books on several occasions and finally decided to give one a try. I read Love Comes Softly in a single afternoon and enjoyed it quite a bit. The story moves along swiftly, without feeling rushed. The scenes are simply written, but have deep meaning. There are eight books total in this series, continuing the story of Marty and the following generations. I have linked to a complete boxed set.

Riflemen of Ohio (Library Binding)
by Joseph Alsheler, Joseph A. Altsheler
ISBN: 089968226X

Price: USD 27.32
3 used & new available from USD 27.32

This book begins when a fleet of boats comes from New Orleans carrying supplies to settlers in Pittsburgh. Unfortunately, the Indians are rallying together to drive all settlers from their land. The Indians attack the fleet while it is in the narrow areas on the Ohio River. The fleet has to force their way through to help a settlement in time, after being told by Henry Ware that it was in danger.

I liked this book for two reasons. Because I like books with adventure in them, and this book is the sequel to Kentucky Frontiersmen.

Author: Laura Ingalls Wilder

These Happy Golden Years (Little House) (Paperback)
by Laura Ingalls Wilder
ISBN: 0060581875

Price: USD 8.99
111 used & new available from USD 0.10

Laura must teach school to help Mary in the school for the blind. The school where she teaches, however, is far from home, and it’s winter, so she must stay with the surly Brewsters. Some of the students are older than she is, and Mrs. Brewster makes life miserable. However, Almanzo Wilder drives out every weekend to bring her home, and then drives her back. Laura wonders why he does this. And what will he do when the school term is over?

Well, you can probably tell very easily. It’s not hard to guess that Almanzo and Laura are standing there on the cover. You probably know where the story goes from there. Yes, I’m saying it’s predictable, but it’s good. Read it, and enjoy.

On the Banks of Plum Creek (Little House, No 3) (Paperback)
by Laura Ingalls Wilder
ISBN: 0064400042

Price: USD 6.99
534 used & new available from USD 0.10

The Ingalls family has moved from Kansas to Minnesota. They live in a house of sod until Pa builds a beautiful wooden house. Unfortunately, the money put into the materials for the house is completely dependent upon their growing wheat crop. When a cloud of millions of huge grasshoppers land, the crops are eaten and destroyed in a matter of days.

The Little House books are a very enjoyable series, and they make good read-alouds. It’s amazing to see how people lived during that time period. On the Banks of Plum Creek always stood out from the others in my mind as a child, and I especially remembered the part when Laura goes wading in the deep mud in the creek, and comes out with leeches (or bloodsuckers) all over her legs. (Yuck!)

The Sign of the Beaver (Paperback)
by Elizabeth George Speare
ISBN: 0440479002

Price: USD 6.99
697 used & new available from USD 0.10

After they finish their cabin in Maine, Matt’s father starts back for Massachusetts, leaving twelve year old Matt behind to guard the cabin. Matt has fun living by himself, until he tackles a nest of bees. An old Indian chief and his grandson Attean have been watching him and decide to help Matt out. In return, Matt agrees to teach Attean to read and speak English. The two boys resent the forced friendship at first, but end up doing everything together. What will Matt do when his father returns?

Well, this is a great book. I gave it four stars, because it’s a bit slow at the start, but it picks up later. You will learn a lot of interesting things about Pioneers and Indians. There was a TV movie of this book called Keeping the Promise, but I haven’t seen it.

Mustang: Wild Spirit of the West (Paperback)
by Marguerite Henry
ISBN: 068971601X

Price: USD 5.99
159 used & new available from USD 0.10

In this true story, Annie Bronn, also known as “Wild Horse Annie,” feels she belongs with mustangs. She faces sickness and other problems but finally comes to a new ranch, where she grows up. After marrying, life is wonderful—until she is faced with a sight that will change her life forever. She risks her life again and again to save the mustangs that the cruel mustangers are heartlessly slaughtering. Her endeavor actually brings her to the White House, but will Annie be able to save the wild horses before they are destroyed forever?

I enjoyed reading this book! Mustangs… Adventures… Despairs… etc. Be careful, you might not want to put it down!

San Domingo : The Medicine Hat Stallion (Paperback)
by Marguerite Henry
ISBN: 0689716311

Price: USD 6.99
111 used & new available from USD 0.10

Peter Lundy has a very special horse! Not only can San Domingo outrun tornadoes, but he’s also what Indians call a Medicine Hat. Nobody can harm his rider. Peter only realizes this when a surveying Irishman befriends him. But then Peter’s father trades San Domingo for a Thoroughbred. Peter is so heartbroken that he joins the Pony Express.

This is one of my favorite books. I like it because of the way the characters are described. I especially like Brisley, the Irishman because he’s always happy and singing.

Little House on the Prairie (Little House, No 2) (Paperback)
by Laura Ingalls Wilder
ISBN: 0064400026

Price: USD 6.99
757 used & new available from USD 0.10

Laura, Mary, and their Pa and Ma have left the house in the Big Woods. They have to travel for miles until they get to Indian Territory. There, Pa has to build a house out of logs. This is the story of the exciting adventures the Ingalls family has along the way.

This whole series is good to read. People acted a lot differently in the 1800s. It’s very interesting to see what they did different, what they thought was good manners, and what they thought meant you were rich. I took off a star because small portions are a tad slow, but it’s well worth reading.