In terms of publication, this is the second book in the series. For whatever reason, I always thought it was the third in the series (in fact, I can find it listed as the third in the series despite publication date). When you read it is largely irrelevant though, since it’s about Almanzo Wilder’s childhood in New York. And honestly, if he’s 9 during the book, it takes place well before Laura’s birth anyway (Would I lie to you?)
In contrast to the life Laura leads as the daughter of a pioneer, Almanzo leads a very settled life as the son of a well-off farmer in New York state. Farmer Boy details his daily life from chores to harvests to raising livestock. Reading in such quick succession after the others made me aware of how very wealthy his family was in comparison to the Ingalls family. Almanzo gets a 50 cent piece from his father for his hard work and later ends up with $200 in a bank account. Think of Laura and Mary exclaiming over their bright Christmas pennies. I’d forgotten also how hungry this book makes me. The tables are groaning with food which also sounds absolutely heavenly. But again, consider the doughnuts and ice cream and stacks of pancakes and spare ribs enjoyed by the Wilders as the Ingalls family makes do. It would make a great comparison exercise for students if you were so inclined.
As with the rest of the series, this can most likely be read independently by a strong reader in the third grade. It would also make a very enjoyable read aloud. For those planning on continuing the series, make note of bossy Eliza Jane. She’ll be back.
Racism – Mother asks the boys if they must yell like Comanches. A random Indian joins a horse race and runs a mile as fast as a horse. The children play wild Indian.
Sex, Nudity, Dating – We learn that Almanzo’s underwear is creamy white.
Profanity – A boy was swearing (no words are given). “Sacre bleu”, “shut up,” “Gol ding it,” “durn,”
Death, Violence and Gore – Older boys scuffle and sometimes force younger boys to fight. Sometimes they throw younger boys headfirst into the snow. They have driven teachers from the school. One they hurt so badly that he died of the injuries. Almanzo worries that the boys will kill their teacher. Royal’s teacher had often used a ruler on his palm until it was red and swollen. His father threatened to thrash him. Almanzo knows he’ll be whipped by the teacher if he’s tardy. The teacher whips a boy until he is bleeding. Boys dare each other to lick the pump in winter but Almanzo knows if you try to pull your tongue away you will leave part of it there. A man’s wife and children are tied up and he is almost beaten to death by thieves. Royal threatens to give Almanzo a licking. He fears father will whip him when he has been bad. Almanzo’s face is burned by an exploding potato. Animals are butchered for food, but the butchering process is not described in detail. Almanzo’s cousin threatens to lick him (as in beat him, not get him wet with his tongue. Later they fight. Almanzo gets a bloody nose; Frank is punched repeatedly. A giant log falls on Almanzo and pins him down. Several times people mention wanting to hit someone or smash someone’s face.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking – Two men drink red wine. Mother uses whiskey to make wintergreen flavoring for cakes and cookies.
Frightening or Intense Things – Almanzo falls into a freezing cold lake.
Sorry. I snerked at the comment about Almanzo’s underwear! I imagine there was a LOT more fabric to it than to modern underwear! I’ll have to brush these off and get some of them checked out today. How I adored them.
Even as a kid I noticed how much richer Alonzo was than Laura. She even mentions it when they get married — how he thinks farming is great, because he comes from a big farm, but she knows it’s awful. Turns out that she is right, especially since the climate reverts to normal making their homestead unsustainable.
My main memory of this is the food, and Eliza Jane covering up the coal stain on the parlor wall. (SPOILER!)
I’m reading this book (and the whole series) with my 9 YO daughter right now. We are having lots of discussions about race, gender roles and how children were treated back then. My “favorite” line from the series of books, repeated several times, is “Children should be seen and not heard.” My grandma tried to use that line on me in the 70s but surprise, it didn’t work! My daughter and I laugh and laugh about that…and about how kids were not allowed to speak when adults were conversing, or when they were all sitting at the dinner table. Time sure have changed…we enjoy our kids’ input into our conversations, at least most of the time ha ha. Anyway I came online after reading the bit in Farmer Boy about the older boys killing the previous teacher. I’m trying to find out if that really happened, or if LIW was making it up. I can’t find confirmation either way but it’s really disturbing either way. Sure hope that one was made up…but why would LIW fabricate a story like that?! Yikes!
I live about two hours South of Malone, NY and have been to his farm. One thing that struck me is how small it is.
Also, now that you lay it all out, there is quite a bit of violence in the book.
I do not understand how the “good people” of the town would let these boys get away with murder!
The kids being so afraid of being beaten by their father is troublesome too.
Oh fun fact: the Malone Academy is still standing. Many of the buildings in the town are still up. It isn’t a charming town though. I’ve never liked Malone.