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.
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 exposé; 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
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