5 Books Like Little House On The Prairie

Little House on the Prairie, written by Laura Ingalls Wilder in 1935, is one of the most popular classic novels of all time.

This beloved story follows Laura and her family as they journey from a small log cabin in Wisconsin to an eventual homestead five miles west of Independence, Kansas.

5 Books Like Little House On The Prairie

The novel has enthralled readers for generations with its detailed depiction of life during the American pioneer era.

The focus of the narrative is on the Ingalls family’s struggles and triumphs as they attempt to build a life in the American West, and begins with the family’s move from Wisconsin to Kansas, following their adventures, challenges, and successes along the way.

It has earned a place as a firm favorite amongst fans, and this is largely due to the vivid descriptions of the family’s experiences and the strong sense of community that is portrayed.

Little House On The Prairie is a fascinating look into a long-ago past, offering readers a glimpse of what life was like for pioneers in the 1800s, as well as an exploration of the life of a family living in a new land.

If you’re looking for books similar to Little House On The Prairie, why not check out classics such as Where The Crawdads Sing, Educated, Little Women, The Glass Castle, or Pilgrim at Tinker Creek? For more inspiration, check out our list of books like Little House On The Prairie.

Themes In Little House On The Prairie

Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder (1953-10-14)

Little House On The Prairie is a classic novel that explores themes such as family, community, perseverance, and the power of love.

It also touches on topics like racism and sexism in the 1800s.

These themes are explored through the eyes of Laura Ingalls Wilder and her family as they face challenges and triumphs while trying to build a life in the American West.

Some of the primary themes tackled in the novel include:

Family

The Ingalls family is the focus of the novel, and their relationships with each other are explored in depth.

The family’s love for one another is a major theme throughout the book, as they face hardships together and rely on each other for support.

Community

Community is another major theme that appears throughout the novel, as the Ingalls family lives and works as part of a larger community.

The place of community, and the connections and relationships that form a community, are all explored through the interactions of the main characters with other settlers in the area, and this includes exploring concepts such as racism and sexism as part of a wider community group.

Perseverance

Perseverance is another key theme that runs throughout the entire novel; the Ingalls family faces many challenges throughout the events, but they never give up.

They are determined to make a life for themselves in the American West, and their perseverance, dedication, and determination is an inspiring theme throughout the book.

The Power of Love

Love is a major theme in Little House On The Prairie, as this is a key factor that drives the Ingalls family forward despite all the struggles they face as part of the community and wider society.

The power of love is a major theme throughout the novel, and it is what ultimately helps them to succeed.

Books Like A Little House On The Prairie

If you’re looking for books similar to Little House On The Prairie, why not check out classics such as Where The Crawdads Sing, Educated, Prairie Lotus, or Pilgrim at Tinker Creek?

These explore similar themes and ideas, allowing you to enjoy the same style of narrative as that seen in Little House On The Prairie.

Other similar novels include Little Women by Louisa May Alcott and My Antonia by Willa Cather.

These books both tell stories of families facing hardships in the American West, and they explore themes such as family, community, perseverance, and the power of love.

We took a closer look at some of the main books that are similar to A Little House On The Prairie, and these include:

Where The Crawdads Sing (2020) – Delia Owens

Where the Crawdads Sing: Reese's Book Club (A Novel)

Where The Crawdads Sing is a beautiful coming-of-age story set in the 1950s, which takes place in the marshlands of North Carolina.

It follows Kya, a young girl who finds herself at the center of a murder accusation when the hotshot townsman is found dead.

The novel explores themes of family, community, perseverance, and the power of love, similar to Little House On The Prairie, and is a must-read for fans of the classic novel.

Pros

  • Beautiful, engaging narrative
  • Explores themes of family, community, perseverance, and the power of love
  • Offers a beautiful insight into human connection

Cons

  • Has been accused of using stereotypes to describe black characters

Themes: Survival, human connection, racism, society, community, independence, education

Educated (2018) – Tara Westover

Educated: A Memoir

Though it may not seem an obvious connection, there are a number of similarities that can be drawn between this novel, and the themes and ideas seen in Little House On The Prairie.

Educated is a memoir by Tara Westover which tells the story of her journey from an isolated upbringing in Idaho to earning a Ph.D. at Cambridge University.

It explores themes such as education, identity, and freedom, and how these can be used to overcome adversity – even in situations where it may seem impossible.

The novel also has links to Little House On The Prairie thanks to its exploration of family, community, and the power of love, as well as the impact of societal views and prejudices on upbringing, and the importance of education.

Pros

  • Powerful account of a troubled upbringing
  • Heartwarming narrative
  • Inspiring and uplifting message

Cons

  • Quite brutal and tricky to read and digest

Themes: Family, friendship, determination, education, self-love, relationships

Prairie Lotus (2020) – Linda Sue Park

Prairie Lotus

Prairie Lotus is another great option for fans of Little House On The Prairie.

Set in the 1880s, it follows Hanna, a half-Chinese girl who moves to a small town in the American West.

Like Little House On The Prairie, this book explores themes such as the importance of education, the difficulty of facing and tackling prejudice, and the issues that come with not quite fitting in.

We follow Hanna as she seeks a home, only to be met with prejudice and discrimination.

Despite this, she is determined to make a life for herself in the American West, and the novel is a beautiful exploration of identity, family, and belonging.

Pros

  • Touching, multi-layered narrative
  • Explores themes of identity, family, and belonging in an engaging, natural way
  • Beautiful insight into the American West

Cons

  • Themes of racism can be quite confronting

Themes: Racism, identity, family, community, perseverance, love

Little Women (1868) – Louisa May Alcott

Little Women (150th Anniversary Edition): With Foreword and 200 Original Illustrations

Little Women is a classic novel by Louisa May Alcott, which explores the stories and lives of four sisters growing up in Massachusetts during the Civil War.

It explores themes such as family, friendship, love, and loyalty, and is a great read for fans of Little House On The Prairie.

The novel follows the sisters as they navigate life’s challenges, from poverty to marriage and motherhood, exploring their relationships with each other and the world around them.

It is a timeless story of resilience, courage, and determination, and is sure to captivate readers of all ages.

Overall, this is a touching and inspiring story of female strength and resilience and is sure to leave readers feeling uplifted.

Pros

  • Classic novel with timeless themes
  • Uplifting and inspiring story of female strength
  • Authentic, detailed characters

Cons

  • Can be quite slow-paced in parts

Themes: Family, friendship, love, loyalty, poverty, marriage, motherhood

My Antonia (1918) – Willa Cather

My Antonia

My Antonia is a classic novel by Willa Cather, which follows the story of Antonia Shimerda, a Bohemian immigrant in Nebraska.

Like Little House On The Prairie, this book explores themes such as family, community, and identity, as well as the difficulties of adapting to a new culture and environment.

The novel follows Antonia’s journey from childhood to adulthood, exploring her relationships with her family, friends, and the land she calls home.

It is a beautiful exploration of identity, belonging, and resilience, and is sure to captivate readers of all ages.

Pros

  • Beautiful exploration of identity, belonging, and resilience
  • Authentic characters and vivid descriptions
  • Uplifting message of hope

Cons

  • The split between the two narratives can feel quite unfocused.

Themes: Family, community, identity, immigration, adaptation, resilience.

Final Thoughts

For fans of Little House On The Prairie, these five books are sure to captivate and inspire.

Each book explores themes such as family, community, identity, and resilience in an engaging and authentic way, making them great reads for readers of all ages.

Whether you’re looking for a classic novel or a more modern take on the American West, these books are sure to provide hours of entertainment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are The Main Themes Of Little House On The Prairie?

The main themes of Little House On The Prairie are family, community, identity, perseverance, and love.

What Is Little House On The Prairie About?

Little House On The Prairie is a classic novel by Laura Ingalls Wilder, which follows the lives of the Ingalls family as they move from Wisconsin to Kansas in the late 1800s.

It explores themes such as family, community, identity, and perseverance, and is a great read for fans of American history.

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Noah Burton