Caddie Woodlawn

This is an okay book written by Carol Ryrie Brink. No one would accuse 11-year-old Caddie Woodlawn of being dainty and ladylike. In spite of her mother's best efforts, Caddie is as wild as the wind, playing freely and rambunctiously with her two brothers in the Wisconsin backwoods. There are rafts to build, and trees to climb, and pranks to play. Caddie especially liked to watch her friend Indian John build birchbark canoes at the river. Every day seems wide with possibility – as wide as the frontier. But living on the edge of civilization has its risks, too. And when Indians threaten to attack the settlers, it is Caddie's resourcefulness and bravery that save the day.

The author based her book on the true stories her grandmother used to tell her about growing up on the frontier. The story was published in 1936 and won a Newbery Medal. The house that Caddie lived in is now an historical site and tourist attraction. Most of the names in the book have been changed, such as Caddie's real surname is Woodhouse. There is a sequel called Magical Melons.