Caroline: Little House, Revisited

Peeling back the layers of Laura Ingalls Wilder's "Little House on the Prairie" series allows young adult author Miller to reveal the real Caroline Ingalls, Wilder's mother. While Ma projected a calm, strong exterior in the face of adversity in the series, research and family letters point to a woman in real life who at times questioned her ability to be a good caretaker and was haunted by the meagerness of her childhood. Miller, who has previously exposed unheard voices in her work (Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller), recounts the story of the Ingalls family's 700-mile covered wagon trek from Wisconsin to a settlement in Kansas. Here, Ma's thoughts run deep as she constantly assesses her words and actions toward daughters Laura, Mary, and Carrie, and partners effectively with her husband, Charles, and his wanderlust. This character-driven narrative balances a submissive and dutiful wife with a passionate young woman who openly and tenderly admires her husband and relishes their lovemaking.