On the Other Side of the Hill (Little House)
Grade 3-5-The fourth in the series about Rose Wilder's childhood years on Rocky Ridge Farm in the Ozarks. Taking place during the course of a year, her experiences range from the dramatic (a cyclone, a fire, the death of a family friend) to the ordinary (a cider pressing, the annual hog butchering, and the family's first look at the brand new Sears Roebuck catalog). Throughout, Rose is a changing, growing character. Her relationships with others evolve in a natural way that children are bound to relate to, and the awakening of her intellectual curiosity and her transition from childhood to adolescence is authentically depicted. MacBride is obviously fascinated with historical detail, which generally serves this book well, although its length will intimidate many children, and some of the descriptions are perhaps a bit too leisurely. The plotting is where the book lacks structure and cohesiveness; it is episodic to the point of being rambling, with some plot elements just fizzling out (for example, all of the little bits about omens and superstitions never lead up to anything). All in all, though, this is a respectable book worthy of consideration, especially where the series is already popular.Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, ILCopyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.