Missouri Homestead

On the frontier, goodness always triumphs over evil in this new Days of Laura Ingalls Wilder series. Though the stories are not based on fact, they address issues considered prevalent at the turn of the century, and attempt to reflect Wilder's feelings and attitudes regarding them. In the first book, Laura seeks support to preserve the county's forests. In the second title, she confronts prejudice and ignorance while trying to convince farmers to obey the law by sending their children to school. Other topics discussed briefly in the stories include freedom of the press, immigration to America, and the country's industrialization. Tedrow captures the essence of the time period by authentically describing the setting, depicting believable characters and examining problems that are still relevant today. What might be more relevant, however, is the fact that both author and publisher appear to be capitalizing on a successful segment of Americana; the series will strike many adults as a rip-off. Ages 9-15. (Sept.)