Caddie Woodlawn (05) by Brink, Carol Ryrie [Paperback (2007)] Paperback – January 1, 2007

Oh, I loved this book! I am 64 years old and have in the past year been re-reading books I enjoyed as a young girl, as well as some that I missed reading, like Caddie Woodlawn. Revisting some of these books and discovering others have helped me to reconnect with the girl I was who was addicted to reading---and still am! If I had a granddaughter to share books with, Caddie Woodlawn would be at the top of the list!

4.5 stars: I read this with my children and they moaned when I first brought it out. A few chapters in, though, they changed their minds. Caddie is quite a character. In 1864, Caddie is 11 and runs around with her brothers, Tom, 13, and Warren, 9. The family lives in Wisconsin and when they arrived, she and her sister Mary, were quite frail. Mary died so her father asked her mother to let him try an experiment. He wanted Caddie to run wild with the boys rather than learn to be a lady indoors. So she's raised as a tomboy and she and her brothers get into quite a bit of mischief.There are fun stories about their adventures with the Indians, the Circuit Rider (traveling minister), Uncle Edmund's visit, school and just life in general living in the wilderness.We especially enjoyed the chapter where her brother, Tom, made up a story. Caddie, Warren and Tom were plowing the field so to make it more interesting, one of them would plow while the other two sat by the fence and made up stories. Tom was the best storyteller so both Warren and Caddie wanted to hear his story. The main character in his story had some character flaws and we had a good discussion on him.Since it was first published in 1935 (and written about life in the 1860's), the times were quite different than today. We had some good discussions on what was better about that time and the conveniences we have today that make life easier. It was also good to see the similarities and see that human nature is the same over time. There's a part where Caddie wants to run away and my daughter has wanted to do that a few times so it was good for her to see that even children that lived a long time ago had some of those same feelings and we were able to see how Caddie worked through her feelings. The family has a big decision to make towards the end. We each guessed what they would decide and were surprised somewhat by the outcome.

The Woodlawn family live in pioneer times Wisconsin. Caddie has been allowed to run wild with her brothers leading to lots of adventures. It’s a cute story and easy for younger kids to read. I recommend it people of all ages. It makes a great family read aloud.

I had read Caddie Woodlawn to my first set of kids and bought it to read to our adopted kids. Caddie is a tomboy at a time when girls were to learn stitching and cooking. She has adventures with her brothers and her friend were the Indians. The author actually wrote down stories that her grandmother had told her. All kids love the adventure in this book...including this 70 year old kid.

I love this book greatly. It is very well written, and a book that I have read two or three times already. I’m sure that I will want to read it again sometime.The paper quality was pretty nice for the amount I payed for it. The corners of the book came a little damaged, but it wasn’t a big deal. It would be nice if the book had been wrapped up in some sort of cushioning.

This book is fantastic! I love books about pioneers from the 1800s and have read many books depicting this era. Caddie Woodlawn is one of my new favorites. Prior to beginning it, I wasn't sure how much I would like this book, since I don't particularly relate to tomboys, but Caddie is very likeable. She is brave, kind, and always ready for an adventure with her family. I was particularly touched by some profound words her father shared with her after she was disciplined, I also loved her for a generous act of kindness she bestowed upon some lonely and hurting children. There are some sweet words of wisdom nestled in this gem. I can't recommend this book enough and am eager to read it to my little girls, I know they will love it!

This is an enjoyable bedtime chapter story that is read aloud every night to our young grandchildren. For our family, the characters are realistic and considered a better story Little House on the Prairie.

I bought this for a girl that I teach, and she loved it! This is one of my favorite books to read elementary students. I used to read it every year to my fifth grade class.

Caddie Woodlawn is the true story about a year in the life of an 11 year old girl, growing up on the American frontier in the 1860s. The author of the book is the actual granddaughter of Caddie, and she decided to write down some tales from her grandmother's childhood. The result is a book in the mould of Little House on the Prairie or Anne of Green Gables.Caddie is a tomboy - part of a large family of seven children, but the only girl in the family who is encouraged by her father to be a tomboy. As a result of her tomboy behaviour she almost drowns, saves an Indian tribe from being massacred by white settlers, stands up to the school bully and plays tricks on her snobbish cousin Annabelle who comes from the stylish city of Boston and looks down on country life. The book is well-written, easy to read and contains lots of dialogue.The book also deals with deeper issues such as the role of women in society, racism and class prejudice. By the end of the book, Caddie realises that she cannot be a tomboy forever, but her father gives her a moving account of the importance of feminine virtues in society. She grows more sensitive to the needs of others, especially her younger sister Hetty, and at the end of the book a secret from her father's childhood forces her and the rest of her family to make a possibly life-changing decision.While I think that many children would enjoy reading this, I do have to criticise the words sometimes used to describe the Indians. Although Caddie and her family see them as equal, it does not stop her (or perhaps it is the author) occasionally referring to them as savages, and the mixed race children in her class are invariably called half-breeds. This is a pity because this is otherwise a good book which has so many layers to it, and really gets to the heart of what it is like to be growing up as a girl in any time period. Perhaps these terms were acceptable in the 1930s when the book was first published, but it does mar what is otherwise a very lovely story, and that is why I chose not to award it five stars.

I have the original book from my school years. After reading it again, I bought two of these to give away, because this is a book with uncorrupted morals. Every young girl should read this book.

I bought it for my 10 year old daughter. She is a bit of an advanced reader and she wasn't bored. She loved the story and asked for the sequel.

My daughter loved it

This is an endearing story and a pleasure to read.