Mary Ingalls on Her Own

Title: Mary Ingalls on Her Own
Author: Elizabeth Kimmel Willard
Series: sequel to the Little House series
Major Themes: Laura Ingalls Wilder, Mary Ingalls, Iowa, Blindness, School
Synopsis: When she arrived at the College for the Blind in Iowa, Mary Ingalls found herself alone for the first time in her life.

Have you ever wondered what life was like for Mary Ingalls, Laura Ingalls Wilder’s sister, when she went to college in Iowa? Laura mentioned a few little things about Mary’s experience, but she didn’t write very much about it. Mary Ingalls on Her Own helps to flesh out Mary’s experiences somewhat.

Mary was quite apprehensive when she arrived at the Iowa College for the Blind in Vinton, Iowa. Ma and Pa were with her, but they would soon be leaving, and for the first time in her life, Mary would be alone without any of her family. She was determined not to make any mistakes and to do everything right the first time. When her first attempt to find her room by herself ended in disaster, her confidence was badly shaken. Would she really be able to learn everything she needed to to care for herself? 

Very soon, Mary had many friends at the school. She also had an enemy, a girl who seemed to hate her. What could she do to make amends with this girl? And how could she ever learn Braille? Everything was very difficult, and Mary found herself extremely homesick.

We all enjoyed Mary Ingalls on Her Own, but nowhere near as much as the original Little House books. I was glad to read the author’s note at the end, in which she explained what was known, and what she had to make up for the story. It was good to get a glimpse into the life of a blind person in the 1880s, even though the scenarios described were largely imaginary. This book definitely made Mary Ingalls seem more like a real person than before we read it. 

No warnings!

——————
Related posts:

Little House in the Big Woods By the Shores of Silver Lake Farmer Boy The Long Winter