This thesis is a discussion of the historical significance of the series of children's novels written by Laura Ingalls Wilder. The purpose is to delve beyond the fact that the series was intended for children and look at the books topically. Topics analyzed include growing up in the last quarter of the nineteenth century, daily life, family ties, courtship, marriage, homesteading the American frontier, dangers of homesteading, building railroads, and education. A comparison will be drawn between Laura's descriptions and information found in outside sources in order to prove how historically accurate Laura's novels are.