The seventh book in the Rose Years series, the story of the spirited daughter of the author of the beloved Little House series.  A whole new world opens up for Rose Wilder when she leaves Rocky Ridge Farm and moves to Louisiana to live with her aunt Eliza Jane. Rose is sixteen now, and she thrives in a city brimming with excitement and adventure. Rose even finds herself becoming an independent young woman with her own ideas, ambitions, and dreams. The Little House books have captivated generations of readers with their story of the little pioneer girl Laura Ingalls growing LIP on the American frontier. Now the Little House story continues with The Rose Years, books that tell the story of Laura and Almanzo Wilder's daughter, Rose. The first six books in the series describe the Wilders' journey to Missouri, their first three years on Rocky Ridge Farm. and their move to the town of Mansfield. In this latest Rose Years title, a whole new world opens LIP for Rose when she leaves Rocky Ridge Farm and moves to Louisiana to live with her aunt Eliza Jane. Rose is sixteen now, and she thrives in a city brimming with excitement and adventure. Rose even finds herself becoming an independent young woman with her own ideas, ambitions, and dreams. ON THE BANKS OF THE BAYOU continues the story that Laura Ingalls Wilder began more than sixty years ago -- a story whose wonder and adventure have charmed millions of readers. Roger Lea MacBride, a close friend of Rose Wilder Lane's, was the author of the Rose Years novels. Dan Andreasen has illustrated many well-loved books for children, including River Boy: The Story of Mark Twain and Pioneer Girl: The Story of Laura Ingalls Wilder , both by William Anderson, as well as many titles in the Little House series. He lives with his family in Medina, Ohio. Excerpt Leaving Home Rose gripped the edge of her chair seat to steady herself. The train had onlyjust begun chuffing away from the depot, so there wasn't any rocking of the carto make her dizzy. It was only her mind spinning. Moments before, she had left behind the life she'd known as long as she couldremember. She'd just had her last glimpse of her short plump mother, standing onthe brick platform below the train window. Mama's gentle face had craned up from under her hat. Her cheeks had shone withtears in the morning light. Her shimmering eyes had searched the windows to blowone more kiss. Her hand had held up her handkerchief, ready for one last wave. Rose fought back a fresh wave of tears. A painful lump lodged in her throat. Thepitifully yearning look on Mama's face broke her heart. Rose hadn't gotten tothe window fast enough for Mama to see her one last time. Mama had looked forher, but Rose wasn't there. Rose turned her face to the dust-streaked window and held her own handkerchieftight against her eyes. She was sixteen years old, a young lady and too old tobe carrying on in public. A silent sob wracked her body so hard that she couldfeel the eyelets on her corset jabbing into her back. She managed a few deep breaths, mopped her face, and slumped down in the plushchair seat, hoping no one had noticed her. After two months of waiting for this day to come, suddenly nothing made sense.She fought a strong urge to run down the aisle and jump off the train before itgot to moving too fast. She caught a final glimpse of the backyard of her houseas the train pulled away from town. There was poor old Fido, asleep on hisfavorite patch of cool earth under the oak tree. A pair of Papa's overalls hungdrying on the clothesline. The place looked so forlorn and lonely from thetrain. And then it was gone, and the telegraph poles whizzed past her windowfaster and faster. Oh, how could she leave Mama and Papa alone like that, with boarders to feed andkeep house for? How could she leave them to run the farm? Who would fetch thewater? Who would milk the cow? Who would bring in the stove wood? She had pestered Mama and Papa every day of the last two months, badgering themwith questions and doubts. "If you miss the work while you're away, we'll be pleased to hold it all for youuntil you get back," Papa had joked. "Don't you worry about any of it," Mama had said. "It is only 'til next summer.Why, You'll be back home before you know it. We'll manage." But these were the very first moments of the biggest adventure of Rose's life.Nine months stretched before her as vast as the sea. She must cross it alone,without Mama and Papa, far from all things familiar. The thought both terrifiedand exhilarated her. The train lurched and picked up more speed. The car began to rock. Rose blinkedaway her tears and tidied her dress. It was a simple dark-blue figured ginghamwith a lace collar and cuffs. Rose had complained, and begged to wear herfavorite white lawn, but Mama insisted she wear the blue one. Mama had said itwas extravagant to wear white on a long train journey: "It soils so easily. Blueis more practical. It'll stay looking fresh 'til you get th