For early readers, B.C. primary schoolteacher Becky Citra tells a likeable family tale in 12 short chapters, with a full-page black-and-white illustration for each chapter. In this sequel to Ellie’s New Home, Ellie continues the story of her English family’s pioneer life in Upper Canada in 1835. Much is expected of motherless young Ellie, and many episodes concern her daily experiences learning to cope with their rough new surroundings. The crisis of the plot comes when a “freezing moon” brings on winter, and Papa fails to return home from a hunting trip. Left alone with her little brother, Ellie must decide what to do. Suspense and relief are well handled, in keeping with the gentle, warm tone of the whole story of Ellie’s courage and growing maturity.

The novel presents some characteristic scenes of pioneer life, such as the neighbours gathering to raise the framework of a house, but the focus is more on feelings and human relationships than on historical details. Ellie and her little brother Max encounter two kinds of outsiders or people different from the immigrant families – the surly woodcutter Napoleon, who shuns the children, and the native people in a nearby village. In both instances, a crisis proves the helpfulness and worth of the outsiders. Ellie fears the different appearance and language of the native people, and half -believes hostile tales told about them, but finds her father’s friendly admiration of them vindicated when she seeks their help.

Citra’s books evoke Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House on the Prairie series, and while Ellie’s family and adventures are not so vividly imagined as Laura’s, they offer an enjoyably Canadian-flavoured version of the pioneer experience.