The six Woodlawn children of which Caddie is one of the liveliest, and their adventuresome life on the Wisconsin fron- tier.

The period is Civil War days, but this pioneer family seems far removed from the affairs of the North and the South,—more concerned with breaking new farmland and preserving friendly relations with the ln- dians on the border.

Caddie, who had been a frail baby, has been allowed to grow up a tomboy learning to plow rather than to sew. At twelve, she is a child of spirit with great capacities for enjoying life to the full and finding every- thing about her exciting and interesting. There is the story of the threatening massa- cre and Caddie's thrilling pledge of faith with the Indians; of the eventful visits of the Circuit Rider, who brings the NVood- lawns news of national affairs and clocks to mend ; of Caddie's discovery in an old trunk of the tiny dancing boots which revealed her father's connection with English nobil- ity; of the unexpected inheritance which brought the Woodlawns face to face with an important decision.

Built out of the reminiscences of the author's grandmother, the real Caddie, this is a story rich in background with a lively, interesting plot to delight younger readers.