Ten-year-old Kirsten finds a bee tree full of honey.

A tough Minnesota winter brings many changes to Kirsten's frontier life, including the new responsibility of helping her brother Lars set his traps and a move into a new house for her family.

Kirsten and her family celebrate their first Christmas in their new home on Uncle Olav's farm in mid-19th-century Minnesota

Wherever Kirsten goes in her hometown of Ryd, Sweden, there is one word on everyone's lips: America. All around her, crops are failing and families are one bad harvest away from starving. When Kirsten's Uncle Olav writes from America to tell about the rich farmland there, the Larsons make the decision to join him in America. Kirsten braves terrible storms and deadly disease on her journey across the ocean. After six long weeks at sea, she finally hears the welcome cry, "Land ho!" On wobbly legs, Kirsten makes her way down the ship's gangplank. What will happen now? she wonders. Will I ever feel at home in this new land? Book jacket.

Ten-year-old Kirsten regrets the promise she has made to a ragged boy she discovers alone near a wrecked covered wagon not far from her Minnesota home.

Springtime brings a new barn and a tiny baby to the Larsons's farm. It brings worries and more work for Kirsten, too. American Girls Collection/Kirsten #4.

Nine-year-old Josefina, the youngest of four sisters living in New Mexico in 1824, tries to help run the household after her mother dies.