Nobody Made Much Fuss

One of the trademarks of modern society is that we fuss over children.  We have tv shows, games and even computers just for kids.  Gone are the days when you just let a scrape heal it needs to be washed and coated with the magic healing cream and then a band aid.  Now don't get me wrong, I'm all for proper treatment of injuries, but people didn't use to fuss like that.

In Carol Ryrie Brink's, Caddie Woodlawn Caddie, the 11 year old main character, falls through the ice into the icy water and is saved by her brothers.  This is how everyone responded, "Nobody made much fuss over it.  Pioneer children were always having mishaps, but they were expected to know how to use their heads in emergencies." Oh, no big deal, she just fell in an icy lake, but don't worry we got her out.

Brink also captures the fearless attitude of children. Caddie and her two brothers, aka her partners in crime, decided to cross the river to watch the Indians make a canoe.  "Not one of the three there knew how to swim, but they were going to cross the river nevertheless.  I think all children are fearless but pioneer children may be the most fearless of them all.  Which in turn means the teachers need to be stronger.  My favorite section is when the prim and proper female school teacher decided to punish the oldest misbehaving boy (who was bigger and stronger than her).  "She whipped out her ruler and laid it sharply across that section of Obadiah's person on which he was accustomed to sit."

Caddie Woodlawn is absolutely charming and just a fun book to read.  Brink effortlessly captures both the spirit of pioneer families and the character of headstrong, tomboy Caddie.  I fell in love with all of the characters, and if there were more books about this family I would read them all.

Using your head, not making a fuss, being fearless...that's kids stuff.