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.

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

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.

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

Kirsten's six-book series is bound in one volume. Kirsten Larson is a Swedish immigrant girl growing up in 1854 Minnesota. "With quiet strength and an open heart, she discovers the true meaning of home -- and that love is the same in any language."--Cover, p.4

Kaya is troubled by a terrible nickname. Her friends call her "Magpie," after an untrustworthy bird that thinks only of itself. Kaya earned her nickname because her little twin brothers wandered off when they were in her care-while Kaya competed in a daring bareback horse race. Although Kaya finds the boys safe, she still must face a punishment. All her friends must, too, since one person's actions affect everyone's safety. The sting of the switch hurts less than the sting of her friends' teasing. A nickname is a strict teacher, and Kaya is fiercely determined to become a better person, one who thinks of others before herself-a girl no one will ever call "Magpie" again. Book jacket.

Presents a collection of stories about the life and times of Kaya, a Nez Perce girl.