Laddie: A True Blue Story

By Gene Stratton-Porter

Book Overview

"Laddie: A True Blue Story" is a celebrated semi-autobiographical novel that offers a poignant and heartwarming look at life in rural Indiana. Narrated by the youngest member of the Stanton family, known simply as "Little Sister," the story revolves around her profound admiration for her older brother, Laddie. A man of exceptional character and integrity, Laddie navigates the complexities of family expectations and romantic pursuit in a close-knit farming community.

The narrative focuses on Laddie's courtship of the "Princess," the daughter of a mysterious and wealthy English neighbor. Through this central romance, Gene Stratton-Porter explores themes of social standing, the importance of faith, and the enduring strength of family bonds. Rich with the author's signature appreciation for the natural world, the book provides detailed and evocative descriptions of the Midwestern landscape.

As a classic of American literature, "Laddie: A True Blue Story" captures the essence of a bygone era, emphasizing the values of honesty, hard work, and devotion. It remains a beloved work for its wholesome storytelling, emotional resonance, and its vivid portrayal of the joys and hardships of early twentieth-century country life.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1025379128
• ISBN13: 9781025379128
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: Tradd Street Press
• Length: 390 Pages
• Weight: 1.59 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Great book, poor edition

I borrowed Laddie from the library more than once before I decided I liked it so much I wanted to own it. But this printing is very disappointing. There are chapter headings and page headings in the middle of pages, typos, almost no page margins. It was put together very haphazardly and I wish I could get my money back.

Class above

I recently received a copy of "Laddie", that was given to my mother-in-law 75 years ago for her 11th birthday. This was a very easy read and written at a very different time. Yes, there were harsh realities faced but good prevails. This would be a very wholesome book to share with a family of young children with a family reading time vs the idiot box. Real family values are presented in a story form and it will take you through many emotions. I highly recommend it. This week I also finished "A Girl of the Limberlost" and have started "Freckles". Make sure the phone and other distractions are taken care of before you begin. Enjoy.

Superior imagery of a world now lost

Gene Stratton-Porter books figured heavily in the world of my childhood. I loved all of them, but a special place was always reserved for Laddie. I have no idea how many times I read it. This look at the lives and personalities of an Indiana farm family provides a glimpse of a world no longer existing. The emphasis on God is a little heavy, but it is seen through the eyes of a fascinating child, and probably illustrates moral values and issues of the time and culture accurately.

Read this book 17 times by the time I was 13

Laddie was my most beloved book as a pre-teenager. I absolultely loved the world portrayed, and with each rereading (17 readings in all) I was more caught up in the world of Little Sister (what was her name? We never do find out, do we?) I'm thrilled to see that it's available, as my old copy is in tatters, with pages missing and held together with a rubber band.

a truly delightful heartwarming story

I read this story aloud to my 10 year old daughter and 11 year old son. We laughed, we cried, we wondered what would happen next, we were oh so sorry when the book was done. My kids said it was their all time favorite of the many many books we have read aloud together. This is the kind of story that inspires great character and kindly behavior....something that is sadly lacking in most modern liturature for the young. Well worth reading, alone or aloud.