The Runaway Friend

For the book focused on Maryellen Larkin, see The Runaway.

The Runaway Friend is a Historical Character Mystery that is part of Kirsten's books.

Characters

From the Central Series

• Kirsten Larson
• Greta Larson
• Anders Larson
• Peter Larson
• Lars Larson
• Inger Larson
• Lisbeth Larson
• Olav Larson
• Anna Larson

Only in The Runaway Friend

• Erik Sandahl
• Johanna Green
• Mr. and Mrs. Green
• Reverend Trulsson
• Miss Mobeck
• The Berg Brothers
• Gustav
• Sigrid Sandahl

Chapter By Chapter Summary

Looking Back

Discusses the challenges immigrants and pioneers faced in the 1850s. Topics include:

• European immigrants migrating to America for land to farm
• Challenges settlers faced on newly started out farms, such as doing field work by hand
• The role women played on family farms, not only doing field work during the day but housework during the evenings
• The role children played on family farms
• How settlers relied on friends and family for farm help
• Dangers settlers faced out in the prairie, such as storms, pest invasions, and wild animals
• Settlers' fear of wolves
• Women and children's fear of the Indigenous, including the Sioux and Ojibwe
• How immigrants were persuaded to move to America, such as letters from relatives or travel books
• Immigrants' struggles with homesickness, especially among adults and the elderly, despite living near relatives and other people with the same background
• Immigrants' beliefs in giving their children a better future in America

Glossary of Swedish Words

The book contains a glossary of the Swedish words used in the book.