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

After immigrating from Sweden to join relatives in an American prairie community, Kirsten endures the ordeal of a strange school through a secret friendship with an Indian girl.

In the winter of 1764, after Kaya and her sister are kidnapped from their Nez Percé village by enemy horse raiders, she tries to find a way to escape back home. Includes historical notes on education and learning among the Nez Percé Indians.

While looking for Steps High, the horse that had been stolen from her, Kaya faces danger from a sudden grassland fire. Includes historical notes on the Nez Percé Indians.

Still grieving over the death of her friend, and missing her stolen horse and kidnapped younger sister, Kaya tries to earn the trust of a lone and starving dog who is about to have puppies. Includes historical notes on Nez Percé children.

Feeling lonesome and missing her sister and her horse who were captured by enemy raiders, Kaya befriends a dog that has wandered near camp. Although others warn her not to trust the animal, Kaya senses something different. Then, an annual gathering makes Kaya hopeful of her sister' return, and a group of hunters bring news of horses running wild in the mountains. Will this summer bring the happy reunions Kaya's tribe is hoping for?

Nine-year-old Kirsten keeps her friendship with a Sioux Indian girl a secret until Kirsten's little brother becomes lost in the woods. Includes a section on Sioux Indians and a project related to the story.

In 1856, Kirsten and her cousins look after the farm while the adults go to town for supplies, and everything is fine--until a blizzard surprises them.

Ten-year-old Kirsten is proud and excited when she finds a bee tree full of honey, one of the natural treasures of her Minnesota frontier world, but she exposes herself to great danger by trying to harvest the honey by herself.