Almanzo has been working on the farm with his father, however he is of age to go to the Academy.
Almanzo is not excited to go to the Academy, it means leaving his beloved horse Starlight behind and not being able to be outside working with his hands.
His family gets a letter from Aunt Martha and Uncle George and how wonderful the west is.
Uncle George and Aunt Martha invite them. To their home in Spring Valley, MN to see first hand.
Almanzo' s father decides to go explore the land in MN and takes most of the family with, leaving behind Eliza Jane and Royal to rune the farm while they exploe the west.