Laura Ingalls Wilder's sixth "
Little House" book, published in
1940. When a devastating
blizzard hits the Ingallses' claim on the first of October, they decide to move into town for the rest of the
fall and
winter.
Dakota Territory proceeds to be battered by storms constantly until April. No trains can run, which means no supplies and few options for the town of De Smet.
Wheat can only be obtained by people (such as the Wilder brothers) hoarding it for seed, and the only fuel for heat available is
straw. Finally, the
snow melts, and a train comes in so
Christmas can be celebrated...in
May.