YA Historical Fiction: HATTIE BIG SKY by Kirby Larson

Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson

Larson, Kirby. 2006. HATTIE BIG SKY. New York: Delacorte Press. ISBN 0385733135

               Hattie Brooks is an ambitious sixteen year old who is bequeathed her uncle’s homestead claim in Montana. Tired of being Hattie Here-and-there, having been passed from family to family after she was orphaned, she longs to have a permanent place to call home. She ventures out alone, with her cat Mr. Whiskers, to finish the provisions of proving the claim. Not a simple task with fencing and crops and the fee to be paid. The harsh realities of frontier life quickly erode away the romantic dreams of a quaint farm life. With help from caring and kind neighbors, Hattie is able to survive and make gains in proving the claim. However, more than the obstacles of nature hinder her quest, from the stresses caused by the country involved in World War I, both emotional and financial, to the violent threats from the hysterical suspicion of anything German, and greed of unkind neighbors. Hattie learns the lessons life, both bitter and sweet, as she battles to prove her land and herself. 

               Based on the experiences of author’s great-grandmother, Hattie is a somewhat larger than life protagonist that is quite extraordinary, but believable.  Though her problems are primarily related to those of her situation and time period, she also is shown to deal with issues of teens today. Her idealism and naiveté is endearing, while her toughness and fortitude is inspiring. Hattie loves to write, each chapter beginning with one of her letters, some of which were published in a newspaper. “The authentic first-person narrative, full of hope and anxiety, effectively portrays Hattie's struggles as a young woman with limited options, a homesteader facing terrible odds, and a loyal citizen confused about the war and the local anti-German bias that endangers her new friends” (Kathleen Odean, Booklist, Sep. 1, 2006). The cast of characters which surround Hattie, from her soldier correspondent Charlie and adopted family of the Muellers to the devious Traft Martin, round the story out and pull readers into her world.  

               The setting and plot are intriguing, with the familiar survival on the frontier farm unusually combined with the hardships of World War I.  Set in 1918, the effects of a war having been in progress and nearing an end on the life of those left behind are shown. “As I stretched each strand of wire, tapped it into place with a staple, stretched and tapped, stretched and tapped, I thought again of that conversation in Wolf Point between Mr. Hanson and Perilee. About folks who called sauerkraut “liberty cabbage” in order to swallow it down with their supper. And of Charlie doing his duty, eager to finish off a German or two. I thought about all the fences that get built in this world - the ones that divide folks and tear them up, like the actions of the Kaiser and his henchmen, and the ones that bring folks closer together, like this stretch of fence Karl Mueller had built for me” (Larson 80).  Though, the main focus is on Hattie and her struggles, both comical and heartbreaking, in forging a new life and accomplishing a seemingly impossible task. The events are very believable and plausible, giving the reader a real sense of what life was like then for those people. There is a true authentic fell to the story. Prevalent themes include patriotism, bigotry, dealing with loss, overcoming challenges, community dynamics, and proving oneself. “Her discovery of enormous strength within herself as she makes independent decisions on what is right, how to lead her life, and build her character makes this a delightful and empowering book for young women who will enjoy some of the eccentric Montana characters as much as Hattie's forthrightness and intimate concerns”(Elisabeth Greenberg, Children's Literature).

Classroom Connections

-        Complete a research or background project about homesteading, the requirements, the propaganda, and the experience of homesteaders.

-        Do a paired reading with a nonfiction book about WWI 

Best Books:

Best Children's Books of the Year, 2007 ; Bank Street College of Education; United States
Book Sense Children's Picks, Winter 2006/2007 ; American Booksellers Association; United States
Booklist Book Review Stars , Sep. 1, 2006 ; United States
Booklist Editors' Choice: Books for Youth, 2006 ; Booklist Editor's Choice; United States
Children's Pick of the List, 2006 ; NAIBA; United States
Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to Ninth Edition, 2007 ; H.W. Wilson Company; United States
Notable Children's Books, 2007 ; ALSC American Library Association; United States
Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 2007 ; National Council for the Social Studies; United States
School Library Journal Best Books, 2006 ; Cahners; United States
School Library Journal Book Review Stars, November 2006 ; Cahners; United States
Senior High Core Collection, Seventeenth Edition, 2007 ; The H. W. Wilson Co.; United States
Top 10 Women's History Books for Youth , 2007 ; Booklist; United States
YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, 2007 ; American Library Association; United States

Awards, Honors, Prizes:

Cybil Award, 2006 Finalist Young Adult Fiction United States
John Newbery Medal, 2007 Honor Book United States
Montana Book Award, 2006 Winner United States