Hattie Big Sky
by Kirby Larson

Summary

A story about courage, loyalty, perseverance, and the meaning of home.

For most of her life, sixteen-year-old Hattie Brooks has been shuttled from one distant relative to another. Tired of being Hattie Here-and-There, she courageously leaves Iowa, all by herself, to prove up on her late uncle's Montana homestead claim. "At least now my letters will be more interesting," she writers to her good friend, Charlie, who is fighting the Kaiser in France.

Under the big sky, Hattie braves hard weather, hard times, a cantankerous cow, and her own hopeless hand at the cookstove. Her quest to make a home is championed by new neighbors Perilee Mueller, her German husband, and their children. For the first time in her life, Hattie feels part of a family, finding the strength to stand up against schemes to buy her out and against increasing pressure to be a "loyal" American at a time when anything—or anyone—German is suspect. Despite daily trials, Hattie continues to work her uncle’s claim until an unforeseen tragedy causes her to search her soul for the real meaning of home.

Lovingly stitched together from Kirby Larson's own family history, and the sights, sounds and scents of a homesteading life, this young pioneer's story celebrates the true spirit of independence.

Awards

2007 Newbery Honor Book
2006 Montana Book Award
School Library Journal starred review
Booklist starred review
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
Book Links Lasting Connections of 2006 title
Barnes & Noble Teen Discover Title
Borders Original Voice
2006 Cybils nomination
2007-2008 Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award

About the Author

Kirby Larson is the acclaimed author of the 2007 Newbery Honor Book, Hattie Big Sky, a young adult historical novel she wrote inspired by her great-grandmother who homesteaded by herself in eastern Montana as a young woman. Her passion for historical fiction continues with The Fences Between Us and The Friendship Doll.

In 2006, Kirby began a collaboration with her good friend, Mary Nethery, which has resulted in two award-winning nonfiction picture books: Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship and Survival (illustrated by Jean Cassels) and Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine and a Miracle. They think three’s a lucky number so have their eyes peeled for another project to tackle together.