This Newbery Honor winning, New York Times bestseller celebrates the true spirit of independence on the American frontier. 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 summons the courage to leave Iowa and move all by herself to Vida, Montana, to prove up on her late uncle’s homestead claim. 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 Traft Martin’s 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. This young pioneer's story is lovingly stitched together from Kirby Larson’s own family history and the sights, sounds, and scents of homesteading life. AN AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION BEST BOOK FOR YOUNG ADULTS A SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL BEST BOOK A BOOKLIST EDITORS' CHOICE NAMED TO 13 STATE AWARD LISTS "A marvelous story about courage, loyalty, perseverance, and the meaning of home." --Newbery Award-Winning Author Karen Cushman
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"I loved this book. I continued to think about it when I was not reading it, pondering Hattie's situation and her sorrows. I was curious why Hattie washed her hair in sugar water and began to research it and other things I was unfamiliar with about the era. The characters in this story seemed very real to me. I began to wonder about books that Chase would enjoy reading and decided to try out Perilee's recipes. These are all indicators of a well crafted story. I think a good project for this book would be to write Hattie a letter and ask her questions about Montana farm life."
— Julee (5 out of 5 stars)
" This was a wonderful coming of age story that was richly told. I would definitely recomend this to anyone looking for a good historical novel. "
— Madame, 2/19/2014" I was shocked by how much I loved this book. One of the librarians suggested it when I told her I was desperate for some good reading. The premise seemed uninteresting, but after a few pages, I was sucked in by the poetical writing. I loved it. Beautiful, beautiful writing. "
— Kate, 2/12/2014" good story could see and feel the, only i wanted a better ending. "
— Brooke, 2/5/2014" Hattie's uncle leaves her his land in Montana, but she must homestead it before it becomes hers. Good story about a young girl on her own, prejudice against foreigners, and life in early Montana. "
— Suzan, 1/25/2014" Such an inspirational story. I want to learn more about the REAL Hattie Inez Brooks! "
— Aysha, 1/25/2014" Love her strength and perseverance throughout this book. This book has the potential to be very dull, but it never was - a great read - highly recommended! "
— Kristen, 1/20/2014" If you have not read this book you simply have to. "
— Celia, 1/13/2014" If you are interested in how German-Americans were treated during World War II and how homesteaders survived in Montana at the time of the war, you will enjoy this book. "
— Cora, 1/11/2014" This is a great story. I was a little disappointed with the ending though. I felt like the author just sort of stopped the story. I wish Hattie would have been the one to find success and Charlie would have been able to go to Montana to be with her. Overall, though a great read! "
— Jennefer, 1/3/2014" I liked this - the Montana setting, the time period, the characters - well enough, but the whole anti-German sentiment plotline was just too hackneyed and cliched. I liked the bittersweet/hopeful ending though. "
— Kirsten, 12/10/2013" This was a really great book. A different story than any I had read before. "
— Veronica, 8/27/2013Kirby Larson is an award-winning author of a number of books for children. Her book, Hattie Big Sky, won the 2007 Newbery Honor Award. A frequent speaker, she has shared her passion for research, reading, and writing at more than two hundred schools, workshops, and seminars in the United States and as far away as Qatar, Lebanon, and Guam.
Kirsten Potter has won several awards, including more than a dozen AudioFile Earphones Awards and been a three-time finalist for the prestigious Audie Award for best narration. Her work has been recognized by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts and by AudioFile magazine, among many others. She graduated with highest honors from Boston University and has performed on stage and in film and television, including roles on Medium, Bones, and Judging Amy.