Editorial Review:

Product Description:
Alone in the world, teen-aged Hattie is driven to prove up on her uncle's homesteading claim.
For years, sixteen-year-old Hattie's been shuttled between relatives. Tired of being Hattie Here-and-There, she courageously leaves Iowa to prove up on her late uncle's homestead claim near Vida, Montana. With a stubborn stick-to-itiveness, Hattie faces frost, drought and blizzards. Despite many hardships, Hattie forges ahead, sharing her adventures with her friends--especially Charlie, fighting in France--through letters and articles for her hometown paper.

Her backbreaking quest for a home is lightened by her neighbors, the Muellers. But she feels threatened by pressure to be a "Loyal" American, forbidding friendships with folks of German descent. Despite everything, Hattie's determined to stay until a tragedy causes her to discover the true meaning of home.


From the Hardcover edition.

16 year old Hattie Brooks is tired of being Hattie Here-and-There. So when she recives a letter stating that she has inheriated her late uncle Chester's claim, she jumps at the chance. Soon she is headed off to Montana with high hopes and big dreams. But there is one little thing, she has to prove up to her new land. And to do so, she must set up 480 rods of fence and cultivate 40 acres of land. Hattie thinks that she can't do it. But she learns that with good friends and a lot of hard work, she can do anything.

Average Rating:

Rating: - I love this book!
16 year old Hattie Brooks is tired of being Hattie Here-and-There. So when she recives a letter stating that she has inheriated her late uncle Chester's claim, she jumps at the chance. Soon she is headed off to Montana with high hopes and big dreams. But there is one little thing, she has to prove up to her new land. And to do so, she must set up 480 rods of fence and cultivate 40 acres of land. Hattie thinks that she can't do it. But she learns that with good friends and a lot of hard work, she can do anything.

Rating: - Hattie Big Sky
Hattie Big Sky is an engrossing, reader-friendly book. It gives an honest, non-sugar-coated view of the trials and tribulations of homesteading. I have a new admiration for the people who settled the West.

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Rating: - Best historical fiction I've read in 10 years.
A really sweet story with twists and turns. The story is told through the eyes of an independent 16 year old girl. It made me appreciate homesteaders, Montana, and what Americans faced during WWI. Even though it will make you laugh AND cry, there is an ending of hope. I bought 2 more copies to give as gifts to friends who enjoy historical fiction. Good for all ages above 12 years.

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Rating: - A Wonderful Read
I purchased this book without really knowing much about it. However, as I began reading the story I became thoroughly engrossed and just wanted to keep reading. I am not normally a fan of historical fiction, but the author did a wonderful job of taking the reader into the story, and making it feel like you were right there with Hattie as she struggled to find herself and to learn how to homestead. The author does a great job of painting a picture without overemphasizing any aspect or beleaguering points.

Some reviews have disparaged the way the author decided to end the story, saying that it wasn't true to her grandmother's story. However, I had the opportunity to meet and spend some time with Kirby Larson at a Childrens' Literature Conference and she explained that while the story was inspired by her grandmother...it was not her grandmother's story. Even without the author's explanation, I thought the ending was wonderful. A true happy ending that is was not unrealistic. I put the book down with a huge smile on my face and a realization that I had fallen in love with this book and the story. It is a must read and thoroughly deserves the awards it has received.

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Rating: - Hattie Big Sky
For upper elementary school children who are studying American history this gives a vivid picture of what Montana was like for homesteaders. The story is captivating yet eye opening. It is easy to forget the attitudes of early settlers toward Germans during WWI. The vocaulary is good, some new words, yet not too many.

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