Book #54 - Hattie Big Sky

Hattie Big Sky
Kirby Larson

Blurb: 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 Goodreads)

Length: Medium - 289 pages

Notes: I loved this book!! From the beginning, I fell in love with Hattie and what a strong and determined young woman she was. I can't imagine being so grown up at 16, but this story is very believable. It might have to do with the fact that when reading about the author, she was inspired to write this book after learning that her great-grandmother was a homesteader in Montana. This book made me want to pack up and move to Montana and try my hand at building a farm! I had a hard time rating this on Goodreads - you can rate from 1 to 5 stars. I struggled between a 4 and 5 - I ended up going with 4 just because there is a lot that is left up in the air at the end of the book and you want to know more about how the story really ends. And the ending is not a pretty package - all tied up with a bow, but I am starting to really appreciate books that aren't always "happily ever after", but give a more realistic approach to what really happens in life. I'm so glad I came across a recommendation for this book, though, because I truly loved it!

Random quote : " 'My mama always said piecing quilts is like making friends.' She kept her eyes on the scissors as she cut up a piece of blue ticking. 'Sometimes the more different fabrics - and people - are,' she said, 'the stronger the pattern.'

I looked up at her. She smiled a sad, sweet smile at me. I felt as if she'd looked right into my heart and seen all my warts and flaws, and held her own heart out to me anyway. I swallowed hard at the lump that had gathered in my throat."

Recommend: Yes!

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