Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson
Reviewed by BridgetRatings
Content Ratings based on a 0-5 scale where
0 = no objectionable content and
5 = an excessive or disturbing level of content
LANGUAGE
VIOLENCE
SEXUAL CONTENT
ADULT THEMES
2007 Newbery Honor Book
Ratings Explanation
Language: As Hattie is milking, the cantankerous cow slaps Hattie’s face with her tail. Hattie slaps the cow back and practices a curse word she heard on the train. Hattie thinks, “There was no Aunt Ivy to recoil in horror at my language and, truth be told, there is nothing like the occasional outburst of profanity to calm jangled nerves.”
Violence: Violet the cow, is attacked by a wolf while grazing. Hattie rescues the cow from certain death. However, the wolf makes off with Violet’s tail. An arsonist set the Mueller’s barn on fire because Karl was born in Germany. A lawyer, Mr. Ebgard, is ruffed up by members of the Council of Defense because he wrote a letter defending a minister preaching to his German congregation in German.
Adult Themes: Prejudice prevails against German Americans during World War I. The Flu Epidemic of 1918 claims the life of Perilee and Karl’s young daughter, Mattie. Hattie helps deliver Perilee’s baby. Hattie ties off the cord, thumps the baby on the back and tries not to be too alarmed by the amount of blood as she cleans up the birthing room.
Synopsis
Hattie Here-and-There, a sixteen year old orphan has been shuttled from one relative to another throughout her life. When given the opportunity to go west and prove up on her late Uncle Chester’s homestead claim in Montana, Hattie courageously begins her journey. Hattie’s best friend, Charlie is “Fighting the Kaiser” in Europe during World War I. Hattie and Charlie correspond and detail their separate adventures.
When Hattie arrives in Montana, she learns to brave the elements, build fences, milk a cranky cow, cook edible food and nurture her neighbors. Hattie is befriended by Perilee Mueller, her German born husband, Karl, and their children. For the first time, Hattie feels at home. She learns the real definition of home. Hattie finds the strength to stand up to Taft Martin and his gang of rowdies, the “Council of Defense”, who make life difficult for anyone of German descent during World War I.
I devoured this Willa Cather-esque book! I was enthralled with Hattie’s determination as she assumed her late Uncle Chester’s homesteading claim and the many tasks required to “prove up” the claim. I found the history of hardship for Americans of German descent during World War I fascinating. Kudos to Kirby Larson for a well-written story based on her great-grandmother’s homesteading experience as a sixteen year old girl. I look forward to reading more of Larson’s work. A great read for 4th-8th grade readers.
©2009 The Literate Mother