46 pages • 1 hour read
Hattie Big Sky
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Book Brief
304
Novel • Fiction
Montana • 1910s
2006
YA
10-14 years
700L
Super Short Summary
In American author Kirby Larson's 2006 Newbery Honor-winning children's novel, Hattie Big Sky, sixteen-year-old orphan Hattie Brooks moves to a farm in Montana during World War I and adjusts to life as a homesteader. She develops a self-reliant identity through numerous struggles, finding community and purpose, while communicating with her Uncle Holt and friend Charlie via letters. The novel includes experiences of war and loss.
Inspirational
Adventurous
Emotional
Hopeful
Bittersweet
Reviews & Readership
19,526 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Kirby Larson's Hattie Big Sky receives praise for its strong, relatable protagonist and rich historical detail, immersing readers in the struggles of early 20th-century homesteading. However, some critique its slow pacing and occasional predictability in plot. Overall, the novel is appreciated for its heartfelt exploration of resilience and determination.
Who Should Read Hattie Big Sky?
Fans of historical fiction and strong female protagonists will relish Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson. Comparable to Little House on the Prairie and Anne of Green Gables, this novel suits readers who enjoy tales of perseverance, independence, and frontier life during the early 20th century.
19,526 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Perilee Mueller
Perilee Mueller
Hattie's best friend and mentor, Perilee is a warm and loving figure who provides Hattie with acceptance and guidance. She is the wife of Karl Mueller and deeply cares for her family and friends.
Traft Martin
Traft Martin
The novel’s antagonist and leader of the Dawson County Council of Defense, Traft is a rancher with strong views on American nationalism. His interests conflict with Hattie's, as he wishes to buy her land and enforces his beliefs on the community.
Karl Mueller
Karl Mueller
Perilee's husband and a German immigrant, Karl is a kind but shy man who fears for his family's safety due to prejudice against his heritage. Despite being reserved, he is deeply committed to protecting his loved ones.
304
Novel • Fiction
Montana • 1910s
2006
YA
10-14 years
700L
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