 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Hattie Big Sky
- By Kirby Larson
- Genre: Historical Fiction
Common Sense Media says
Teen girl homesteads alone in Newbery Honor book.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this Newbery Honor novel takes place during World War I, and Americans of German descent are discriminated against, sometimes violently, though nothing worse than a barn-burning and a kick takes place here. Also, there is a scene of childbirth. The unabridged audio version is read by Kirsten Potter.
What's the story?
During World War I, Hattie is an orphan passed from relative to relative, when she receives word that an uncle has left her a homesteading claim in Montana. With nothing to stay for, she heads West alone, only to find that the claim is a shack, a Montana winter is setting in, and she has less than a year to fence the land, plant crops and pay the fees, or else lose the claim.
She is warmly welcomed by her immediate neighbors, with whom she becomes fast friends. But she has a lot to battle: brutal weather, her own inexperience and loneliness, and bigoted locals who seek to punish those of German descent, their friends, and anyone they think is insufficiently patriotic. Includes recipes, Author's Note, and a reading list.
Is it any good?
This warmhearted and gritty story of early 20th century pioneering is more realistic than most novels of this genre. The bad guys are not quite as bad as they seem, things don't always work out as you might hope, people die unexpectedly of unadventurous things such as disease, and life is hard but never unremittingly bleak. The little moments of friendship and kindness shine bright, and the result is not rose-tinted, but recognizably true.
In addition to the riveting frontier survival story, and the tension of the anti-German sentiment, the characters are unusually delightful, including Hattie, who tells her own story in a sensible, self-deprecating style, and Chase, an 8-year-old wise beyond his years. The only sour note comes in the About the Author page at the back and on the flap -- apparently the author has some scores to settle, and has chosen this inappropriate place to do it.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the hatred and bigotry expressed by some of the characters in this book. Why do they act this way? Are the characters' fears reasonable given that the country is at war? Are there any parallels to today?
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AGE
Great Historical Read!
I loved this cross between "Little House On The Prairie" and "Pride and Prejudice." It starts out a little slow, but once I started to read it, I was HOOKED! I read this around the time I was ten, and it's not inappropriate, but the situations surrounding World War One can be a little hard to understand for a kid under the age of ten.
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AGE
A must read book that a cried all through!!
Hattie Big sky was a GREAT book that we read at school. It taught us many useful things. Perilee was probably the plot of the story. I love this book even when i cried!
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AGE
I could not put this book down!
This book was refreshingly exciting to me. There were moments of adventure, heartache, and great relationships portrayed. The main character is a girl you could look up to. She is strong and determined. Loyal to her friends.
There is no profane language, or sexual content in this book. There is a scene of childbirth that may be uncomfortable for younger children to read. There are a few characters who smoke cigarettes or a pipe.
There is a death of a child, which may be very sad for children. I cried!
My only complaint it that is was too short! :o)
A great book!
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AGE
A really good book about life and racism
This book was really good. It was about a teenage girl who has never felt she belonged anywhere trying to find a place to belong and call her home. Through this experience she learns about the hard work and self dedication it takes to do something for yourself and prove to other people that you are worthy of trust and kindness. All of her experiences on the prairie teach her the valuably lesson that just because someone wasn't born where you were doesn't mean they aren't kind and should be treated unfairly.
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AGE
I good book with a good message
I loved this book. I'm not really a history fan, but I did like the fact that this book gave the reader different perspective on life during war.Even on 320 acres of Montana land people were affected by the happenings over seas. As for the whole message of the story, I thought it showed the true meaning of loyalty, family and friends. I liked it alot!
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AGE
I had to read it!
I had to read this book for school so I was forced to read it! I am very disapointed that I had to read it. I don't think that anyone should read this book!
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AGE
This is DEPRESSING! :( If you cant't stand sad books, do NOT read! Educational, though.
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AGE
it is a good book for anybody that likes to read
i love this book i am only 14 and love it i think it is a good educational type thing if you love the older setting theme type books you will love this book!
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AGE
A trip to reality
It was a really good book my teacher let me read it and i am 13 and it didnt affect me any its not like your kids have never seen a cigarret before the book doesn't describe it to the t it just says thing like a man sitting there chewing tabacco it's not a bad book because its real not like all the other books where they try to sugar coat it your kids need a bit of reality so let them read the book and lay off
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| Author: | Kirby Larson |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Historical Fiction |
| Publisher: | Delacorte Press |
| Publication date: | September 1, 2006 |
| Number of pages: | 289 |
| Hardcover price: | $15.95 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 12 - 12 |
| Read aloud: | 10 |
| Read alone: | 11 |
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