Hattie Ever After
By Kate Pavao,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Heroine struggles to become a reporter in strong sequel.
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What's the Story?
With dreams of becoming a professional reporter -- and finding something out about the mysterious uncle who left her his homestead -- Hattie moves from Montana to San Francisco, landing a job as a cleaning lady at the Chronicle. Soon, through hard work and some strong advocates, she moves up in the ranks, from part-time researcher to stringer -- to reporter. She even has the chance to fly in an airplane, talk to President Wilson about his proposal for the League of Nations, and tell the story of other women making their way in the workforce. But, in order to pursue her dreams, she has to keep puttting off her childhood friend Charlie, who wants her to move to Seattle and settle down with him. And her research turns up some nasty family secrets that shake her confidence.
Is It Any Good?
Fans of Larson's Hattie Big Sky will be delighted to find much the same narrator here: Hattie is strong, good-hearted and brave about sharing her mistakes as she tries to become a reporter. HATTIE EVER AFTER is well researched, and readers will get a good sense of city life just before the 1920s, from the era's fashion and politics to what it was like for women to fight their way into the workforce. The author even treats readers to a few postcards of San Francisco from the time. Some of Hattie's reporting breaks seem a bit too fortuitous, such as being stuck in an elevator with the president. Likewise, a storyline about Hattie's friendship with her uncle's mysterious former girlfriend seems contrived; readers will mistrust Ruby from the beginning. In the end, though, readers will cheer as plucky Hattie works hard to become the person she wants to be -- and get everything she ever wanted.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Hattie's life in San Francisco. How would it be different for a young person moving to a city today? What tools does she use as a reporter that seem antiquated?
Also, as a reporter Hattie first focuses on women who entered the workforce during World War I -- and wanted to stay employed after men returned home.
How has the treatment of women at work changed since 1919? Are there still jobs and industries that women are fighting to get into? Some parents and teachers may use this story to bring up more contemporary topics, such as the Paycheck Fairness Act.
Book Details
- Author: Kirby Larson
- Genre: Historical Fiction
- Topics: Great Girl Role Models , History
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Delacorte Press
- Publication date: February 12, 2013
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 12 - 12
- Number of pages: 240
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
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Where to Read
Our Editors Recommend
Historical Fiction
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