Retro Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Angie of Angieville and "focuses on reviewing books from the past. This can be an old favorite, an under-the-radar book you think deserves more attention, something woefully out of print, etc."
Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson
Publisher: Yearling
Publication date: September 2006
ISBN: 9780385735957
Source: Audiobook downloaded from the library
Hattie has lived all her life depending on the charity of family. But, when her uncle leaves her a claim for land in Montana, she embarks on the adventure of a lifetime - trying to prove up that claim so she can keep the land. She faces the deadly winter of Montana and the harsh life that the prairie can exact of its settlers. Will she meet the deadline and will she be able to survive until then?
Things I Liked:
This story is fantastic! I just fell in love with Hattie and I laughed and cried through everything she faced and overcame. Her determination, her strength of character and will can inspire any person to do difficult things. I've always had a soft spot for settler stories and this is a darn good one. I especially loved the other stories she wove into this tale - the prejudice many fought against and the fear of foreigners during WWI. Most stories show that during WWII, but not as many have it occurring during WWI as well. A fantastic story that any historical fiction fan should read. I was a big fan of the narrator in this audiobook (listened on the drive to Arizona while I was moving). She really captured the character and spunk of Hattie.
Things I Didn't Like:
Honestly, I just loved it. The ending was a little bittersweet, but I think that was the best way to do it. I didn't like the narrator's male voices very much, but since it was mostly Hattie, it didn't bother me too much. Read it (or listen to it) if you haven't already!
Read-alikes:
Reminded me a little of These Is My Words by Nancy Turner
Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingells Wilder (of course)
Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan
BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none
mrg-factor: none
v-factor: none
Overall rating: *****
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