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Hattie Ever After by Kirby Larson – Reviewed by Allison Jackson
When I was in second or third grade, my parents went to California for a few days. I was excited because it meant I got to stay with my best friend for more than just one night. I always loved spending the night at her house; it was so different from mine. There were five children in my family; only two in hers. She had a very girly bedroom that she didn’t have to share with a sister! And she had not only a Barbie doll, but also the Barbie playhouse. Her family ate dinner in the dining room; we ate in the kitchen. I was thrilled to spend a couple of nights at her house. One afternoon while I was there we went to climb a nearby mountain (probably more of a hill than an actual mountain). I was small for my age, and fearful of many things. At one point the climb became very difficult for me, and I got scared. To this day, I can still remember standing on the side of that mountain, facing west toward California, crying and calling for my parents.
That’s understandable, right? I mean, I was only seven or eight years old. Not at all uncommon behavior for a young child.
Fast forward to senior year in high school. I’m older now, I’ve grown, I’ve matured. No longer a child. It was time to decide which college to attend. We live in the desert of Arizona. My older sister had gone to Northern Arizona University up in the mountains of Flagstaff about two and a half hours away. I had always loved Flagstaff, and especially loved the NAU campus when we visited my sister there. I thought it would be amazing to go to college there in the beautiful pine trees and the cool mountain air, with the quaint older buildings which reminded me of the pictures I had seen of universities in the East, my ideal of what going to college would be like…but I chose Arizona State University in Tempe- a half an hour from my home because NAU seemed so far away from my family. Obviously I had not grown up to be a strong, independent young lady.
I share this as a possible explanation for why I love and am drawn to strong female characters, especially in literature for middle grades and young adults. Not surprisingly I loved Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson. Hattie was a character who stayed with me long after I finished the book so I was thrilled to find out Hattie’s story would continue. The day Hattie Ever After was released I left school as soon as the students were dismissed to run to the bookstore to get my copy. I’m often disappointed in sequels, whether books or movies.
Not this time. As with Hattie Big Sky I found myself captivated by Hattie’s story, eager to find out what would happen, at the same time knowing that each turn of the page brought me closer to the end of her story.
Hattie Ever After picks up where Hattie Big Sky left off. We follow Hattie as she continues to strike out on her own, pursuing her dreams, this time as a big-city newspaper reporter. Although she doesn’t have to endure the hardships of a 16-year-old girl trying to prove up a homestead claim in Montana on her own during World War I, there are still plenty of challenges for Hattie: making her way to a big city, getting a job at a newspaper, then becoming a reporter, and proving herself in a male-dominated profession. And let’s not forget about Charlie: does she follow him or her own dream?
I’m a lot older now, no longer the child crying for her mother nor the college freshman afraid to stray too far from home, and yet even now I could not do the things teenaged Hattie has; I can’t even IMAGINE myself doing them. But I believe that Hattie can and does; Kirby Larson has created a very real, very believable character. I’m sad that Hattie’s story is finished, but I will forever after “know” Hattie.
Hattie Ever After combines two of my favorites in literature: strong female characters and historical fiction. When I grow up, I want to be just like Hattie Inez Brooks.
Allison Jackson is a third grade teacher who loves sharing her passion for reading, books and learning with her students (and anyone else who will listen). She wishes she had better words to express how much she loves Hattie Ever After. It is now one of her favorite books. She is a proud member of the Nerdy Book Club. You can find her on Twitter @azajacks.
Great Review Allison! I like how you talked about your personal connection with Hattie! I think you are taking risks just like Hattie! 🙂
Thanks, Niki! As I said on Twitter, this would not have happened without you. And I so appreciate the comparison to Hattie.
Thanks for the awesome review! Proud of you! 🙂
Reblogged this on The Best of It and commented:
Hattie will resonate with folks for a long time. You’ve read my perspective here on the blog. Here is another. I love it when I meet people who are touched by characters just as I have been.
Thank you, and thank you for reflagging my review. Hattie does stay with you, and she was such a believable character. Nice to “meet” you, too.
Me, too!
It is hard to be brave! Thank you for the great review. I loved both books and like you, loved Hattie. I cannot wait to book talk both titles. You should be proud of your review!
Thank you! The review is ok, but I am proud of trying to be brave. Not surprised you loved both books. They are so, so good!
Excellent review Allison. Hattie’s story is important and inspiring. Your love of this book really comes through!
Thank you, Gigi! I am so happy that you could tell how much I loved the book; worried I didnt convey that enough.
Great review, Allison!
Hattie is a character that lives live to the fullest and “carries on” that strong female role. I love historical fiction because the element of “facts” helps make the stories very believable. Thanks for sharing your own personal connections! 🙂
Thanks, Fran.
Here’s a part of my original post relating to historical fiction (chose to not include it): “I’ve always loved history, but I can remember wanting to know more than just the dates and the facts. I wanted to know what it was like to actually live during particular historical periods. What music was popular, what books were being read, what did people wear, how did they live? That’s why I love historical fiction. It answers those questions for me.”
Worried the personal connections made it more about me than Hattie, but lots of readers are commenting on them.
Allison,
I love history as well. I have been wondering about a “know/wonder” chart when reading historical fiction in order to help sort out the items that are fact (can be proven) vs. the items that add to the magic of fiction or are even “best guess” at the time! It was so fun to use a “know/wonder” chart yesterday! (My new favorite tool)
Thank you for the stupendous review! I am adding both books to my reading list. I like both that it is historical fiction and has such a strong female character. Again, thank you for your words!
Aw, thanks Sarah! Hope you get to read both Hatties really soon.
Beautiful review. I love historical fiction with strong women and Hattie meets my true test of a great book: the love/hate feeling of wanting to know but knowing that you are getting closer to the end. A must read I haven’t read. Thanks Allison.
PS Your back story makes the review even sweeter,
Thanks, Julieanne! Glad I could introduce you to a great book. If you haven’t read Hattie Big Sky yet, read it first.
Thanks for your comment about the back story. Worried about that- worried it made it more about me than Hatte.
I LOVE your review! I was particularly appreciative of how you wove your story into your review of Hattie Ever After. It was a beautiful demonstration of how/why your are so drawn to Hattie. Do you share this with your students? I’m sure they clamor for books when you talk about them. I haven’t read Hattie, yet, but I’m going to get copies if both books now. 🙂
Thank you, Kristin! I really worried about including so much of my story in the review because I wanted it to be all about the book. But you are right, of course- it explains 1 reason why I connected so strongly to Hattie.
I haven’t yet shared either book with my 3rd graders. Later in the year I will at least read Hattie Big Sky to them. But I did show them the book, and my review- to encourage them to take risks this year. I was terrified to write this review!
So glad you plan on reading both books. They are both so good!