Character Analysis: Hattie Big Sky

Imagine living alone at 16, thousands of miles from your only family, no friends, and trying to gain land of your own. Hattie Brooks did just that, she was always known as Hattie Here-and-There because her parents died when she was young and she was shipped from relative to relative. She was bound to change that. She wanted something of her own, she wanted a home. So, in 1918 after receiving a letter leaving a homestead claim to her from a long lost uncle Chester she packed up all she owned and moved to Montana. She quickly found out how difficult and demanding farm life was. In order to own the land officially she had to prove up which included having to set 480 rods of fence, cultivate one eighth of land, and pay thirty-seven seventy-five

in ten months. Hattie made friends who helped her out of many difficult situations. They included Perliee and Karl Mueller and their children, Leafie, Rooster Jim, Grace Robbins, Bub Nefzger, and Mr.

Ebgard. Hattie enjoyed writing back to Uncle Holt, the man she was living with before she moved west, and her good friend Charlie who was fighting the Kaiser in France. Hattie's dream of proving up was dwindling after several events took place. Hattie was determined to prove up but first she had to figure out what having a home and a family really meant. Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson was inspiring, captivating, and possessed a determined character.
Kirby Larson had many strengths throughout her writing including strong imagery, realistic details, and the use of foreshadowing. Larson used strong imagery throughout her story, this allowed me to make a visual image of the scene. One of these scenes was with wild horses, "I ripped off my skirt and petticoat and began flapping them like a demented bird in bloomers. The stallion froze at the creek's edge. His herd stopped, too, as one whinnying and stamping as he paced back and forth. 'Hee-yaw!' I waved and yelled and danced around (Larson 155)." Her word choice was strong, allowing the reader to feel like they were in that situation with Hattie. You were able to have visual images going

through your mind the whole time you were reading Hattie Big Sky. Another strength of this book is that realistic details were used throughout the story. This story was a recreation of her great-grandmother life story. From the start the story was not all perfect and happy. The characters went through real life struggles and hardships. Some of these hardships included losing a child dear to Hattie's heart. "The next day, Karl came back with a small, sound coffin he had built himself. October 28, the day I turned seventeen, was now a funeral day. Perilee was still too ill to move, so Karl, Leafie, Chase, and I would bury our girl (Larson 262)." The book wasn't all easy going for the characters. Hattie faced realistic challenges and handled them in a realistic way. Since everything didn't go Hattie's way I was able to connect with the story better. Since Larson had a family member that went through these events she wrote from her heart and was easy to relate to. The next strength is the use of foreshadowing. Larson used it at the beginning of the chapters, making you want to know what was going to happen. Like at the beginning of chapter twelve when she was writing a letter to Charlie, "At the end of a sad day in April (Larson 138)." Larson used foreshadowing as a way to make the reader not want to put the book down. Kirby Larson's writing style made this book griping, inviting, and powerful.
Although this book contained mostly strengths there were a couple weaknesses. One of these weaknesses was the use of German. There were parts of the book where they would use German but then they would not translate it to English. "He held her tenderly, bringing her face close to his. 'Mein süsses kind,' he murmured. He kissed her gently on the forehead (Larson 200)." If you don't speak German you can't always follow what they say. So, that was a downside to this book. Another weakness of this book for me was the ending. Even though Hattie explained what she was going to do I still thought it ended abruptly. I thought of the ending as more of a continuous. "But there was one thing I left behind: Hattie Here-and There. I wasn't going to miss her. Not one bit. I settled in and faced west (Larson 283)." After reading this book's ending I was disappointed. But all of the strengths out way these two weaknesses making this book very enjoyable.
Hattie Big Sky was riveting, delightful, and was a pleasant read. With these qualities I would give it a five star rating. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a book about a strong-willed, independent women, who doesn't need a man to follow her dreams. I would also recommend this book to anyone who loves a book about family importance and knowing the true meaning of home.
Sixteen year old Hattie Brooks received a letter in the mail from her long lost uncle Chester . He left her his homestead claim in Montana. So, the strong, independent teen set out to Montana. Hattie made friends and continued to never give up. When Hattie was going to Montana she never dreamed she would find the most important thing to her, a family. A determined character in the inspiring and captivating story of Hattie Big Sky made this book be one that I will never forget. This book showed me that home is not where you live but it's where your family is. Also to some people family doesn't have to mean blood related. Hattie Big Sky showed the true meaning of family, people you would drop anything to help, and most importantly people who love you.