Review: Hattie Ever After

Title: Hattie Ever After
Author: Kirby Larson
Publication Date: February 12, 2013
Publisher: Delacorte Press for Young Readers (Random House Children's Books)

Source: Netgalley Advanced Reader Copy.

Goodreads Summary: After leaving Uncle Chester's homestead claim, orphan Hattie Brooks throws a lasso around a new dream, even bigger than the Montana sky. She wants to be a reporter, knowing full well that a few pieces published in the Arlington News will not suffice. Real reporters must go to Grand Places, and do Grand Things, like Hattie's hero Nellie Bly. Another girl might be stymied by this, but Hattie has faced down a hungry wolf and stood up to a mob of angry men. Nothing can squash her desire to write for a big city newspaper. A letter and love token from Uncle Chester's old flame in San Francisco fuels that desire and Hattie jumps at the opportunity to get there by working as a seamstress for a traveling acting troupe. This could be her chance to solve the mystery of her "scoundrel" uncle and, in the process, help her learn more about herself. But Hattie must first tell Charlie that she will not join him in Seattle. Even though her heart approves of Charlie's plan for their marriage, her mind fears that saying yes to him would be saying no to herself. Hattie holds her own in the big city, literally pitching her way to a byline, and a career that could be even bigger than Nellie Bly's. But can making headlines compensate for the pain of betrayal and lost love? Hattie must dig deep to find her own true place in the world. Kirby Larson once again creates a lovingly written novel about the remarkable and resilient young orphan, Hattie Inez Brooks.

What I Thought: I absolutely fell in love with Hattie in Hattie Big Sky and was so excited to see that there would be another book with this amazing character. I loved the way this book really stayed true to the character and her independent spirit. One of the best things about this book is its portrayal of life for a woman in this era in the history of the United States. Hattie struggles to work up the ladder to become a reporter and has to endure through betrayal and deceit of those around her. This story was an absolute joy to read and had me enthralled throughout. I absolutely recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a great story and learn a little bit about history. I will be buying Hattie Ever After as soon as its available for my classroom library and I can't wait to put it in the hands of young readers!

If you haven't read Hattie Big Sky yet, there is still time before this sequel hits the shelves. What are you waiting for? Get out there and read it. Both books about Hattie are must reads!