Hattie Ever After

By: Kirby Larson

Narrated by: Kirsten Potter, Kirby Larson

Length: 5 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's 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.

©2013 Kirby Larson (P)2013 Listening Library

Critic reviews

"Readers will fall for this earnest, wide-eyed, and strong-minded young woman.... Historical fiction with heart." ( Kirkus Reviews,)

Hattie Finds Her Way

The narrator did a beautiful job, though compared to the protagonist in Hattie Big Sky, I found her to make Hattie sound a little more uppity then we've come to know. Past that though, I found that the author made Hattie's walk fun, compelling, believable if accurate to the time in which she was created. When reading, I was able to escape and travel authentically from the Great Plains to the pre-Golden Gate era right alongside our beloved Hattie, to the Future, which was waiting right there all along. sometimes we have to go the hard path to appreciate where we're going. Enduring thanks to the author for giving Hattie hope and a future.

Great narrator tackles timeless story.

My one and only complaint is the increased amount of romance in Hattie Ever After vs Hattie Big Sky. There's nothing terrible or racy, but I listen with a 1st and 3rd grader- and the love interests of Hattie were not of interest to them. It would be perfect for 5th grade and up. The story is masterfully written and brings this period of history to life.

Such a great story...and great ending!

We love the story even though we were sad she left MT; we loved the reading of it and even the author's commentary at the end was great! It is educational, inspiring, faith-building and example-setting and I and my 4 children ages 8-15 highly recommend it! Some seemed a bit far-fetched but still great!

Loved all of it!

We listened to Hattie Big Sky and then Hattie Ever After as part of our homeschool. Both are amazing books and really engaging for our 8 and 10 year children. They want to hear about Hattie's children!

Tween review

If you could sum up Hattie Ever After in three words, what would they be?

Emotional, determination, decisive

What other book might you compare Hattie Ever After to and why?

Little House series, the Rose years because Rose, also, is a determined woman set on having a career as a reporter.

Have you listened to any of Kirsten Potter and Kirby Larson ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, I listened to Hattie Big Sky first. It was very good which is why I bought the book. I liked this one better.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, it was...and I did!

Any additional comments?

I listened to Hattie Big Sky which this book is the sequel to, and they are both amazing. Both are about a high school girl going from orphan to farm girl to big city girl. I personally enjoyed book two more, but it depends on what you like.

Fabulous

This book is amazing and I love how historically accurate it is I really hope that Kirby Larson writes a third book

This book makes the early 20th Century come to life.

Vivid writing style. It was hard to turn the book off, I thoroughly enjoyed it!