For years, sixteen-year-old Hattie’s been shuttled between relatives. Tired of being Hattie Here-and-There, she courageously leaves Iowa to prove up on her late uncle’s homestead claim near Vida, Montana. With a stubborn stick-to-itiveness, Hattie faces frost, drought and blizzards. Despite many hardships, Hattie forges ahead, sharing her adventures with her friends especially Charlie, who is fighting in France, through letters and articles for her hometown newspaper. Her backbreaking quest for a home is lightened by her neighbors, the Muellers. Unfortunately, Hattie feels threatened by pressure to be a "Loyal" American, forbidding friendships with folks of German descent. Despite everything, Hattie’s determined to stay on her homestead claim until a tragedy causes her to discover the true meaning of home.

FACS Connection:  Food preparation, child care, home management, gardening, food preservation, quilting, sewing

283 pages
Published: 2008
Format: Paperback