Hattie on Her Way

Hattie on Her Way
Author: Clara Gillow Clark
Publisher: Candlewick Press (2005)
ISBN: 0763622869

3.5 (out of 5) STARS


Summary: After Hattie's mother passes away, her father takes her to live with her maternal grandmother. Fiesty Hattie has a difficult time adjusting to proper society but grows to love her grandmother very much. She also learns the secret about her grandfather which helps explain some of her mother's behavior as well.

Review:“But now my ma was buried under the plum tree by our little cabin back home in the hills above Pepacton, where I was born.” Mattie’s father takes Mattie to go live with her maternal grandmother after the death of her mother. Mattie would prefer to be out working in the woods with her father, but now her grandmother wants her to learn to be a lady.

Mattie starts to hear whispers of rumors around town about the fate of her maternal grandfather. It is rumored that Mattie’s grandmother killed her grandfather. Although Mattie does not quite believe this, she is still frightened and worried about it. Mattie learns over time it is not murder that plagues her family but mental illness, most likely schizophrenia.

Although this book was not an amazing piece of work, it was an enjoyable read. Sometimes it is nice to read a book where the ending is positive and a group of people bond together to help each other out. It may not always be realistic, but it is still a pleasant read.