BookBright
ABOUT THE BOOK
NO SPOILERSSixteen-year-old orphan Hattie Brooks has spent her whole life being shuffled from one relative to another, never having a place she could truly call her own. When a letter arrives in December 1917 from a Montana land agent, she learns that her long-lost Uncle Chester has died and left her his homestead claim near Vida, Montana. The catch is that she has less than a year to prove it up by planting crops, building fence, and meeting the government's requirements. With her only real friend, Charlie Hawley, newly off to fight in World War I, Hattie packs up her cat Mr. Whiskers and boards a train west, trading life with her cold-hearted Aunt Ivy for 320 acres of bare Montana prairie and the chance to finally belong somewhere.
Free Battle of the Books questions for Hattie Big Sky
SPOILERSEvery one of these has the same answer, and that is the point. In a real battle the question is read aloud with a dozen other books in play, and students have a few seconds to place it. Here is what a battle might ask about Hattie Big Sky. Use them as a quiz, a trivia round, or BOTB practice.
Where in the book they come from
- Early in the book
In what book does an uncle's will leave his niece a horse named Plug and a contemptible cow named Violet?
✓ Answer
Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson
Uncle Chester's will leaves Hattie his Montana claim along with one steadfast horse named Plug and a contemptible cow known as Violet. The postscript also tells her to bring warm clothes and a cat.
- First half
In what book does an Iowa girl earn fifteen dollars a month writing a homestead column called Honyocker's Homily?
✓ Answer
Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson
Uncle Holt secretly shares Hattie's letters with the editor of the Arlington News. The editor offers her fifteen dollars per installment to write Honyocker's Homily, providing essential income for her homestead expenses.
- First half
In what book does a pregnant woman who limps insist that piecing quilts is like making friends?
✓ Answer
Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson
Perilee tells Hattie that the more different the fabrics, the stronger the pattern. She is teaching Hattie not just about quilts but about life on the prairie, where neighbors of all backgrounds must rely on each other.
- Second half
In what book does an old man use a wrecked bicycle as a trellis for his string beans?
✓ Answer
Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson
After Rooster Jim's disastrous bicycle ride through Vida, he finds a use for the wheeled terror. The narrator laughs out loud when she walks up to his place and sees the bicycle planted right in his garden.
- Second half
In what book does the narrator pledge one hundred dollars in war stamps after being threatened with a judge?
✓ Answer
Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson
On National War Savings Day, Hattie tries to pledge less because she cannot afford more. Traft's man threatens to haul her before the judge for unpatriotic behavior. Thinking of Elmer's arrest and Karl's burned barn, she crosses out her amount and writes one hundred dollars.
- Near the end
In what book does a girl surprise neighbors by pitching a snake ball at a Fourth of July baseball game?
✓ Answer
Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson
At the Wolf Creek Independence Day picnic, Hattie surprises everyone by pulling a baseball mitt out of her basket. After striking out two batters, she throws her snake ball to Wayne Robbins, who launches it deep into the outfield to win the game.
