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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What month is coming up shortly?

2. Who rides up with a cow?

3. What does Rooster Jim offer to do as he is riding by one day?

4. How does Hattie's uncle Holt surprise Hattie?

5. What is the response of some of the other ladies when Hattie recommends a Mueller?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the first homesteading lesson Hattie learns the next morning as she goes to draw water for her coffee?

2. What happens when Perilee and the children go with Hattie to church?

3. How does Violet lose part of her tail?

4. What is Hattie's newest challenge in homesteading, and how has Uncle Chester helped?

5. Describe the interaction between Traft and Hattie on April 2.

6. Describe Hattie's initial plowing efforts.

7. With what does Perilee leave Hattie as they drop her off at her new home, and what does Hattie give her in return?

8. Where does Hattie go to live at age 13, and what is Ivy's reaction to Hattie?

9. What does Mr. Saboe announce?

10. Explain the situation that changes the friendly reception at the church for Hattie.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Kirby Larson.

2. What in Kirby Larson's background may have helped her in writing "Hattie Big Sky"? What may have influenced the way she depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

Essay Topic 2

Over the course of "Hattie Big Sky", Hattie grows as a person in both complexity and understanding. "Hattie Big Sky" might be considered a slice of Hattie's larger story of her "coming of age." It might be said that "Hattie Big Sky" is a "bildungsroman" of the narrator. Discuss the following:

1. Define Bildungsroman, or "Coming of Age," and give several examples from literature you have read.

2. Trace and analyze Hattie as she changes from a naive, innocent girl to a wiser, young woman. What are the significant events that change her?

3. After thoroughly analyzing the narrator's growth throughout the novel, do you think "Hattie Big Sky" could be considered Hattie's coming of age story? Why or why not?

4. Are there any other characters in "Hattie Big Sky" who go through a coming of age experience? Who? Why do you think so? (Perhaps Charlie?)

Essay Topic 3

Titles often play a vital role in making a person decide to read a particular book. Discuss the following:

1. Fully explain why you think "Hattie Big Sky" is titled as such. Do you think it is the best title for the book? Why or why not? Can you think of a better title? Why would you choose it?

2. How important is a title in influencing you to consider reading a book? Explain your answer.

3. Do you think a title needs to have direct relevance to a book's content? Explain your answer.

4. Have you ever read a book that when you finished, you do not understand the relevance of the title? Does it discourage you from "trusting" that particular author again?

(see the answer keys)

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