View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is Perilee Johnson Mueller?

2. What does Hattie see when she goes to check on the children?

3. What month is coming up shortly?

4. What is the date at the opening of the novel?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Who helps Hattie in the field the next day and how does he respond to her thanks?

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

3. What does the letter from Hattie's uncle Chester say?

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

5. What happens when Hattie is sixteen that jeopardizes her finishing school?

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

7. How does Hattie find a small source of income for herself?

8. How does Hattie make use of her petticoat that her aunt Ivy always insisted upon her wearing?

9. How does Violet lose part of her tail?

10. What does Hattie write to Uncle Holt and Charlie and who mails them for her?

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

"Hattie Big Sky" belongs to the teen historical fiction genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the fictional memoir genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a teen historical fiction and teen fiction?

Essay Topic 3

Many novels, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not? Do you think "Hattie Big Sky" ends on a happy note? Why or why not.

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of "Hattie Big Sky" and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why this story is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,148 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample