Hattie Ever After

Hattie Ever After

YA historical fiction
Lean in? Lean out? These days even with numerous highly
educated folks opining on the issue we still haven't decided
conclusively whether a woman can have it all. Imagine how much more
challenging this kind of choice would have been in 1919 when women
didn't even have the vote. That's the dilemma faced by Hattie,
protagonist of Kirby Lawson's Hattie Ever After.
Hattie is at a crucial turning point in her young life. She's
worked as a boardinghouse chambermaid long enough to pay off her dead
uncle's debt. A dear friend wants her to join her and her young
family in Seattle. It's the city that devoted friend Charlie, home
from World War I and eager to marry the girl of his dreams, calls
home. He has a good job and every intention of supporting her
generously.
But is this enough? Hattie has had a taste of newspaper writing
and found her passion. She wants to at least try to be a reporter
like Nellie Bly. An unexpected job offer with a travelling vaudeville
group gives her a chance to go to San Francisco where not only can she
try to make it in journalism, but she may be able to learn more about
her mysterious uncle, following the clue of a letter with a love token.
If she moves to Seattle and marries Charlie she may end up
wondering if she could have succeeding in pursuing her dream. But if
she sets out on a career venture she may lose the chance to make a
life with the one she loves most. What's a young woman to do?
Read the book and see. If you like the combination of a
believable protagonist worth caring about, a page turner of a plot,
and a fascinating setting, especially if you're a historical fiction
fan, we've got a winner!
On a personal note, Hattie is a protagonist I can identify with. When
the journalism bug gets you, there is no cure. I just had an op ed
piece published in the Bangor Daily News yesterday. There are very
few experiences, in my mind, as rewarding as having my words in print
and seeing the effect they have on other's people's lives.
A great big shout out goes out to those of my fellow journalists who
write with passion and integrity and the editors who serve as
midwives. :)


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