Clara Gillow Clark

The continuing adventures of Hattie Belle Basket, the "hill hawk" sent by her father to live with her wealthy grandmother. When hard times descend on Grandmother Greymoor, Hattie loses her private tutor and must try to make friends at "common" school. She has a little trouble with the truth, and wrestles with some moral dilemmas as only a 12-year-old can. It all works out in the end, a little too neatly, but that could have been improved upon simply by introducing a particular character to us earlier in the story. Hill Hawk Hattie and Hattie on Her Way were better stories than this. If you have 10-13 year old readers in your house, check those out.
Review written in 2009… (mere)

Hattie’s mom has died, leaving Hattie alone with her gruff, grieving father. After Hattie chops off her braids in a fit of rage, Hattie’s Pa buys her some boy clothes, introduces her as Harley, and trains her to help him as a river man. While she misses her Ma, Hattie begins to find some joy in her strange new life as a river rafting”boy.” When she and her Pa take a dangerous journey down river, Hattie begins to realize that there’s more behind her Pa’s silence than she first thought. Hattie is a strong heroine who will appeal to middle grade girls who love Laura Ingalls and are ready for a more challenging character.… (mere)