Hitty is a doll of great charm and character. It is indeed a privilege to publish...
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Our Original Resources 2Created by TeachingBooks Created by TeachingBooks About the Authors 2Rachel Field page on TeachingBooksView the PageDorothy P. Lathrop page on TeachingBooksView the PageBook Guides, Activities & Lessons 1Created by TeachingBooks Awards & Distinctions 1Winner, 1930 Images courtesy of publishers, organizations, and sometimes their Twitter handles. Usually dispatched within 6 to 7 days. [{"displayPrice":"$20.44","priceAmount":20.44,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"20","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"44","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"PfWO0o8qKYIT%2Ftc0TPDBHwjByqfiZX0WWqeOcR2xKE%2Bzg1toxWsMmx5VahejgHJfzsn9nBLpxFgPR0CJ8n9fgxIHDXTPi1MndJgS5vD1hZOWfYD9%2BzmB7p7WdqfoIiGzHdlzj7C8cSJ1qYOrq8EwAhVuyT7Dc8HO2EGdlmVO7rc07z2UE5TjglZS%2BgZDGQD0","locale":"en-AU","buyingOptionType":"NEW"}] $$20.44 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details Initial payment breakdown Delivery cost, delivery date and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
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Feb 27, 2018 Hilary rated it it was amazing The narration of a doll gave this story an unusual viewpoint. Over a period of 100 years Hitty can hear all that goes on around her but cannot speak or influence her fate, but we know at some point she has been able to tell her story. Hitty begins life around a hundred
years ago. She has been carved from mountain ash by a peddlar. Hitty has many misfortunes and owners, it was fascinating to follow Hitty through decades, fashions, owners and values. We googled Hitty and found that this story was i Hitty begins life around a hundred years ago. She has been carved from mountain ash by a peddlar. Hitty has many misfortunes and owners, it was fascinating to follow Hitty through decades, fashions, owners and values. We googled Hitty and found that this story was inspired by a real doll that the author found in an antique shop, there are some photos and Hitty is in a museum now, if you have read this book I'm sure you will agree Hitty really deserves a peaceful
retirement after the life she has had! This really was a good 5 star read. We do hope Hitty's next 100 years are easier than the last!
This was charming, but slight. It's a children's book about a wooden doll and her adventures over a hundred years, including some time on a whaling ship, being worshipped as an idol in the South Seas, time
in India among missionaries (I did sort of wonder about the geography that got her from one to the other. Did people who were whalers in the Maine really go all the way to the Pacific to get whales?), time with a Quaker family, with a spoiled little girl, with an old lady or two, on a steamboa This was charming, but slight. It's a children's book about a wooden doll and her adventures over a hundred years, including some time on a whaling ship, being
worshipped as an idol in the South Seas, time in India among missionaries (I did sort of wonder about the geography that got her from one to the other. Did people who were whalers in the Maine really go all the way to the Pacific to get whales?), time with a Quaker family, with a spoiled little girl, with an old lady or two, on a steamboat on the Mississippi. Note: The rest of this review has been withdrawn due to the changes in Goodreads policy and enforcement. You can read why I came to this
decision here. In the meantime, you can read the entire review at Smorgasbook
While I have most certainly always found Rachel Field's 1929 Hitty, Her First Hundred Years generally descriptive and engaging enough to both appreciate and more than simply mildly enjoy (especially with regard to historicity and how the novel basically in many ways is such a mirror-image perfect portrait of the 19th and early 2oth century, as narrated by, as seen and viewed by a doll, by Hitty
herself), I have also and nevertheless generally always felt more than a bit personally uncomfortable While I have most certainly always found Rachel Field's 1929 Hitty, Her First Hundred Years generally descriptive and engaging enough to both appreciate and more than simply mildly enjoy (especially with regard to historicity and how the novel basically in many ways is such a mirror-image perfect portrait of the 19th and early 2oth century,
as narrated by, as seen and viewed by a doll, by Hitty herself), I have also and nevertheless generally always felt more than a bit personally uncomfortable with regard to certain parts of Hitty, Her First Hundred Years, in particular concerning gender stratification and how both visible and even not so visible minorities are generally approached and depicted by Hitty and by extension by author Rachel Field. However, considering that Hitty, her First Hundred years is of course
first and foremost a product of its time and its place, I certainly do value and respect the novel for what it is and what it represents and have therefore definitely enjoyed it considerably more and lastingly than Rosemary Wells' more recent and totally annoying (if not in fact historically inaccurate and inappropriate) adaptation, because her 1999 Rachel Field's Hitty: Her First Hundred Years just simply seems so utterly and totally unrealistic in set-up and content, while Hitty, Her
First Hundred Years at least reads and feels like potential and probable historical reality (and not some feel-good fairytale like fantasy of what modern readers might have wanted the past to be like, a past with no warts, with no bigotry, with no racial, no gender issues and problems, but really a past that never did actually even remotely manage to exist). But this all having been said (and this is the main reason why
Jan 10, 2009 Antof9 rated it really liked it Read as part of the
Read the Newberys" reading project. This is by far my favorite of the Newbery books read yet (we started at the oldest and are working our way to current time). In fact, it was fun and entertaining to read. It's Mehitabel's (Hitty's) memoirs, and is so fun to read. Hitty, of course, is a carved wooden doll, who chronicles her life through owner after owner after owner. Hitty's adventures in a
way reminded me of The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle, another Newbery book, but were fa Read as part of the Read the Newberys" reading project. This is by far my favorite of the Newbery books read yet (we started at the oldest and are working our way to current time). In fact, it was fun and entertaining to read. It's Mehitabel's (Hitty's)
memoirs, and is so fun to read. Hitty, of course, is a carved wooden doll, who chronicles her life through owner after owner after owner. Hitty's adventures in a way reminded me of The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle, another Newbery book, but were far superior and way more entertaining. Maybe because I'm a girl? I don't know, but I was as engrossed in the quaint and charming writing of this book as I used to be in any story of the "Littles" or "The Borrowers". Man, I loved those books. The
idea of a doll or a toy or some other inanimate object telling her adventures like this just made me so happy! I'm also entertained by the subtitle "Her First Hundred Years" -- as if her next hundred years will be published soon :) After many Newbery discussions about how disappointed we were in the quality of books and our assumed age of their readers, this is exactly what I'd been hoping for, and I can imagine lots of young people being engrossed in hearing Hitty's story.
I have been working on Hitty off and on for a few weeks now. It wasn't an easy read for me. I was really looking forward to it, thinking that after a decade of only men winning the Newbery, the first woman
winner was a big step for the award. Sadly, the same racism and class-ism that plagued a few of the winners from the 1920's is present in Hitty as well. Hitty has many adventures that take her around the world, and when she encounters natives of an eastern aisle, she calls them savages, which I Hitty has many adventures that take her around the world, and when she encounters natives of an eastern aisle, she calls them savages, which I guess is what most Americans at the time would have called them. She is a little condescending to the people of India, and at one point she is
relieved when she isn't taken home with an Irish family, who she describes as boisterous and dirty. The worst part for me, though, is when she is taken found by an African American family. The dialect switches from the perfect English that had been used the whole book by all of the white characters to "I is gwine to tell you one thing," and "Whiter now dan de dribben snow." I mean, it's ok to use dialect, but come on. Even your white sailors from earlier in the book used decent English. It's a
bit condescending of the author to just switch like that for one ethnic group. I understand that this book is from a different time, and that it probably wouldn't even be publishable now, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. I did see what the Newbery committee and the children of the late 20's and early 30's saw in Hitty, though. It's not really my type of book, but there were some charming moments, and the idea of following a doll's journey throughout a century is a nice one. I would
say that today's children would have trouble liking this book, but It's hard for me to argue that, because I actually had a rising third grader check it out last week, and love it. I guess there is a niche of kids who like this sort of thing. I wasn't one of them. I would have found it boring, and frankly, I still do.
Apr 01, 2018 Mimi rated it it was amazing According to the note inside, I received this for my fifth birthday from my maternal grandparents and I read and re-read this book throughout childhood. A recent encounter with DiCamillo's
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane reminded me that I needed to pick this up.
Jun 25, 2013 Tweety rated it it was amazing I can't believe I forgot this book! When I first read it I loved it so
much I copied the pictures on tracing paper so as to remember the story line. If I had this, it would be the "grab during fire" type of book. I think I can safely blame this book for my dislike of dolls now. Hitty was so real to me, I lived her adventures with her, and her fears. I can never forget the P engraved on the hearth, that is forever burned into my brain. Now, I go to the library every so often so as to look at it a I can't believe I forgot this book! When I first read it I loved it so much I copied the pictures on tracing paper so as to remember the story line. If I had this, it would be the "grab during fire" type of book.I think I can safely blame this book for my dislike of dolls now. Hitty was so real to me, I lived her adventures with her, and her fears. I can never forget the P engraved on the hearth, that is forever burned into my brain. Now, I go to the library every so often so as to look at it again. It is just as brilliant as it was the very first time. I don't want to ever forget this book again. ...more
She was shaped from a six-inch piece of mountain-ash, carried from Ireland in a peddler’s pack to ward of witches and other forms of evil. In Hitty: her first Hundred Years we travel though the titled century with that little
vagabond piece of feminine-shaped ash as she is flung over a good portion of the world. From her respectable beginnings within a puritanical home she moves into situations that would scandalize most proper folk. Among her many incarnations Hitty can résumé graven-idol, snak She was shaped from a six-inch piece of mountain-ash, carried from Ireland in a peddler’s pack to ward of witches and other forms of evil. In Hitty: her first Hundred Years we
travel though the titled century with that little vagabond piece of feminine-shaped ash as she is flung over a good portion of the world. From her respectable beginnings within a puritanical home she moves into situations that would scandalize most proper folk. Among her many incarnations Hitty can résumé graven-idol, snake-charmer, whaler, fashionista, artist’s muse, effigy, and pincushion. Not to mention that half the world scrutinized her underwear. Hitty’s author, Rachel Field, employs
the clever device of Hitty’s memoirs to expose the reader to a wide swash of U.S. and world history. I’m sure the historical sweep was secondary to the creation of the rollicking adventure story. Hitty keeps us in touch with the timeline mainly through her wardrobe changes, along with at least one major historical event, the Civil War. Field also slips in a couple of notable writers: Charles Dickens and John Greenleaf Whittier, to anchor the date. Using an inanimate being, with no control
over her world, can be limiting in a protagonist. Narration was heavier during Hitty’s era than is considered respectable in today’s fiction. Having a protagonist limited in conversational skills seems to have necessitated that the narrator tell the reader everything she should be thinking about the goings-on in the story. Although Hitty’s conversation is limited, she does have a distinct voice. I would label it ironic-prude. She is often quite funny when commiserating over her fading
beauty. “It is a hard world for those of us who are not able to keep our complexions.” (Pg. 107) She was scandalized by the changing fashions of the early 20th century. “. . .the sight of children with bare legs and arms and brief dresses, and ladies with hair and skirts almost as short.” (pg. 197) Among the vast array of characters that traipsed through Hitty’s life some were more vibrant than others. Oddly the adult characters were better developed than many of the children. It was
common for Hitty to tell us the disposition of her new companion rather than show us. As was the sad norm of the time, Hitty does not fare well in the arena of political correctness. There was the assumption in India that the “little brown people” were waiting to be saved from their heathen ways. The “savages” who took Hitty as their god did not develop beyond the first dimension. Even in Field’s treatment of African-Americans, in which I truly believe she strived to be liberal and
open-minded, there was still an implied assumption that she was describing a lesser bit of humanity. The collective “they” was used to group the former slaves on the plantation. She was sure to show that they were now happy and content to be working for wages. She described the plantation Colonel and his daughter’s magnanimous generosity in doling out Christmas presents from the big house. Of course Hitty was also much consoled when she passed from the black hands of little Car’line into the
“quality” hands of Miss Hope. I’m a little uncomfortable dishing out to harsh of a judgment in hindsight, as I wonder with what blinders I’m viewing today’s world. Although there are a few weaknesses when held to today’s standards, I would say that Hitty holds up as an enjoyable story with an engaging, if a bit puffed-up, little heroine. The scope of the story is to be admired and enjoyed.
If you've wondered why racism persists in our country (I have), take a look at some (several) of the Newbery winners and you will see the ways in which white superiority were embedded in our
culture. These books were heralded as not only appropriate for children, but were the "best of the best." In "Hitty," there are disparaging remarks against American Indians, Islanders, Indians, Irish immigrants, and African Americans. Oftentimes, I'll read in reviews of Newbery winners that it's unfair to ho Oftentimes, I'll read in reviews of Newbery winners that it's unfair to hold books from the early 20th century to the standards we would hold them to today. I've thought a lot about that. I think there's a
distinction between politically incorrect language and white imperialism. I can absolutely forgive politically incorrect language. Hugh Lofting's family approved the updating of some of the language in "The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle," stating that they felt it was in keeping with the way Lofting felt about his fellow human beings, and would have never wanted to offend anyone with his language. "Hitty," (and others), though, have a permeating view that anyone who is not white is less than. And
there just is no escaping it. Some might call it ignorance of the time, but I might argue that it was willful ignorance. The most fascinating part of the book, was the time in which Hitty belonged to a Quaker family. I loved the depiction of the Quaker family. It described how the family was different from the other families Hitty belonged to in respectful, even reverent tones (unlike the poor Irish family or African-American family she spent time with). It also didn't idealize the
Quakers, depicting them as rounded, flawed characters. But it did make a point to explain how the Quakers believed that all human beings deserved the same amount of respect, and although they were opposed to violence, supported President Lincoln's decision to go to war with the South over the issue of slavery. Hitty, the doll in the story, admires this belief. And yet, she doesn't display the same amount of respect to all human beings that the Quaker family espouses. The thing is, I didn't
hate this book. The premise of the life of a doll who goes on many adventures (lives on a whaling ship, is stranded on a desert island, travels India, sees the evolution of transportation technology from carriages to steam ships to trains to automobiles to airplanes) is really very clever. The little girls and women that Hitty belongs to along the way are all well-rounded, fascinating female characters. And Rachel Field was the first woman to be awarded the Newbery. Reading all the Newbery
Award winners is a challenge. It's challenging to look at American history and it's challenging to examine the dynamic of race relations today. But it must continue to be a part of the conversation. I enjoyed reading about Hitty's adventures, I was deeply troubled by the ideals it perpetuated, and I'm glad to have the opportunity to take a glance through Hitty's one hundred years. History is important, even when it's painful.
Feb 14, 2011 Jill rated it did not like it How did this get such a high average rating? It's the 1930 Newbery winner and I struggled to get through it. I'm scratching my head wondering why this ever won. It would have been better as a 10 page picture book. 230+ pages of the same boring descriptions of mundane details.
There were potentially exciting moments like the shipwreck or the auction near the end, and even in those moments I felt like I was trudging through thick mud just trying to make it through! Usually at the halfway mark thin How did this get such a high average rating? It's the 1930 Newbery winner and I struggled to get through it. I'm scratching my head wondering why this ever won. It would have been better as a 10 page picture book. 230+ pages of
the same boring descriptions of mundane details. There were potentially exciting moments like the shipwreck or the auction near the end, and even in those moments I felt like I was trudging through thick mud just trying to make it through! Usually at the halfway mark things start to pick up, right? not in this book. I just can't imagine a young adult reading this cover to cover. And if they did they'd probably think it was pretty much a waste of time. It's books like this that further the
mistaken notion that all stories from this period are boring. Not true! I'll let the author's words speak for themselves: "And so we return to New york and the Antique Shop on Eighth Street again, and I will bring my Memoirs to a close. High time I did, too, for patience and paper are giving out." No kidding.
Originally published in 1929, and chosen as the Newbery Medal Winner in 1930, Rachel Field's Hitty, Her First Hundred Years is the charming autobiography of an American doll, and her many adventures, over the
course of a century. Created from mountain-ash - a wood said to bring good luck, and ward off evil - by a wandering peddler, and given to young Phoebe Preble, Hitty's life began in the state of Maine (although her wood came, like her peddler creator, from Ireland), but soon took her to all Originally published in 1929, and chosen as the Newbery Medal Winner in 1930, Rachel Field's Hitty, Her First Hundred Years is the charming autobiography of
an American doll, and her many adventures, over the course of a century. Created from mountain-ash - a wood said to bring good luck, and ward off evil - by a wandering peddler, and given to young Phoebe Preble, Hitty's life began in the state of Maine (although her wood came, like her peddler creator, from Ireland), but soon took her to all parts of the globe. Sailing out of Boston with the Prebles, on a whaling voyage, going overboard in a shipwreck, washing up on a South Seas island where she
was worshiped as an idol, becoming lost in India, being found by missionaries, being stolen from a Cotton Exhibition in New Orleans, and finally, being auctioned as an antique, Hitty's first hundred years was full indeed, of colorful incidents, and multiple owners. What was constant throughout, was her keen interest in, and observation of, the world around her, and her philosophical approach to the ups and downs of a doll's life. Well-written and immensely engaging, this is a book I would like
to be able to recommend wholeheartedly. There is much of value here: the many period details, which Field always seems to get just right; the snap-shot view of American history, as seen from a unique perspective; and an utterly enchanting heroine, who manages to be believable, both as doll and as narrator. Unfortunately, there are also some dated elements, particularly in the depiction of non-European peoples: the "frightening" Indians of Maine, the "heathen" South Sea Islanders, the "dirty"
Indian snake-charmer, the "happy" African-American plantation workers. What's interesting, in all of this - something raised in The Newbery Book-Club to which I belong, is the fact that Hitty herself often takes a more liberal, tolerant view of these different human groups, as compared to her various European or Euro-American owners. I think there's definitely something to this idea (hence the fact that this got knocked down from four to three stars, rather than from four to two),
but even Hitty's perspective sometimes still felt a little condescending to me. Still, given the unique quality of the narrative, I can certainly understand why long-time fans of the book were outraged at the recent Rosemary Wells rewrite. I think that, in the end, the good qualities of this title are sufficient to retain it as a reading selection for young people, with the caveat that responsible adults should be sure to engage them in a discussion of some of the socially anachronistic
content.
Jul 11, 2013 Ally Copper rated it really liked it "Hitty, Her First Hundred Years" by Rachel Field
is the memoir of a small doll who was carved out of a piece of mountain-ash wood approximately one century before she began writing her memoir. When she begins writing her memoir she is in an antique shop, but her memoirs reveal she has been around the world and held by countless individuals from numerous countries. She began her life in Maine with her first owner, Phoebe Preble. She went on a sea adventure with the Preble family, survived a sinki
"Hitty, Her First Hundred Years" by Rachel Field is the memoir of a small doll who was carved out of a piece of mountain-ash wood approximately one century before she began writing her memoir. When she begins writing her memoir she is in an antique shop, but her memoirs reveal she has been around the world and held by countless individuals from numerous countries. She began her life in Maine with her first owner, Phoebe Preble. She went on a sea adventure
with the Preble family, survived a sinking ship, was worshiped by natives on an unnamed island, traveled India with a snake charmer, came back to America with a missionary's daughter, endured more than a decade stuffed in a couch in an attic, and later spent several years with mice in a hay loft. She saw America move into a modern era, survived the Civil War, was held by Charles Dickens, and had both her daguerreotype taken and her portrait painted. Hitty charmed and impressed children and
adults who beheld her. Her first 100 years make for a sweeping, epic tale that readers young and old will remember and replay in their minds long after finishing this novel. As this book was first published in 1929, it will not readily appeal to a large number of modern readers. The main character of the novel is a doll, a character more likely to appeal to younger readers, but the book is long, complicated, and somewhat dense, making it more appropriate for older readers (5th through 8th
grade). I would suggest two ideal uses for this particular Newbery Medal winner. (1) This book would be good for parents or teachers to read aloud to younger children (1st through 3rd grade) in small portions. (2) This book also would appeal to older, advanced readers, especially girls who enjoy unique stories or historical fiction. As the book itself is drawing near its 100th birthday, there are certain portions that may be considered politically incorrect for modern readers. Hitty
regards the "natives" in the story with disdain and often refers to the "brown people" she sees in and around India. Hitty tends to favor white Americans as her preferred caretakers. This aspect of the book is not blatant or overly cruel to those from other cultures, but it is something parents, teachers, and librarians should be aware of. It might be grounds for interesting conversations with readers who decide to tackle this book. Overall, "Hitty" is a fascinating tome, unlike many books
readers will encounter. Those who crack open this book will be glad to travel through time and around the world with Hitty.
Jun 20, 2008 Wendy rated it really liked it Another one you all seem to have read and loved that I never picked up before. I expected it to be cheesy, but it was highly readable, suspenseful, and very funny. I read it almost without stopping,
though the first half was superior to the second. ETA: I see that an edition with "updated text" has been released, presumably to remove racial stereotypes. I wonder how far they went? The stuff with the former slaves would be fairly easy to adjust, but what about the natives in the South Seas? ETA: I see that an edition with "updated text" has been released, presumably to remove racial stereotypes. I wonder how far they went? The stuff with the former slaves would be fairly easy to adjust, but what about the natives in the South Seas?
Jul 21, 2012 Stephanie A. rated it really liked it Wonderful. You know why I can't give up my toys? Whenever I consider it, I imagine many of them have secret life stories like this doll. Beautiful classic that I wish had been brought to my attention before I randomly found it on the shelves of my college library. Wonderful. You know why I can't give up my toys? Whenever I consider it, I imagine many of them have secret life stories like this doll. Beautiful classic that I wish had been brought to my attention before I randomly found it on the shelves of my college library. ...more
Jul 10, 2014 Sara rated it liked it Read this as a child. I remember the title more than the book - I really liked the title.
Mar 19, 2021 Michelle rated it it was ok 2.5: The concept of this book was fun, but done much better in Edward Tulane.
Hitty, the title character of this 1930 Newbery Medal
winning novel, is a doll made of mountain-ash wood who lives in the present day (1929) in a Maine antique shop. Because she has access to pen and paper, Hitty has decided to write her memoirs, which trace the first one hundred years of her life story. Hitty starts out living with a young girl named Phoebe Preble and survives several harrowing adventures under her care, before being lost and bouncing from owner to owner down through the decade Hitty,
the title character of this 1930 Newbery Medal winning novel, is a doll made of mountain-ash wood who lives in the present day (1929) in a Maine antique shop. Because she has access to pen and paper, Hitty has decided to write her memoirs, which trace the first one hundred years of her life story. Hitty starts out living with a young girl named Phoebe Preble and survives several harrowing adventures under her care, before being lost and bouncing from owner to owner down through the decades. As
Hitty moves around from place to place, she witnesses changes in technology and transportation, clothing and customs, resulting in a unique perspective on history. I had planned to read this book on my own, but then took a chance that my five-year-old daughter might enjoy it and read it aloud to her instead. Though some things undoubtedly went over her head, it wound up being a good idea to share the book with her, as she became immediately invested in Hitty's adventures, and as a result,
received some great insights into life during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She is also young enough that some of the predictable and coincidental elements of the plot that drove me crazy with their unlikelihood were genuine surprises for her. The writing in the novel is strong, and distinctive, and for the most part I thought it was a worthwhile story. I was a little surprised to come across the phrase "making love" during a scene late in the book, even though it only referred
to kissing, and though I didn't censor that line (I make it a point to always read an author's words as written), I did quickly gloss over it so I didn't have to explain it. My daughter didn't seem to notice and has yet to ask me, so it wasn't a big deal for us, but I think it would have been helpful to know that was coming. There are also some sections of the book that contemporary values would deem inappropriate with regards to racial stereotypes. I don't condemn books for being products of
their time, and I mostly just made a few editorial comments to explain how times have changed and kept moving through the story. Hitty is a real doll, and there is a lot of information on this website to enrich the reading experience after finishing the book, including photos. My daughter didn't seem that impressed, as I think the Hitty of her imagination looms larger than any doll of the
real world ever could, but I found it interesting to learn some of the real-life influences that contributed to Field's writing of the book. What does not enrich the reading experience quite as much (or at all) is Rosemary Wells's retelling of this book, published as Rachel Field's
Hitty: Her First Hundred Years in 1999. Though Wells claims in her "Note to the Reader" to have loved this book as a child, she also expresses concern about how infrequently it is read, and seems to believe that the way to reach a wider audience is to rewrite the book, editing out much of the original plot and adding in a whole new storyline of her own. She likens this process to "weeding a beautiful garden" but from what I can tell in my copy of this book (purchased before we knew better),
it looks like she mostly just trampled the life out of it. Reader, beware. This review also appears on my blog, Read-at-Home Mom.
Well, this was a complicated one. Of course, I must make the now-obligatory announcement that this book is racist and
imperialist. Not as bad as some, but worse than others. In one sentence, this book is a somewhat slow, meandering adventure story, the protagonist of which is a wooden doll. "Hitty" is the hapless and (literally) helpless victim of all sorts of shenanigans: she is stolen by crows and taken to their nest; she lives aboard a whaling ship and falls overboard; she is worshiped as an Well, this was a complicated one. Of course, I must make the
now-obligatory announcement that this book is racist and imperialist. Not as bad as some, but worse than others. In one sentence, this book is a somewhat slow, meandering adventure story, the protagonist of which is a wooden doll. "Hitty" is the hapless and (literally) helpless victim of all sorts of shenanigans: she is stolen by crows and taken to their nest; she lives aboard a whaling ship and falls overboard; she is worshiped as an idol by a tribe of vague "savages"; she visits India, New
York, New Orleans, and everywhere in between. I found this book fascinating in terms of gender. There are very few true adventure stories from this period with female protagonists or written ostensibly for girls, and it is interesting that this anomalous example must center around the character of a doll; girl children certainly would never get themselves into these kinds of scrapes. But also the fact that this female-ish protagonist is completely without autonomy; Hitty cannot speak,
move, or act on her world in any way. Life--and plot--merely happens to her. I'm not going to attempt an in-depth critique of what this assumes about women or girls within this story; perhaps that is the project of a thorough essay at some point. Overall, I found the conceit of doll narrator and the adventures presented here fairly charming. Many of the human characters are engaging as well, and I find it remarkable that Hitty could pass through so many little girls' and women's
hands and each of them have a distinct personality and fairly complex persona. As far as style goes in the writing, it leaves something to be desired. Each adventure follows a fairly formulaic narrative arc, and there is an overall lack of sentence structure variation and too little subtlety in describing emotional states. But, that said, I enjoyed reading this book, and would love to see Hitty's second hundred years written about.
Oct 17, 2020 Katja Labonté rated it really liked it 4 stars & 4/10 hearts. The premise
of this story is really adorable. I mean, a hundred-year-old doll telling her adventures?? Super cute. Whitter's poem to her, and finding out she was inspired by a real cool Field own, made her seem even more real! And the ending was perfect. I liked the story itself well enough. There was an overall negative attitude towards God/religion that I disliked, and a few minor quibbles like a little girl wearing pants and men going around shirtless. But overall it wa
4 stars & 4/10 hearts. The premise of this story is really adorable. I mean, a hundred-year-old doll telling her adventures?? Super cute. Whitter's poem to her, and finding out she was inspired by a real cool Field own, made her seem even more real! And the ending was perfect. I liked the story itself well enough. There was an overall negative attitude towards God/religion that I disliked, and a few minor quibbles like a little girl wearing pants and
men going around shirtless. But overall it was good. Many times I was left breathlessly wondering how on EARTH Hitty would get away this time! I loved the two little old sisters (THE WEDDING DRESS' FATE BROKE MY HEART WHYYYYY DID SALLY HAVE TO BE SO BAD) and the former mistress who gave her childhood doll away to the little former slave girl. <33 The artist was really humorous and nice, too. I think this would be a fun family read-aloud, and maybe children younger than I would enjoy it more,
being less distracted by certain elements. A Favourite Quote: "While Beauty and Pleasure and Passion hold sway,
May 14, 2009 Melanie rated it it was amazing I read this book practically in one sitting. It was a fast paced
highly readable tale about a wooden carved doll who goes through many adventures and countries. She was carved from lucky mountain ash by a pedlar shown kindness by a Maine family in the late 1700s-early 1800s. The story tells of her writing her tale down while being a cherished favourite in an antique shop many years later. I came away feeling so grateful that she had managed to keep her name thanks to her embroidered chemise, and I came away feeling so grateful that she had managed to keep her name thanks to her embroidered chemise, and
wished that all older dolls were as fortunate. I also liked the idea of a doll being less aware when they are packed away between owners. Yes that is really the depths to which this little Hitty doll comes across as human and sympathetic as well as morally upright. This is a seriously good adventurious read even if you are an adult. It is so lovely to read something that doesn't need swear words, graphic scenes or evil badies. Pure pleasure from start to finish.
Jan 28, 2016 Kristen rated it liked it Newbery Medal Winner--1930 This is the first Newbery winner of the 30's and
the first written by a woman--and for the most part, was pretty enjoyable. These older Newbery winners are a little harder to get through because of language and out-of-date thinking, but this one follows Hitty, a wooden doll, and the adventures she has throughout her first 100 years. These adventures include going on a whaling ship, becoming an idol for an group of island natives, working for a snake charmer in India, an This is the first Newbery winner of the 30's and the first written by a woman--and for the most part, was pretty enjoyable. These older Newbery winners are a little harder to get through because of language and out-of-date thinking, but this one follows Hitty, a wooden doll, and the adventures she has throughout her first 100 years. These adventures include going on a whaling ship, becoming an idol for an group of island natives, working for a snake charmer in India, and living in
a haystack with mice...among many others. I could see children enjoying a story like this, and it has the sort of spirit our modern Toy Story movies have.
Read the full review here: http://newberyandbeyond.com/newbery-r... This story about a
beloved doll and her adventures was surprisingly interesting. Hitty is taken on trips, passed from girl to girl, and even lost during her first hundred years. I do remember that, reading this as a young teenager, I was a bit overwhelmed by the length of the book and the old-fashioned writing style, so for a younger kid, it might work better as a story you read to them, bit by bit. But don’t pass this book by si This story about a beloved doll and her adventures was surprisingly interesting. Hitty is taken on trips, passed from girl to girl, and even lost during her first hundred years. I do remember that, reading this as a young teenager, I was a bit overwhelmed by the length of the book and the old-fashioned writing style, so for a younger kid, it might work
better as a story you read to them, bit by bit. But don’t pass this book by simply because the main character is a doll. Hitty and her many owners over the years are sweet, fun characters to spend time with.
Feb 23, 2018 Jane rated it really liked it As a confirmed doll hater in my youth, I never read Hitty - until now. Rachel Field is such a delightful writer, and Dorothy Lathrop, who did the illustrations, draws the most soulful monkeys I know, so I dove in. And what an adventure the history of this doll proves to be! Frontier life, a whaling ship, an Indian snake charmer, missionaries, Philadelphia Quakers, a New Orleans cotton exposition - this is a doll who got around! Alas, the book is not something you could promote today, because Fie As a confirmed doll hater in my youth, I never read Hitty - until now. Rachel Field is such a delightful writer, and Dorothy Lathrop, who did the illustrations, draws the most soulful monkeys I know, so I dove in. And what an adventure the history of this doll proves to be! Frontier life, a whaling ship, an Indian snake charmer, missionaries, Philadelphia Quakers, a New Orleans cotton exposition - this is a doll who got around! Alas, the book is not something you could promote today, because Field describes Indians, African Americans and Pacific Islanders as "brown people" and worse. ...more
I'm sure I read this when I was much younger, but I guess I remembered it as fusty and uninteresting. As an adult, the character of Hitty is quite enjoyable, as the author plays with giving her a human personality with a few surprises for the reader in terms of abilities, but ultimately limiting her, physically and believably, as a doll. The illustrations by Dorothy Lathrop are beautifully done. I'm sure I read this when I was much younger, but I guess I remembered it as fusty and uninteresting. As an adult, the character of Hitty is quite enjoyable, as the author plays with giving her a human personality with a few surprises for the reader in terms of abilities, but ultimately limiting her, physically and believably, as a doll. The illustrations by Dorothy Lathrop are beautifully done. ...more
This an interesting enough read, as Hitty keeps having decent ventures during her these hundred years. But… this doll is kind of a brat. She whines and complains pretty consistently. After a few hundred pages I really wasn’t pulling for her. By far I thought the most likable character was Hitty's first owner (Phoebe) and I would have preferred the story stay on Phoebe's side when they parted. While it's an okay tale, by the end of the book I just didn’t care all that much. This an interesting enough read, as Hitty keeps having decent ventures during her these hundred years. But… this doll is kind of a brat. She whines and complains pretty consistently. After a few hundred pages I really wasn’t pulling for her. By far I thought the most likable character was Hitty's first owner (Phoebe) and I would have preferred the story stay on Phoebe's side when they parted. While it's an okay tale, by the end of the book I just didn’t care all that much. ...more
I liked this better as a child than I do now. Maybe it was a novel idea when I first read Hitty's story, but now I routinely wonder about the "past lives" of many of the old things I enjoy. I have four nieces, but this isn't a style or subject that would interest any of them. (Regrettably, none of them have an interest in old dolls either.) I liked this better as a child than I do now. Maybe it was a novel idea when I first read Hitty's story, but now I routinely wonder about the "past lives" of many of the old things I enjoy. I have four nieces, but this isn't a style or subject that would interest any of them. (Regrettably, none of them have an interest in old dolls either.) ...more
Oct 09, 2010 Melody rated it really liked it Lovely, lovely book. A favorite from my childhood that has worn exceedingly well. Hitty is a doll carved from mountain ash who has the most exciting adventures. Do not read the new bastardized revision that has nothing to do with the original. Accept no substitutes!
Apr 19, 2012 Jessica rated it really liked it I read this book so many times as a kid! The adventures of the little wooden doll were fascinating!
Hitty, Her First Hundred Years was
an ambitious book in scope and story. Think of Toy Story, only before its time. Rachel Field tells the story of a mountain-ash wood doll that changes hands several times over the course of a hundred years. She begins her life with Phoebe Preble who accidentally leaves her behind in Church (where she wasn't supposed to bring her) and leaves her in the field while picking raspberries where Hitty is collected by a crow and brought to its nest. She's rescued out of Rachel Field tells the story of a mountain-ash wood doll that changes hands several times over the course of a hundred years. She begins her life with Phoebe Preble who accidentally leaves her behind in Church (where she wasn't supposed to bring her) and leaves her in the field while picking raspberries where Hitty is collected by a crow
and brought to its nest. She's rescued out of the tree by Phoebe's father and shortly after, travels by sea on a whale hunting expedition with Phoebe and her family. Things go terribly wrong at sea for the Preble bunch. After successfully hunting a whale, the ship starts on fire and needs to be abandoned. Hitty goes down with the ship and washes ashore in an island rock pool. As luck would have it, Phoebe's family ends up at the same island and recovers Hitty temporarily. Their stay on the
island is cut short when a group of Natives steal Hitty because they believe she is an idol god, forcing the Preble's to steal Hitty back and hit the sea once again. They are rescued at sea by another ship heading for India and it is in India where Phoebe Preble loses Hitty for good as she slips from her hand while asleep on her brother's shoulder. Hitty is found by a snake charmer and then purchased by an American family as a birthday present for their daughter, Thankful. Hitty feels safe
living with Little Thankful and her family and when the girl falls ill the family decides to send her back to America, to live with her grandfather. Girls in Philadelphia make fun of Hitty's ragged appearance though, which embarrasses Thankful so she stuffs Hitty in between the cushions of a sofa before it is hauled up to an attic for storage. Years later, Hitty is found in the attic by kids playing and is claimed by a girl named Clarissa who treats her well. When the Civil War begins though,
Hitty is forgotten by Clarissa and her family and packed into a box of moth balls and sent to New York City to cousins. Hitty's next owner once drops her at the feet of Charles Dickens himself, who picks her up and returns her, but then her new owner takes her out on New Years Eve and gets attacked by a group of boys who steal Hitty. Next, Hitty is lost in a hayloft. After a few years, she is pitched out of the loft and becomes the obsession of a photographer. A thief steals her and
tosses her into a river where she is found by some plantation workers who try and return her to the photographer but can't so she instead is turned into a pin cushion for an older lady (because they are all the rage.) From there she falls into the hands of a doll collector who loses her in the woods where she eventually is found and PLOT TWIST, winds up in the hands of a woman who lives at the former Preble house! Full circle. As the book closes, Hitty is writing this book in an antique
shop as her memoir, which is strange considering she has not once been able to use her hands at all during the story. They surely would have been useful in escaping from a couch cushion or climbing out of a hayloft. Hitty, Her First Hundred Years is certainly more accessible than Newbery Medal winners that have come before it but that isn't saying much. Its 230 pages felt like 460 pages. It is not exactly politically correct by 2019 standards but I suppose by 1930 standards Field did
okay. I guess one thing that bothered me was the way Hitty narrates this with little to no empathy for her former owners. Many of them she loves while they have her but then hardly a word is said about them once they are gone. And many of them lose Hitty in traumatic ways. One can only imagine poor Phoebe waking up on her brother's shoulder knowing that Hitty is lost somewhere on the streets in India, or Isabella giving the policeman her statement knowing that Hitty was stolen by filthy boys,
never to be seen again. Hitty, could care less though. She's emotionless as she moves on from one event to another unsympathetically, which makes for a very detailed (and maybe realistic) read but not a very personal one. I didn't really care where Hitty ended up next because I didn't get the sense that she did either. Rachel Lyman Field was an American novelist, poet, and author of children's fiction. She is best known for her Newbery Medal–winning novel for young adults, Hitty, Her
First Hundred Years, published in 1929. As a child Field contributed to the St. Nicholas Magazine and was educated at Radcliffe College. Her book, Prayer for a Child, was a recipient of the Caldecott Medal for its illustrations by El As a child Field contributed to the St. Nicholas Magazine and was educated at Radcliffe College. Her book, Prayer for a Child, was a recipient of the Caldecott Medal for its illustrations by Elizabeth Orton Jones. According to Ruth Hill Vigeurs in her introduction to Rachel Field's children's book Calico Bush published in 1931, Rachel Field was "fifteen when she first visited Maine and fell under the spell of its 'island-scattered coast'. Calico Bush
still stands out as a near-perfect re-creation of people and place in a story of courage, understated and beautiful." Field was also a successful author of adult fiction, writing the bestsellers Time Out of Mind (1935), All This and Heaven Too (1938), and And Now Tomorrow (1942). She is also famous for her poem-turned-song "Something Told the Wild Geese". Field also wrote the English lyrics for the version of Franz Schubert's Ave Maria used in the Disney film
Fantasia. Field married Arthur S. Pederson in 1935, with whom she collaborated in 1937 on To See Ourselves. Field was a descendant of David Dudley Field. She died at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles, California on March 15, 1942 of pneumonia following an operation. Related ArticlesCross-genre explorers, history nerds, and recovering English majors will want to spend some time with this specially curated collection... Welcome back. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. |
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