Becoming Hattie Mae: A Hardscrabble Life in an Appalachian Holler

by Carol Guthrie Heilman

“In lilting Kentucky-speak, Carol Heilman captures her readers with the riveting story of a coal-miner’s daughter, Hattie Mae, and her struggle to break free from a life in which she feels trapped.” –Leanna Sain, Award-Winning Southern Suspense Author

Summertime 1929. Hattie Mae Sizemore lives with her family in a Kentucky holler. Her father is a coal miner and a moonshiner. Determined to shield his oldest from the influence of outsiders, he declares Hattie won’t return to school. She is distraught, not even having a single book of her own.

When she accompanies her Granny Guthrie to a charity sale, a gypsy peddler passes through their camp. He stirs a restless feeling inside Hattie to see people and places she has only imagined. At the sale, she discovers a small book and carries it home.

One evening, Hattie’s father returns from hunting. She tries to hide her book, but he grabs it. Stories and poems fly through the woods. Heartbroken, she vows to escape her father’s oppression. Then Granny Guthrie dies and Hattie loses the one person who always stood up for her.

Will Hattie find a way to leave the only home she has ever known and make a life of her own?

Genres: Fiction

318 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 30, 2025

About the author

Carol Heilman, a coal-miner's daughter, married a farmer's son, her high school sweetheart, over fifty years ago. She and her husband live in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Their children and grandchildren live near the east and west coasts where they often visit. Carol enjoys traveling, reading, writing, hiking, and cooking for friends. She is a recipient of two Carrie McCray Awards for writing excellence. To find out more about Carol, visit: carolheilman.com.

Reviews

[Denise Troutman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three Reasons

My own mother was raised in Southeastern Ohio, just hours away from this Eastern Kentucky area. I befriended an older lady about 13 years ago who was raised in house in Eastern Kentucky where they could feed the chickens under the house through the cracks between the wood in the floor. Her Father raised corn, had a still and ran moonshine. Several years after we became friends I was privileged to go with a Senior Citizen group to tour that part of the country. We visited the birthplace of the Cole Minor’s Daughter, Loretta Lynn. We saw stills and learned about the history of running moonshine in that area and the difficult lives of the coal minors. This was a history filled novel of the hard life they lived. It is well written, and can’t help but make you appreciate what we have in our lives today. Well worth reading!

[Vicki L. Bernie · Rating 5 out of 5]

you
☆☆☆☆☆
☆☆☆☆☆
5 out of 5 stars.
· a few seconds ago
A riveting tale of incredible bravery and strength

Life in Appalachia has been tackled by many authors, but never quite so searingly beautiful as what author Carol Heilman, the daughter of a coal-miner, has done in "Becoming Hattie Mae: A Hardscrabble Life in an Appalachian Holler." Hattie Mae, in her coming of age story, is so exquisitely portrayed-her sensitivity, courage and valor pitted against the hauntingly beautiful but often brutal backdrop of an Appalachian holler. Heilman does this in bona fide "Kentucky speak"-so authentic that the reader knows that what lies in Hattie Mae's heart is probably not much more than a stone's throw from her own.

[Crystal Awadalla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walk barefoot with Hattie Mae through the hollers and hills of Appalachia. The never-ending cycle of poverty perpetuated by big Coal Mining is examined through the eyes of Hattie Mae, a young girl itching to leave her mountain home; itching for the shiny black shoes on display in the company store – only available only for a terrible price; itching to be allowed to read and know more of the world outside.
From “scrip” payments only redeemable at the company store to the moonshine industry, this novel highlights parts of American history that some would rather forget. Told in mountain vernacular as only the daughter of coal miner could, this page turner will not allow you to forget the journey of Hattie Mae.

[Anna M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Becoming Hattie Mae captures life in southeast Kentucky during the early 1920-30s. Carol Guthrie Heilman weaves a plot that is authentic and true, heartbreaking and redeeming without becoming mired in pathos or stereotypes. Her personal experiences as well as her research influence this book significantly. Throughout the plot, CGH touches on systemic issues that hindered miners and their families from the American dream (mineral rights laws, scrip, thugs) and the complex role Prohibition played in turning miners into moonshiners. The reader may be surprised by some aspects of the culture -- racism, old wives tales, traveling Gypsies, herb doctors, etc. -- but she will also be impressed by the strength, fortitude, and determination of the characters, especially the females.

[Denise Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Becoming Hattie Mae

Great story along the lines of “The Grapes of Wrath”. The story takes place in Appalachia in the year 1929. Now if you know any history at all you know that was a very dark time.
Hattie Mae is a 15year old girl that must grow up fast and learn the way of living when the only thing worth living for is family. Times were hard. People were harder. Coal miners were even harder. Moonshiners were even harder than coal miners. Hattie Mae’s father was both a coal miner and a moonshiner. The things that the family went through, the monetary struggles, injuries finding food to put in their bellies…. I really hope there is a sequel. It ended like there could be a sequel so fingers crossed….this book was a solid 4.5 stars out of 5 but I did give it 5 stars

[LINDA MCCAULEY · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hard story, too much of it truth!!!

A young woman, living in poverty, coming of age, yearning for more! Her love of reading causes friction with her father. Her father refuses to allow her and a younger sister to continue to go to school or have books in the home. His fears, a product of his past makes him a hard man! This story describes hardships that most modern people couldn’t understand! I let my housework go to finish the book. It grabbed hold and wouldn’t let go. The only issue I had with the book is that the author didn’t miss a chance to put West Virginia down! It was uncalled for and unnecessary!

[Gail Olmsted · Rating 5 out of 5]

Becoming Hattie Mae: A Hardscrabble Life in an Appalachian Holler by new-to-me author Carol Guthrie Heilman is a perfect blend of historical fiction and a coming-of-age story. The main character, 15 year old Hattie Mae Sizemore, is torn between wanting to escape from the dreary life she was born into and knowing how much her family depends upon her. Her father, a coal miner who supports his family with his moonshine production, doesn't understand his eldest daughter's desire for learning and virtually bans books and outsiders; his way of protecting her from the world. But Hattie is determined to make her way in the world and you'll find yourself hoping she does. Well-written with authentic detail and memorable characters.

[Karen Osborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

By page six my eyes were filled with tears. Carol Guthrie Heilman knows how to grab a reader and make her care about the protagonist from the start. Becoming Hattie Mae is a beautifully written coming of age story enhanced with meticulous historical detail. The setting and dialect come to life but mostly it is Hattie who touched my heart. I highly recommend the novel to fans of women's fiction, coming of age stories, and historical fiction. Looking forward to the author's next book. -- Karen E. Osborne, Author of Justice for Emerson and True Grace

[Summerfield-Petersburg Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hattie Mae is a teenage daughter of a coal miner living in the hollers of Appalachia. Hattie loves to read and feels her life must mean more than living in this coal camp. Her father is very strict and overbearing, he won't let her have books or return to school. She's got to find a way out. The storytelling and Kentucky Appalachia language takes the reader into the holler with Hattie. You feel her love for her home and family as well as her need to escape. I really enjoyed this book and will look for more from this author.

[Susan L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Becoming Hattie Mae” is one of those rare books that is written as with a paint brush. It creates an authentic portrait of twelve year old Hattie Mae—her life, hopes and dreams. It vividly reflects the 1920’s Appalachian coal mine town in which she lives and her family’s struggle to survive. The characters fascinating colloquial dialect greatly enhanced my enjoyment of the book. I heartily recommend it to all!!

[Ann Brubaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This insightful Appalachian tale draws us into Hattie Mae’s world and captures our imagination with exquisite detail and presentation. The southern mountain vernacular and plot are both compelling and satisfying, as they showcase Hattie Mae’s determination to find her place, despite every obstacle. The author has drawn on her vast knowledge and heritage to bring her riveting story to life. Very highly recommended.

[Betsy Thorne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five Stars for this read! Carol Heilman epitomizes Mark Twain's adage: Write what you know. The daughter of a Kentucky coal miner, she is adept at describing time and place, as well as creating characters and dialogue that ring true. Becoming Hattie Mae is an authentic portrayal of a young woman determined to make a meaningful life for herself. Heilman is a gifted storyteller.

[Gail Caldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

SI loved this book. I’m a big fan of Appalachian history and stories. I had cousins who lived in Kentucky and know this is how they talked in the 50’s when we visited. Mrs Heilman is a wonderful author. I was hoping there would be a second book to follow up on this one. I recommend this book highly.

[Judy Dearing · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book! Early on I became easily engaged with the characters -- heartfelt with their family life and resilience living in an oppresive coal mining community. The author does a great job interweaving the character's identity with the deep pull of belonging to their home, the Appalachian mountains.

[Larry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book. The storyline was both compelling and well-paced. Its tone and structure made it feel like a YA novel. The prose was clean and efficient.

Hattie, was somewhat inconsistent. In certain moments she felt authentic to her age and the historical setting, at other times, she veered toward flightiness.

[Linda Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hattie Mae is seemingly the most misunderstood. Forced to leave school because her father wants her to help out at home, he bans books and learning, which he does not trust. All she wants to do is make her way out of the Appalachian coal mine town into the world. You’ll find the descriptions and dialogue in this coming-of-age historical novel a treat!

[Linda Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Indescribable fortitude & determination

Harris's life is filled with deep commitment to her family & yearning for more,than the life of poverty in the mountains.
You know you've found a winner,when you read a book ,& in your head you are already thinking of actress & actors for the movie adaptation This book will leave you begging for a sequel!

[Judy Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hattie Mae

This grabbed me from the first chapter. Heartbreaking how the miners and their family’s were treated. I hated to see it end. I know Hattie Mae went on to do great things with her life.

[Kimberly Clement · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story! Authentic language is a plus!

Enjoyed this immensely! Didn't realize how "country" I am until I realized I had no trouble understanding and reading this wonderful book! Highly recommend!

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't think I would like this book, but actually it was very good. Loved Hattie

[Jeanette Pendergraph · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book

Hattie Mae the main character was strong, independent and determined. I hope she found what she deserved. Good look at the coal mining hard life.

[DONNA SWANGER · Rating 5 out of 5]

different

I liked this whole story. It certainly was differen t. so interesting how prople back in the day survived with the bare minimum!

[Rosie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good

[Ervin B. Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Read in one long dayI Couldn't put it down. Great characters, compelling story, felt true to the era and region. Thank you.

[jimmie gunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read.

I love your writing. I also love all the Appalachian stories I can find. Please keep writing all the good stories you can.

[Marc Dominick · Rating 5 out of 5]

a lovely coming of age story sure to delight

Hattie Mae’s story is woven in the pages with the Kentucky coal mine encampment as its backdrop. The perils and struggles are vividly told, with Hattie Mae discovering what we hope is a “happily ever after”.

[Christine J. LaRose · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent book

Loved this book🥰. Read it all in one day because it was hard to put down. Didn’t want it to end.