Ruby's War

by Johanna Winard, Julia Franklin (Reading)

1942. Fifteen year old Ruby is taken to live in a small industrial Lancashire village by her Grandfather and soon after her arrival US black troops take over a nearby camp. The young men are ready to help with the war effort but instead are alienated and mistrusted by their own white sergeants.In the autumn of 1942, fifteen year old Ruby is collected from her aunt s guesthouse by her grandfather. She is taken to live with him in a village in industrial Lancashire, where a few days after her arrival, a number of US Quartermaster Truck Companies of black troops take over a nearby camp. Bo, Con and Wes are ready to help with the war effort, but instead are alienated and mistrusted by their own white sergeants, forcing them to pass the days in the village. Before long tension rises between the newly arrived troops and the locals, many of whom still have embedded racial prejudices. As the town becomes divided, Ruby and her friends must struggle with adolescence, illicit love, dangerous friendships and the difficultly of doing what is right in a chaotic and unfair world. Based on the author s family history, it is a warm-hearted World War Two romance involving American GIs; a beautifully told story that evokes the times."

12 pages, Audio CD

First published March 20, 2014

Reviews

[Pat Raab · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book makes one take a long, hard look at oneself and the prejudice in the world around us.