SOLVED. Juvenile fiction - set in West Texas. Less than 5 yrs old. Boy being bullied, dust storms, doesn't know he's Jewish. Post WWII. Lives with grandfather. [s]

[Gillian]

This juvenile fiction was new when I read it in the last 5 years, at least 2 years ago. It was set in West Texas. I think it was in the 50's or 60's? The boy lived with his Grandfather. I believe his father may have been in prison but am not certain of that. His mother was dead, I think. The boy is being bullied in school. I know it turns out the bully has an alcoholic father who beats him up. They might become friends, or at least stop being enemies by the end of the book. The boy makes another friend at school, who helps him discover that the "secret treasure" he has that was his mother's, reveals that his mother was Jewish. The boy never knew this about his mother/himself. The new friend is probably also Jewish, but I'm not absolutely certain. I know that dust storms featured significantly in the novel; the boy saves his bully friend from the dust storm? I think. That's about all I can remember.

[Rainbowheart]

When Lightnin' Struck

[Gillian]

Yes! Thank you, that is definitely it.

[Rainbowheart]

You're welcome, glad to help out!