Ruthie's Gift

Ruthie's Gift is a poignant and gently humorous historical fiction novel for middle grade readers, set in a rural Indiana farming community at the outset of World War I. The story centers on eight-year-old tomboy Ruthie, chronicling a pivotal year in her life. During this time, she experiences significant milestones, including the birth of her sixth brother, forming her first meaningful friendships with twin girls, a near-fatal bout with pneumonia, and the profound grief of losing a brother to the war. The book beautifully explores themes of self-discovery, family bonds, friendship, and resilience amidst hardship, offering a rich setting and memorable characters that will resonate with readers aged 8-12.

Set in a small Indiana farming community at the start of World War I, this is the heartwarming and gently humorous story of Ruthie, an 8-year-old tomboy who develops a stronger sense of self and selflessness during a particularly dramatic year in her life: the year her sixth brother is born, the year she makes her first friends (twin girls), the year she almost dies of pneumonia, the year the war takes one of her brothers from her. Rich in setting and brimming with lovable characters, Ruthie's Gift is a thoroughly satisfying story of family and identity.