As the country slips deeper into the Great Depression, 13-year-old Virginia was preoccupied with the tragedy of Charles Lindbergh, boys, and new shoes. That is until her unemployed Uncle Jim’s family is forced to move into her house and she loses her bedroom. Then she discovered Soo City, a homeless camp that sprang up seemingly overnight on the outskirts of her Midwest town. She joins her father in bringing them food and medical attention. But the rich and powerful of the town have set their sights on driving these people away as well as crushing the local labor strike supported by father and Uncle Jim. As Virginia is caught up in momentous events, it rocks her world and changes her forever.
In A Room of My Own, Virginia witnesses many social injustices that challenge her faith as her family and others struggle to survive. In the process, she grows up that summer. This is an interesting historical with nice character development and unique coming of age tale. For those readers who persevere through the slow opening, the story heats up and the readers will be richly rewarded with the action, drama, and resolution.
Age Range: 12-18
Genre: Historical, Coming of Age
Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, 2011
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