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It is 1915
and America is about to enter World War I. This
will affect the lives of every American, even the
lives of a farm family in Indiana. Ruthie Hawk is
eight and is already having a hard time
acting like a "lady," but being the only girl in a
family with six brothers does not make it any
easier. A doll named Clarinda, advertised in the
Sears Catalog, might be Ruthie's only hope for
becoming a lady. Will Ruthie ever be able to own
Clarinda and solve her problem? Is Clarinda the
gift in the title? And, even more pressing, will
the new baby be a girl? Will Ruthie find a real
friend at school this year? If you enjoyed the
American Girl stories about Kirsten, this book may
remind you of them, but better, because Ruthie is a
real heroine among her brother. A book for both
boys and girls!! (Jeannie Bellavance
bellavance@erols.com
for Pennsylvania
Young Reader's Choice
Awards)
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