Book of the Week #49 "Ain't We Got Fun"
by Emily Chapman
and Emily Ann Putzke
In 1936, The Great Depression is hitting families
hard. 21-year-old Georgianna Rowland, or
Gi, as her family calls her, wants to be on her own and independent. She leaves
her prairie upbringing in Kansas to live in New York City, hoping to find a
glamorous job that will leave her with enough money to take care of her family.
Meanwhile, her younger sister Bess stays at home and the two correspond through
letters. At 17, Bess doesn't understand why Gi would want to leave their
beloved home, though she herself feels bursts of "wanderlust" from
time to time. Though there are differences in the girls' age as well as their
living arrangements, the two still experience some of the same things, like
first loves, and are heartbroken by the poverty and struggling all around them.
I've always been drawn to books about The Great
Depression. It isn't my favorite era, and it isn't a particularly happy period
to read about, but there's some essence about it that I'm drawn to. Aside from
historical fiction, I would label this book under the coming of age genre. It
details those feelings of uncertainty that we all feel as we grow, and the want
to get away and experience something new. Though there is a four year age gap
between the two sisters, they still find themselves experiencing first loves
and find that they can learn from one another. Even though this story deals
with The Great Depression, which is a very serious subject, there are touches
of humor throughout the story that I feel help round it out and keep it from
becoming too heavy, though it does detail some of the sadder parts of the era,
as well as some of the trials that the girls must face. I think this would be a
good book for teenagers that are interested in reading about The Great
Depression, because they could find something to relate to in Gi and Bess.
All in all, I think this is a very nice coming of age
tale set in one of America's most trying times.
I give this book a 4 out of 5.
I've heard good things about this story. Hoping to read it some day!
ReplyDeleteIt's a really good book. I think you'll like it. :)
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