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Welcome to the '50s. Twelve-year-old Ruthie Tepper is a good girl, an obedient daughter, an eager student. She craves attention and praise from her parents, and begrudgingly tends to her younger brothers - Michael, Isaac, and especially Eddy, whom others label "slow" or "retarded." She dreams of being a comedienne on TV like Lucille Ball.

In simple, clear, and carefully chosen episodes, Rut... More

Welcome to the '50s. Twelve-year-old Ruthie Tepper is a good girl, an obedient daughter, an eager student. She craves attention and praise from her parents, and begrudgingly tends to her younger brothers - Michael, Isaac, and especially Eddy, whom others label "slow" or "retarded." She dreams of being a comedienne on TV like Lucille Ball.

In simple, clear, and carefully chosen episodes, Ruthie reveals the currents and undercurrents of her life: the growing tension within her family and between her parents around work, money, and Eddy's welfare; her resentment at having to look after Eddy; family dinners that are ticking time bombs. When tensions escalate to hitting, Ruthie acts to protect herself and Eddy. She takes him and runs away to be with their grandmother in Baltimore. Although they're intercepted and brought back, Ruthie returns home a changed girl. She finds a voice with which to tell her mother, "Quit yelling." At times funny, at times piercing, always honest, this story is the stuff of real families, real growing up.

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