This is the true story of the author's life as a young teen living in bustling Dayton, Ohio, during World War II. As the Great Depression ends and World War II beings, the Kibler family finds their lives drastically challenged by her father's meager white-collar salary, by life in a miserable trailer camp, by devastating fire, and by her mother's near-death illness. Yet, the family, like all Americans of that era, willingly sacrifices in every way possible to help the war effort. Father and daughter follow news of every battle and locate places on their world map. Ruth Ann finds joy in new friends, the beauty of Island Park, and in being a teenager.