Christine Fletcher (1)

Chicago, 1941. Ruby has problems with her mother, her sister, and her whole life in the Back of the Yards neighborhood. Ruby hates working in the meat-packing factory, and she desperately wants to catch the eye of cute 19-year-old Paulie. When Paulie sets her up as a "taxi-dancer," a girl who dances with men for 10 cents per dance, Ruby knows that her mother would kill her if she found out -- but Ruby thinks it's the only way to relieve the family's grinding poverty. Along the way, Ruby grows up fast: Men want more than a measly flirt for the good money they pay.

Ruby's struggles in Ten Cents a Dance could be the problems of any 15-year-old girl today, forced to help her family make ends meet. Ruby wants excitement, money, cute guys -- but she wants to be part of her family, too. And when her younger sister starts following in her footsteps, Ruby has to make some fast decisions.

Morals of the story? Growing up is tough and you'll make mistakes. Sometimes you trust the wrong people. But you know what? You'll get through it.… (altro)