Red Menace by Lois Ruby - OPTIONAL

Red Menace by Lois Ruby, 207 pages. Carolrhoda (Lerner), 2020. $18.

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW

Marty’s (13yo) neighborhood and especially his family are under siege by the government. Their neighbors, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg have been convicted of being communist spies and are awaiting their execution. Marty’s father signed a loyalty oath, but his activist mother refuses.  With the FBI literally parked outside their front scrutinizing every move and opening every piece of mail, can their family hold together, or will they be torn apart by the pressure?

Historical fiction set during the Cold War is a very dry, difficult challenge.  Unfortunately, Ruby, even with all of her skill, doesn’t manage to breathe life into the era.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS