Ruth Brookshire

From the Cornfield Ghetto: a Collection of Stories and Novellas Ruth Brookshire

GHETTO-- an area where social, economic, or racial minorities live. Many times ghetto inhabitants are victims of discrimination. In Midwestern areas where cornfields enclose rural areas, people are also bound together. They may suffer from some discrimination, but in many cases, cornfield ghetto residents prefer to be left alone with their own traditions and rules. This book examines some of them. GHETTO RULE # 1 Property must be protected. WOMAN'SBEST FRIEND Sarah Goodwin believes in taking care of herself. She also believes that brains always overcome brawn...until the night she has some unwelcome guests. GHETTO RULE # 2 Friends must be protected. THE FRIENDSHIP CAPER The Silver Sleuths, three retired friends, investigate the new man in another friend's life. Is he really as wonderful as he appears? GHETTO RULE #3 Competition rules. THEGREAT WASHDAY WARS A young farm girl discovers the rules of laundry and something about life GHETTO RULE # 4 Traditions must be maintained. COUNTING CHANGEThe farmer's daughter breaks most ghetto traditions, except one of her mother's favorites. GHETTO RULE # 5 Guard the family secrets. BANANA SALADEveryone raves about Aunt Tillie's banana salad. Her husband's nieceis the only exception. GHETTO RULE # 6 Work for what you want. THE EYE AND THE SERPENT