Rise! A Girl's Struggle for More: A Review

November 05, 2021

Ruby Pearl, the heroine of Dianne Floyd Boehm’s novel stands precariously on the cusp of life. In the small village of Oilton, Oklahoma. Horse and buggy are still the primary means of transportation. Ruby Pearl has been transported by her mind. She hears the call of modern life in a big city like Tulsa, Oklahoma City or Chicago.

Diann Floyd Boehm has written a Young Adult novel based on the life of her grandmother. By deftly weaving memories and history of the 1920’s, Ms. Boehm. fictitiously, recounts her grandmother’s struggle to achieve the life of her dreams. Ms. Boehm’s grandmother's dream is not the life assumed and expected by her parents and the community of Oilton.

Ruby Pearl loves to read and write. She also loves her family. A husband, children and home are important to her. She does not want, though, to become as the author writes, “the CEO of the household” without first experiencing life in “the big city.” She wants to live in a big city like Tulsa, Oklahoma City or Chicago before settling down. The adventures and escapades of Ruby Pearl may differ from those of another person or generation, but all share the predictable, timeless constant of teenage angst.

Diann Floyd Boehm captures the rural life of the 1920's in rural Oklahoma. She displays the skill of her writing by bringing the people and the community of Oilton, at that time, to life. The reader becomes part of the narrative. One is allowed to be in the action. We smell the scents and taste the foods. The novel immerses the reader in the noise and daily grind of the small community where Ruby Pearl lives and dreams.

I highly recommend RISE! for young adults and (older young people) adults, too!