Overview
Ruthie lives on a prairie farm where the sky hasn’t rained in years. The wind blows dust all around them, and the crops are long gone. It’s the 1930s, deep in the Dust Bowl, and Ruthie’s family is struggling to hang on.
Her father calls it a battle—against dust storms, drought, and even grasshoppers. He says they’re fighting with courage and hope. But Ruthie doesn’t feel very brave.
It doesn’t help that her big brother, Roy, loves to scare her with creepy critters and spooky stories. Or that school is tough, with mean kids like Alice, embarrassing clothes, and games that Ruthie always seems to mess up. And then there are the strange dreams—the howls in the night, the troublemakers down the road, and a mysterious stranger who may not be safe.
At least she has her dog, Rover. He listens when no one else does, and his wagging tail always makes things feel a little better. But when Rover’s safety is suddenly at risk, Ruthie’s world starts to unravel.
And the biggest fear of all? That the drought might force them off their land forever.
Can Ruthie discover what it means to be brave—even when everything around her feels broken and dry?
Ruthie’s Dusty Path to Courage is a heartwarming story of hope and resilience, perfect for children ages 8 to 12. Includes discussion questions for families, classrooms, and homeschool groups.
While major retailers like Amazon may carry Ruthie's Dusty Path to Courage, we specialize in bulk book sales and offer personalized service from our friendly, book-smart team based in Portland, Oregon. We’re proud to offer a Price Match Guarantee and a streamlined ordering experience from people who truly care.
We’re trusted by over 75,000 customers, many of whom return time and again. Want proof? Just check out our 25,000+ customer reviews—real feedback from people who love how we do business.
Prefer to talk to a real person? Our Book Specialists are here Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST and ready to help with your bulk order of Ruthie's Dusty Path to Courage.