Kitty Carter, Canteen Girl

by Ruby Lorraine Radford

"Kitty Carter, Canteen Girl" by Ruby Lorraine Radford is a novel written in the mid-20th century. It centers around Kitty Carter, a young woman who, with her brother Billy and father, navigates the challenges of wartime life on Palmetto Island. The story explores themes of sacrifice, service, and the personal struggles faced by those on the home front during World War II, as Kitty embarks on a journey to join the Canteen Corps and contribute to the war effort. At the start of the book, we meet Kitty and her younger brother, Billy, as they watch a military parade celebrating the Community Chest drive in their town. Kitty feels a mix of pride and sorrow, grappling with her desire to join the WAVES and her responsibility to her brother after their Aunt's departure. After a chance encounter with a sailor named Brad Mason, she learns about the Canteen Corps and its vital role in supporting servicemen. Motivated to help, Kitty expresses her eagerness to join and quickly becomes excited about her opportunities to make a difference through Canteen work, all while caring for her family and wrestling with the complexities of friendship and burgeoning relationships in a time of war.