The Beet Fields

A character known only as ‘The Boy’ quits his dysfunctional home and learns how to survive and become a man in 1950s’ America. He takes menial, transitory agricultural jobs and eventually joins a fairground set-up, which includes amongst its attractions, the delicious, free-giving Ruby.

Paulsen is a highly regarded writer. This offering has an easy-going and engaging style; Steinbeck comes to mind with shades of an American Cider with Rosie. It could serve to make a useful introduction or comparison with either.