by Teresa Funke
thing she bought with her paycheck was a Mixmaster for her grandmother.
Shirley had three close cousins who went to war. One was killed; the other two made it home. One of her friends had a brother who joined the service. He was the inspiration for Hal in Doing My Part. And Mrs. Osthoff was loosely based on a real person who lived across the alley from Shirley, a woman who spoke little English and often wailed for her beloved son who’d gone off to war. It was Shirley’s family who later had to deliver the message about this boy’s death to his heartbroken mother.
And what about Westclox? What was it really like for Shirley? Very much as I described it in the book, including the accident with the drill and women like Martha and Betty who made things challenging for the younger girls.
Shirley is now eighty years old. She taught kindergarten for thirty-eight years and loves children. She lives in Colorado and is pleased to have a book based on her experiences.
If You’d Been Friends with Helen Marshall
If you’d been friends with Helen Marshall, you might have:
Helped her in her VICTORY GARDEN. During World War II, more than twenty million families planted Victory Gardens. Many, like Helen’s, chose to expand gardens they already had. They planted familiar vegetables like tomatoes, carrots and lettuce, but also ones they’d never heard of before, like Swiss chard. Growing their own produce helped families deal with wartime food shortages and enabled them to save money they could donate to the war effort. People in cities planted gardens on the roofs of their high-rise buildings or in vacant lots. Even movie stars were proud to show off their Victory Gardens. At the end of the growing season, you and Helen may have helped your mothers “can” or “jar” the produce you had grown, so you could enjoy it all winter long.
Traded RATIONING STAMPS. Many foods were rationed during World War II to make sure the government had enough supplies and materials to meet its wartime needs. This meant that average families like Helen’s had to keep track of the amount of meats, dairy products and sugar they used, among other things. They could purchase those items only if they had the correct amount of stamps or tokens. Not only food was rationed. Shoes, gasoline and women’s nylon stockings were also controlled. Sometimes you could trade with a neighbor. Shirley Brand’s family used to trade gasoline ration stamps to a dairy farmer, who gave them whipped cream in return.
Set up a WAR BONDS DRIVE. During World War II, Americans were encouraged to buy War Bonds, which were essentially a loan to the government so it could pay for the war. Even school children were asked to raise money to purchase bonds. Teachers would hand out Savings Bond booklets, and kids could purchase 10-cent or 25-cent Defense Stamps to paste into their booklets. When the booklet was filled, the child received a Savings Bond. American children like Helen raised over a billion dollars’ worth of stamps and bonds to help win the war.
Handed out food to the TROOP TRAINS. When you and Helen were a little older, you might have gone with other high school girls to the nearby town of Streater to meet the troop trains traveling west from Chicago. Volunteers would gather at the depot to hand out coffee, sandwiches, cookies and fruit to the hungry troops passing through. Shirley Brand remembers passing coffee and doughnuts up through the train windows to the smiling servicemen.
About the Author
Teresa R. Funke is the author of award-winning novels based on true stories from WWII. Her short stories and essays have appeared in numerous commercial and literary magazines and anthologies. Two of her essays have been listed as Notable Essays of 2002 and 2004 by the prestigious Best American Essays series.
Teresa has worked as a researcher for PBS and several museums. Her articles and columns have appeared in magazines and newspapers around the country. A popular speaker, presenter and writer’s coach, Teresa is also the on-screen host of a writers’ video series called The Write Series.
Teresa also enjoys writing for children. Her Home-Front Heroes series for middle-grade readers is fast becoming popular among young readers and teachers. Please check her website for more information about Teresa and her books, www.teresafunke.com
Also by Teresa Funke
Remember Wake
Dancing in Combat Boots
No-No Boys
V For Victory
Wave Me Good-Bye
Dancing in Combat Boots - and Other Stories of American Women in World War II
“Women—free, independent, and self-motivated women—were essential to our victory in WWII. Dancing in Combat Boots beautifully recreates that time when American women’s roles were evolving and their personal horizons expanding. Poignant and inspiring, these stories celebrate the contributions of America’s other war heroes, the women of World War II.”
— Doris Weatherford, author of American Women and World War II
When the going got tough during World War II, America’s women got going. By the millions, housewives and mothers took off their aprons and stepped into factories, offices, hospitals—anywhere capable hands were needed to replace those of the husbands and sons now battling overseas.
The eleven fictional stories in this remarkable collection are based on real women whose experiences were at once typical and extraordinary. Irene bucks rivets in an aircraft factory while Doris learns to pilot military planes. Marjorie survives the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor while Jean spends three years under guard in a Japanese internment camp. Lucy joins the segregated Women’s Army Corp and Kathryn joins the Red Cross—shipping off to the front lines where she dances in combat boots with American GIs.
From the topsy-turvy days following Pearl Harbor, through four long years of hardship, to the post-war campaigns to put women back in their place, these stories reveal the many facets of women’s lives as they gave their all for the war effort.
Remember Wake - A novel based on a true story
December, 1941—While the world focuses on the carnage at Pearl Harbor, tiny Wake Island 2,300 miles west is also under attack. On it are 1,200 civilians and a small detachment of marines. This frightened, under-equipped band of Americans will hold the mighty Japanese navy at bay for sixteen days before succumbing to the sweeping invasion. “Remember Wake” becomes a battle cry for a nation marching to war.
Now prisoners of the Emperor, Colin Finnely and the others are crowded aboard a notorious Japanese hell-ship bound for Asia, where they will suffer four long years as slave laborers in disease-infested camps. They will die by the hundreds.
With only one reason to live—his love for his fiancée, Maggie Braun—Colin struggles to survive torture and inhuman conditions.
And on the home front, Maggie, unsure if Colin is even alive, faces agonizing decisions that may alter both their lives.
Reader comments for Remember Wake
“A book club must.”
– A barnesandnoble.com reviewer
“Remember Wake is a compelling book filled with details of World War II at home and abroad. Promising young writer Teresa R. Funke tells a story of young lovers caught up in the events of wartime that will haunt you long after you’ve finished the book.”
– Sandra Dallas, author of Alice’s Tulipsand The Persian Pickle Club
“Teresa Funke’s novel Remember Wake is a great addition to your historical fiction collection. This is a rich re-telling of the WWII Battle of Wake Island. The novel brings to life an inspiring story of bravery, stoic suffering and love. A good read for historians and romantics alike.”
– Colorado Libraries Journal
“The history behind Remember Wakeis intriguing. A handful of Americans held off the Japanese navy for sixteen days at Wake Island, aided by the heroic efforts of armed civilians. The author’s depictions of prison camps are authentic and harrowing.
The novel traces the effects of war on its two civilian protagonists, ordinary people caught in the tides of history. Maggie and Colin are heroic, not because they control their circumstances, but because they surv
ive them. The story is always well told, and the scenes between Maggie and William Preston, a would-be suitor, are genuinely heartbreaking. Remember Wake is a great read.”
– Brian Kaufman, author of The Breach
A wonderful and informative book
I couldn’t put it down! This is such an inspiring story! The main characters went through such a terrible battle to survive the prison ships and prison camps. It’s incredible that this is based on true facts! The author really shows you what it would be like to survive a war.”
– Carla Wilkins, barnesandnoble.com reviewer
A great history book
Remember Wakedid more for teaching history to my kids than their Social Studies textbooks did in a year because the novel interested them. I highly recommend it for all school libraries.”
– Lorraine Nuxoll, barnesandnoble.com reviewer
Recalling an oft-forgotten story
Remember Wake (a real page-turner) had me fascinated from the first few pages. The characters were likeable and interesting, moreover, the images (especially those from the POW camps) were real and powerful.”
– A reporter for the Lewiston Morning Tribune, amazon.com review
Fascinating read
A wonderful, interesting read about Wake Island and its role in WWII, brought to life through two fascinating characters. I particularly enjoyed learning about the hardships experience by women left at home. A terrific book!”
– A reader from Fort Collins, amazon.com