White Sands, Red Menace

Dewey's mother left years ago, and her father recently died, so Dewey lives with her best friend, Suze Gordon, and Suze's parents. They've just moved to Alamogordo, New Mexico, where Mr. Gordon builds V-2 rockets. Soon the girls are exploring their artistic and scientific interests and making new friends. After a year has passed, though, life is tense: Mrs. Gordon wants to go home to Berkeley, California, while Mr. Gordon insists on continuing his work for the space program. What's more, Dewey's unreliable mother reappears to claim her daughter. Author's note includes list and descriptions of research sources.