Viola Rowe (1903–1969)

Rusty, the youngest and only girl with four older brothers. Rusty is still mostly interested in sports, not boys, and her beloved older brother quitting the sports teams and acting odd-- over a girl, in fact-- is more than she can stand, especially as her best friend (girl) has also started giggling over boys. But despite there being a little secret about Rusty herself, she starts to become a little more comfortable with girlishness over the course of the book, appears to collect a show more boyfriend, and helps her brother sort out his issues.
SO SO VERY 1960s teen girl book, but it entranced me when I was 8 or 9! show less

"I won't cry," Rusty says to herself. "I'm not going to cry!"

Isn't it bad enough that she has red hair and freckles? That she'd rather play ball than be a 'proper girl'? That her very best friend is starting to act silly about boys? Rusty's older brother is behaving strangely too. Worst of all, she
discovers a family secret about herself. No wonder she feels like crying! Then Rusty finds a special friend - and he turns out to be someone she can count on.

An adopted teenager struggles to come to terms with her looks and her past. This is a nice book for teenage girls, those I suppose that most of the nowadays would be bored or amused by its naivte.