Don't Be Give UP, is the story of a young girl growing up in a Colorado coal mining town during World War II. Seen through the eyes of Shirley Skufca, history and narrative merge to explore the war on the Home Front. At first the war is exciting for Shirley and her sisters as they play spies, war games, and can dirty for winter mud pies. But the war becomes more serious when Shirley's uncles leave to go into the army. As the war drags on, everything in Shirley's daily life is affected by the war, the rationing of food, gas, clothing and shoes. Told with humor and pathos, this book is an important reminder of the sacrifices made on all fronts to win the war.