Book Review - The Beantown Girls

AI generated picture of a Red Cross Clubmobile vehicle.

AI generated white circle with a red "t" in the center to depict the red cross.

Did you know this piece of WWII history you may not have heard of that involved courageous young women of the 1940s? The more familiar roles of women in this war included those that served in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAACs), The Navy Women’s Reserve (WAVES), the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve, the Coast Gaurd Women’s Reserve (SPARS), the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPS), the Army Nurse Corps, and the Navy Nurse Corps (The National WWII Museum, 2024). In the various armed services, women took clerical roles, flew planes, and even repaired aircraft, to name a few (The National, 2024). Women took factory jobs at home to ensure war supplies were readily available and kept their homes intact while husbands, fathers, and brothers were in uniform (The National, 2024).

One lesser-known but equally significant role was that of the Clubmobile Girls. When the American Red Cross called for female volunteers, these young women stepped up to serve their country. Their mission? To bring a taste of home and moments of civility and peace to servicemen overseas by delivering donuts, coffee, and conversation out in the field where the units were deployed. The real-life Clubmobile Girls, aka the Donut Dollies, departed the US in 1944, and it's here we meet three best friends who sign up as Clubmobile Girls in Jane Healy's The Beantown Girls. The Beantown Girls, a work of historical fiction, educates the reader on the types of journies these women took that would demand great sacrifice. Yet, the sacrifices the Donut Dollies made, completing their mission with style, grace, love, and courage, helped to remind the soldiers and those who read this story that life still holds promise and to keep the faith.

A man and women dressed in military uniforms having coffee and donuts. This picture is AI generated.

Meet - The Beantown Girls

The Beantown Girls' main character, Fiona Denning, is determined to find her missing fiance. She sees the Clubmobile position as her ticket to uncover the mystery behind her finance’s disappearance. Fiona, unwavering, convinces her two best friends to join her on this adventure of a lifetime. Viviana, one of her best friends, is more than happy to leave her hometown behind for the adventure, while Dottie, the shy music teacher, unbeknownst, will come into her own on this assignment to serve others.

The book provides the reader with mystery, love, hope, and, at times, grief as the women drive their donut truck, from rural outposts to the front lines. The novel is so compelling you won’t want to put it down until you've followed their journey to the very end.

How to Host a Book Club with The Beantown Girls

Turn your book club into a lively, mobile-style celebration inspired by the "Donut Dollies" who served during World War II! While discussing The Beantown Girls, serve coffee and donuts to capture the spirit of these courageous women—an homage to the treats the Donut Dollies shared with troops.
To add a nostalgic touch, include candy cigarettes. I ordered some online, and the ladies at our book club found them hilarious; they playfully "puffed" away, recalling the era when smoking was in vogue. I also put out a bowl of Lifesavers and some chewing gum, both classic throwbacks.
For ambiance, I curated a playlist featuring songs mentioned in the book and hits from the WWII era. If you're looking for a ready-made soundtrack, check out Spotify for a themed playlist that captures the essence of the 1940s.
Hosting in May was especially meaningful as we celebrated Memorial Day. Many attendees shared stories about their family members who served in the war, making the gathering even more poignant.
I love creating little favors for guests, so I put together patriotic gift bags with a feminine twist. Since red lipstick was a signature look of the 1940s, I included a tinted lip gloss, a bookmark, patriotic stickers, and mini USA flags from the dollar store. This detail honors the "Clubmobile Girls," who were also known for their looks and charm back then.

The ladies were thrilled with their parting gifts, and we all felt like we'd stepped back into a memorable, spirited moment in history.

AI generated picture of a donut with pink icing and a bluish mug with coffee in it.

Highlights of the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross was founded in 1881 by Clara Barton. Her full name was Clarissa Harlowe Barton, and she was a teacher, government employee, and humanitarian. She was inspired to start the American Red Cross after visiting overseas and volunteering to assist the International Red Cross during the Franco-Prussian War. This was not her first time helping like this, as during the Civil War in her own country, she delivered supplies to the battlefield, tended to the injured, and helped locate missing soldiers. Upon returning home from the Fanco-Prussian War, it took many years for Clara Barton to achieve her goal of starting something similar. It wasn’t until she convinced the 21st President of the United States, Chester Arthur, that an American Chapter of the International Red Cross would benefit America during times of war and other times of need in the country (American Red Cross, 2024).

Some interesting facts about The American Red Cross:

Some of the organization's first initiatives were to promote first aid, water safety, and nursing programs.
With the outbreak of World War I, the membership, chapters, and initiatives grew exponentially. For example, there were only 107 chapters in 1914, but by 1918, there were 3,864.
During World War II, the American Red Cross was called to assist with nursing personnel, gather and ship supplies, and start the first national blood program.
Today, they continue to support service men and women in the military, civilians during national disasters, blood collection, and educational programs related to health and safety (American Red Cross, 2024).

Highlights of the Donut Dollies from the Clubmobiles

With the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the American Red Cross went into action per the 1905 congressional charter. Their duty was to “supply voluntary aid to the sick and wounded of armies in time of war and to serve as a source of communication between the civilians of the United States and their military. The War Department decreed that the Red Cross would be the only civilian service organization permitted to work with overseas military personnel (Apple, n.d., para. 2).” The American Red Cross clubmobiles were operated by women who volunteered to provide entertainment, food, and a feeling of home to the soldiers on the front line. The women were commonly called Donut Dollies due to the doughnuts they gave out.

Some fun facts about the Clubmobiles:

To become a Donut Dolly, the woman must be college-educated, at least 25 years old, supported by outstanding reference letters, and pass a physical examination and a personal interview.
The selected women then went through an extensive training program, but only one of six made it to finally become a Donut Dolly.
The Doughnut Corporation of America loaned the Red Cross 468 doughnut machines.
One doughnut machine could make 48 dozen an hour, but this would not meet the demand, so a bakery was set up to help meet the demand.
It is estimated that the Donut Dollies in Great Britain alone served 4,659,728 doughnuts to the troops (Apple, n.d.).

When you read the book, you will get a glimpse into the rigorous application process, training, and job duties these women went through. The book shows the bravery, resilience, and compassion of the Red Cross Clubmobile girls. You can’t help but fall in love with Fiona, Viv, and Dottie as they capture the emotional highs and lows of wartime service and their profound impact on the soldiers and their lives. They depict the unsung heroes of the war. Again, it is a reminder of the power of friendship and a testament to the courage it takes to bring hope and comfort in the darkest times. Tell us what you think of the book and whether it showcases in a fictitious manner the life of those who were accepted for the vital role of a Donut Dolly.