Books: Sister Act

MY SISTER EILEEN—Ruth McKenney—Harcourt, Brace ($2).

Back in 1918, when Ruth McKenney was six and her sister Eileen was five, the movie matinees of Mishawaka. Ind., were a big thing in the lives of the children of the town. They lasted all afternoon, cost only a nickel, and showed a new installment of a serial every day. Since few of the audience could read, childish riots, peanut fights, screams and free-for-alls broke out when subtitles were too long. The fun lasted until the operator switched on the lights and bawled: "Shut up, you brats, or I'll throw you all out." Ruth and...