Published June 3, 2021. I think of this one as my first COVID book. In early 2020, my right shoulder was replaced and about that time COVID began to take over our lives. My Favorite Guy didn’t want me exposed to it while recovering from surgery so he took over grocery shopping. I only left the house for physical therapy on my shoulder.
I didn’t want to hear Mom’s stories about her family living in poverty during the Great Depression. They were usually aimed at daughters who grew up with plenty of food and clothes (even bobby socks) and piano lessons, which she longed for.
The research waited in a notebook–newspaper clippings, family letters, and stories Mom had told about those days. By then, I’d make notes of any episode she wanted to share. I just needed to weave the heartbreaking stories together with the winsome ones.
A labor of love.
Because of the letters and photos to their “Navy boys,” who joined so they’d have enough to eat, readers become acquainted with each of the seven youngsters during those poignant growing-up days. Is that why it’s readers’ favorites of the Leora books?
Leora’s Dexter Stories: The Scarcity Years of the Great Depression is probably my favorite as well!
Happy Book Birthday!! I’m glad you were able to put all this valuable info into a book. Well done.
Bless you, Darlene. A labor of love.
Outstanding, Joy!
I agree 100% with the quote from Luanne. These books needs to be taught in schools.
If I’d found a book like this one as a kid, I wouldn’t have shied away from history classes all the way through college!
I loved history classes in college. I even took a number of them as general electives.
heart smiles here
On the subject of birthdays, June 4, Happy Birthday to you, Joy. It is also the anniversary of D Day, as you well know.
Well, thank you, Bob, also for your card! It’s also the anniversary of the capture of the U-505, which is now owned by the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry! I just reposted a story about it: https://joynealkidney.com/2019/06/03/nazi-submarine-u-505-captured-june-4-1944/
Oh man, I almost missed it. Happy birthday!
I was too subtle? Julie sent greetings on FB!
Happy Birthday to “Leora’s Dexter Stories!” Luanne Castle couldn’t be more right. This, and all your books, should be required reading for students. You actually do make history come alive. 🙂
Bless you, Nancy!
Great accomplishment after having a shoulder replacement during COVID, Joy! Your writing is so historically true, that they would be a good read for students.
Thank you, Tim.
Wonderful, Joy!