Russell Baker details the story of his and his mother's struggle during the difficult times of the Great Depression. His mother married a man whose mother was unapproving of the marriage. After Baker's father suddenly passes at a young age from diabetes, leaving his mother with him and his two other siblings. With Lucy, Russell’s mother, being the head of the household, she is forced to work to take care of her family. However, she cannot seem to contract a job due to the dawn of the Great Depression. Baker grows up seeing his mother work diligently at trying to find money and a home for her family, ultimately forcing them to live with family for quite some time. After searching for years, his mother eventually marries his new stepfather, Herb: a railroad contractor who can financially support Lucy and the rest of the family. A short time after being in college, Russell realizes there is no escaping the war. Post war, Baker meets Mimi, a woman who wants to marry, but "it isn't in the cards." After awhile, Baker's mother finally shows approval of his love for Mimi, allowing Russell to change his hand and marry the woman he loves. The end of the story refers to the beginning in which his mother is in a home, suffering from Alzheimers. Although Russell Baker's life was a struggle, his love and passion for writing, as well as his handwork and determination, got him through the hard times. This is an excellent read for a well developed reader in upper elementary. Although there are topics discussed the child may not feel comfortable discussing (sex), the mentions are few and far between. This book could be transformed into an excellent biography children's picture book if Baker truly desired; allowing children of all ages to see and hear the story of his life. Overall, this is a good book, especially for reading groups. Literary discussions over this book could encompass a variety of topics: literary style, history, how you would illustrate it if it were a picture book, and so much more. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel, and I highly recommend it for the Great Depression history-lovers.
Do You like book Growing Up (1992)?
Once again, I read this book for a Memoir Writing class that I was taking in grad school. This one I didn't particularly like for various reasons. As a matter of fact, I didn't finish it. Life is way to short to read bad books, don't you think? Russell Baker used to work for the Baltimore Sun, my hometown paper. He went on to join the New York Times where he wrote political columns. He received the Pulitzer Prize for Growing Up, but I'm not sure exactly why. Perhaps it's because he is pretty good at writing effective dialogue, I don't know. But, one thing I do know--this book has way too much detail and drags on and on. This book is more or less an autobiography - it spans an entire adolescence and not just a period in time, which is more what a memoir should be.
—Bev Wall
I read this book in the 10th grade for a school project and fell in love. Funny, warm, witty--an absolute joy to read. Russel Baker is best known for writing a column in the NY Times called Poor Russel's Almanac, and Growing Up is a memoir about his own childhood growing up in 1930's America. He is a real-life Charlie Brown, who looks back upon his own bumblings and foibles with humor and grace. It is one of my father's favorite books as well, and I feel that pretty much anyone with half a heart will have a good laugh and be touched by his writing.
—Jessica
This is an autobiography by Russell Baker that actually begins before he was born. In truth it's as much a biography of his mother as it is about him growing up during the depression, attending college against all odds, becoming a pilot while the second world war comes to a conclusion, becoming a newspaper man, meeting the love of his life against his mother's approval and so on...life is a poignant struggle made all the more extraordinary by just how ordinary it was. I found it thoroughly engaging!
—Michael Alan Grapin
