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egould1's review against another edition
4.0
Cleary’s memoir was very interesting. She recorded so much of her childhood, it becomes obvious that she was destined to become the author of children’s books.
gwenby's review against another edition
5.0
This is the Beverly Cleary book for non-fans of her children’s literature. It is not really a children’s book. It’s a memoir spanning her life from young childhood until she escapes home for college. It’s also a nice period piece about the 1930s, touching on culture and vocabulary of the time. It left me wanting more, and I’m glad to learn there’s a sequel: My Own Two Feet. Can’t wait.
I remain a non-fan of Ms. Cleary’s children’s literature, but I am now a fan of her. She was a child, an adolescent, of her time. She was strong and true to herself, while living in the confines life had given her. She had a loving father and a good friend. And she was ever so funny!
I know she still lives at age 100+ in a nursing home in California. And I wonder about her children. I sense from minor research that she is basically gone. But having read this book I can say I would’ve liked to have known her, to have been her friend, and to have shared some of her “college preparatory class” with her, and perhaps even with her mother, all while sipping a Green River soda.
I remain a non-fan of Ms. Cleary’s children’s literature, but I am now a fan of her. She was a child, an adolescent, of her time. She was strong and true to herself, while living in the confines life had given her. She had a loving father and a good friend. And she was ever so funny!
I know she still lives at age 100+ in a nursing home in California. And I wonder about her children. I sense from minor research that she is basically gone. But having read this book I can say I would’ve liked to have known her, to have been her friend, and to have shared some of her “college preparatory class” with her, and perhaps even with her mother, all while sipping a Green River soda.
ingridkeller's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
brendaclay's review against another edition
3.0
I know I must have read this memoir before, but I didn't remember much of it! Beverly Cleary grew up in Oregon during the Depression. This is a pretty unvarnished look at that time period, including her messed-up relationship with her mother. I admire her even more knowing what she's overcome!
mbhernandez's review against another edition
3.0
Fun to read about someone growing up in this neighborhood. I didn't realize she lived in the house two doors down from us!
zestquest's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
i mean, it’s beverly clearly. who doesn’t love her work?
jcschildbach's review against another edition
5.0
The autobiography of one of my favorite authors from childhood, Cleary's early life was spent on a farm in Yamhill, Oregon. Her family eventually moved to Portland, Oregon due to economic problems on the farm, only to have the Great Depression eventually take over the country and make life in the city economically challenging as well. It was definitely a different time and way of life, whether on the farm or in the city. Cleary covers her earliest memories all the way up through high school graduation, with perhaps a darker tone in many places than in most of her fiction writing (or at least the books of hers I read as a kid). Ultimately, one major theme that emerges is the relationship between mothers and daughters, Cleary experiencing increasing levels of conflict with her mother as she grows up, but also trying to find more measured strategies for dealing with her mother, and wanting just to feel loved and to have a stronger connection with her mother. This is not to say that this is an overly serious, depressing tale. It is infused with Cleary's sense of humor and warmth as she presents both the happy and unhappy memories, as well as those that, as much of life, include a mixture of fun and disappointment. As 'old fashioned' as Cleary's story might be, it kept me engaged throughout and was an entertaining read.
kittykornerlibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed Cleary's memoir very much... especially having read Emily's Runaway Imagination so many times, I could definitely recognize some of the places, people, and events that she fictionalized in that particular book! This really brought home to me what Cleary's childhood during the Depression in Oregon was like. Her family really struggled and she's honest about what they go through. They also moved a LOT when she was a child, from the farm to the city and then into different neighborhoods. Cleary's relationships with her parents appear to be cold and not very affectionate, and her mother, oh, my goodness, what a problematic relationship that was. I would read this again.
kricketa's review against another edition
3.0
It was fun to read this and spot the life experiences that inspired Cleary's books- Emily's Runaway Imagination, in particular, came to mind, along with Ramona's understanding that life is unfair and grownups make mistakes too. In spite of mistakes and setbacks, the parents Beverly wrote for her characters were often more patient and understanding than what she had in real life. Cleary's relationship with her mother made me sad, and it made me shudder when she forced teenage Beverly to go on dates with a grown man, or spend time with a lecherous uncle. Yikes. I was glad when Beverly got away from her to study in California in the end.