Decatur Stories: The 1950s with Judy Book two in the Reaching for Life Series This book is filled with both fun and charming tales of a pre-teen and teenaged girl with her Reach family of seven living in North Georgia. Each chapter is a short story with dialogue both humorous and touching, all based on her actual life. Perhaps just a pinch of salt is added here and there for flavor. A touch of humor, a bit of reality, and a lot of family love. She finds her first friends at Fifth Avenue Elementary, then increases her circle of friends in Decatur High School. Family values were taught, and lessons of love were learned.
The Reach family was large, colorful, and interesting from her Revenue Agent father, to her strong -spirited and loving mother. Judy was the youngest child with three active brothers and one sister. There was never a dull moment when recounting her childhood, but there was always love.
Judy’s wants her words to be a gift to her family, friends, and everyone so that these memories will not be lost, but remembered with warmth, love, and humor. Each of these different people and personalities hold a thread that weaves through her diverse and colorful stories. ‘Reading this book, we get a strong sense of the author’s family, the Reach Family, with all their ups and downs, mannerisms, and endearing traits. A well written, thoughtful book filled with humor. The author writes from the love of her family and friends which she deeply feels. MJ
Two things I especially like about this book. The first is the gentle, but persistent humor, woven into the story. It goes well with her loving style and makes the book sparkle.The second is the bulleted lists that she includes to summarize characteristics of the era–movies, TV shows, music, even slang expressions and more. These are thorough and fun lists; everyone will find something new in them. Mary S Anyone who has a family will find their own fond childhood memories.
