Now celebrating its 25th year in print, this powerful and moving memoir by acclaimed poet and anthologist Lee Bennett Hopkins reflects on his complex childhood through a series of poignant poems.

Growing up in the 1950s, young Lee Bennett Hopkins navigated the painful realities of his parents' divorce, an unstable home life, and a struggle to make ends meet. Amidst these hardships, he found solace in the memory of his beloved grandmother and held onto his dream of becoming a writer. Through these deeply emotional autobiographical poems, Hopkins vividly captures the raw feelings, experiences, and dreams of a boy enduring a turbulent time in his life.

Lee Bennett Hopkins was a poet and anthologist who was honored with the Christopher Award, the University of Southern Mississippi's Medallion for "lasting contributions to children's literature," and the NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children.

Growing up in the 1950s, young Lee Bennett Hopkins faced the painful events of his parents' divorce, an unstable homelife, and a hand-to-mouth existence. Through it all, he clung to the memory of his beloved grandmother and his hope of becoming a writer. In these emotionally charged autobiographical poems, the author captures a boy's feelings, experiences, and aspirations in the tumultuous period of his life.