Brilliant Coming-of-age Novel, June 28, 2008
By J. Magoun
As one raised in a Chicago neighborhood around the same time Lichterman grew up in his, I found this coming-of-age novel very reminiscent of my own childhood and adolescence. However, to enjoy this book, one needn't be from Chicago (or Peoria, for that matter), nor a child of the same era. The scenes, characters, experiences, relationships, conversations and events in this book are vividly and brilliantly depicted in a way that will awaken fond, fearful, and passionate memories in the reader fortunate enough to acquire this gem of a book. It is a poignant, humorous and timeless tale that moves along at a satisfying pace.

I lived that!, June 26, 2008
By David Wilkins
You just know the author either lived next door or maybe on the next block `cause that's the way things were growing up in the late 30s, 40s and into the `50s. There was no TV showing "things" or a computer to "Google" what a boy needs to know. It was just day-to-day wonderment and exasperation to face. The story was so close to my younger years that I started to bet myself that he would add other happenings of my life, and he sometimes did.
Oh! The fun, anger, bitter joys of your growing years that the author brought back.

Fantastic, June 22, 2008
By Bonnie L. Northcott
Fantastic!!! I couldn't put the book down. The author has a way of making you feel everything his characters are going through.What a delightful trip through growing up when times were much less threatening. I wish this would have been published when I was growing up.

The view from the male side, June 21, 2008
By D. V. Cunningham
I realize that most people will enjoy the setting of the book, and that it will bring back memories, but this is actually a timeless subject. It's about growing up and, mainly, learning how the opposite sex -- boys -- deal with girls. But it's also learning that your parents are human. These subjects will go on till the end of time. Mark is very adept at revealing to women how their husbands and sons think. And it's nice to know that they are just as scared and inquisitive about us as we are about them.

Loved the book. June 15, 2008
By Joyce Black
It brought me back to an earlier time and I loved being there as "a fly on the wall." I found it easy to empathize with Mitchell. He gave me great insight into "coming of age" from the prospective of a boy. I wish I could have read it when I was growing up...could have let me understand that those "cool" boys were just as insecure as I. A must for us old folks and certainly a good read for everyone!