Now celebrating its 25th year in print, this powerful and moving memoir by acclaimed poet and anthologist Lee Bennett Hopkins tells the story of his challenging childhood through 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 is a poet and anthologist and has been 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. View titles by Lee Bennett Hopkins
Winner of the Christopher Award
School Library Journal Best Books of the Year
New York Public Library Best Books for the Teen Age
ALA/YALSA Best Books for Young Adults
NCSS CBC Notable Trade Book

Golden Kite Honor Book

★"This autobiographical cycle of poems is a rare gift, a careful exploration of one life that illumines the lives of all who read it." —School Library Journal, starred review

About

Now celebrating its 25th year in print, this powerful and moving memoir by acclaimed poet and anthologist Lee Bennett Hopkins tells the story of his challenging childhood through 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.

Author

Lee Bennett Hopkins is a poet and anthologist and has been 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. View titles by Lee Bennett Hopkins

Praise

Winner of the Christopher Award
School Library Journal Best Books of the Year
New York Public Library Best Books for the Teen Age
ALA/YALSA Best Books for Young Adults
NCSS CBC Notable Trade Book

Golden Kite Honor Book

★"This autobiographical cycle of poems is a rare gift, a careful exploration of one life that illumines the lives of all who read it." —School Library Journal, starred review

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