Don't Be Give Up
"My Grandma's indomitable spirit strutted through my life when I was a child in the 1940s. If I complained that a job was too hard, she'd scold me in broken English, "Don't be give up." This could have been the motto for Americans during World War II.
Seen through the eyes of a young girl, history and narrative merge to explore the war on the Home Front. At first the war is exciting for Shirley and her sisters as they play spies, war games with icicles, buy War Bond stamps, and "can" dirt for winter mud pies.
The war becomes more serious when every Christmas is marked by another empty chair at the table. Shirley's uncles go into the army and her aunt leaves home to marry a soldier.
Everything in Shirley's daily life is affected by the war from the rationing of food to the news reports that give her nightmares. Worse than that are long silences from her uncles. Anxiety is heightened when three soldiers from Crested Butte are killed.
Told with humor and pathos, "DON'T BE GIVE UP" is an important reminder of the sacrifices made on all fronts to protect America's freedom.
Seen through the eyes of a young girl, history and narrative merge to explore the war on the Home Front. At first the war is exciting for Shirley and her sisters as they play spies, war games with icicles, buy War Bond stamps, and "can" dirt for winter mud pies.
The war becomes more serious when every Christmas is marked by another empty chair at the table. Shirley's uncles go into the army and her aunt leaves home to marry a soldier.
Everything in Shirley's daily life is affected by the war from the rationing of food to the news reports that give her nightmares. Worse than that are long silences from her uncles. Anxiety is heightened when three soldiers from Crested Butte are killed.
Told with humor and pathos, "DON'T BE GIVE UP" is an important reminder of the sacrifices made on all fronts to protect America's freedom.
READER REVIEWS
"Warmth, humanity, and decency shine out on every page. The author tells this story with love and affection for her family. Their love of country shines out in each differently, but is a common theme to all."Bill Silveira
Superior Court Judge
"Hickman hones in on the pain, joy and determination of a small community dealing with the ravages of World War II. The reader is taken on a family journey to relive the way of life forged by the war."DON'T BE GIVE UP" is packed with human feeling. It's a must read."
"Shirley Hickman captures the emotion and sacrifice of the Home Front during World War II. The book gives an innocent girl's view of a world held in the grips of adult insanity."Anita Stackhouse-Hite
Journalist
"This is a must read for all those who grew up during World War II. No matter what part of the country you were living in, DON'T BE GIVE UP will flood you with memories. If you were born later, it will show you what it was like growing up during the war years while you enjoy the well-told story."Jim Lessenger, M.D.
Author of Macon's File
Marilyn Meredith
Crabtree Mystery Series, Golden Eagle Press