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A Kid Grows in Brooklyn: Memories of a Magical Time

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Step into a world filled with the magical kidhood and enchanting charm of Brooklyn through the eyes of Art Shulman in his captivating memoir, "A Kid Grows in Brooklyn."

This isn't just any memoir – Art Shulman, author, and lively octogenarian, creates a time capsule that transports you to the most magical time and place to grow up in. Whether you're a Brooklyn native or just curious about its legendary allure, Art's journey from childhood to 18 is an adventure you can't miss. His tales are a delightful blend of humor and poignancy, crafted to keep you turning pages with a smile.

Join Art as he revisits iconic landmarks like Coney Island and savors childhood flavors, from egg creams to the joyous game of punchball to the Brooklyn Dodgers. Each chapter unfolds a new facet of Brooklyn life, painting a vivid picture of family, friends, and the simple pleasures of a bygone era.

"A Kid Grows in Brooklyn" is a treasure trove of memories. It's more than a memoir; it's a celebration of life's small moments and big adventures.

Grab your copy of "A Kid Grows in Brooklyn" and embark on an unforgettable journey through Brooklyn that will leave you laughing, reflecting, and cherishing every page.

Art, a proud native Brooklynite, has written a bunch of books, all very different from this one, including the previously I’m Wrong, I’m Sorry, I Love You!, Tyrus Carson’s Ride, and Barnaby Brain. He’s also known for his plays, over 100, including 26 produced full-length plays and many one-acts. He writes comedies, dramas, and their hybrid — dramedies. Art graduated with a Ph.D. in Psychology and was called Professor for the 20 years he taught at California State University, Northridge. He has two daughters, three step-children, and three grandsons and lives in Los Angeles, California with his wife Rebecca. But a big part of his heart still resides in magical Brooklyn.

330 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 18, 2024

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Art Shulman

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5 stars
13 (25%)
4 stars
23 (44%)
3 stars
8 (15%)
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6 (11%)
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2 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Profile Image for Harriet.
115 reviews11 followers
March 3, 2024
Enjoyed reading this book written by Art Shulman. Each chapter describes a childhood memory, followed with words of wisdom. Will definitely follow this author.
Profile Image for Sylvia Jacobs.
207 reviews34 followers
September 30, 2024
Book Title:
A Kid Grows In Brooklyn:
Memories of a Magical Time


Author:
Art Shulman

Publication Date:
Feb 19, 2024

Publisher:
Munn Avenue Press

Genre:

Parenting & Families Humor
Family Life Fiction

Print Length:

328 pages

Book Reviewed By Sylvia J.

Let me start off by saying “ You can take the boy out of Brooklyn, but you can’t take Brooklyn out of the boy.”
This quote was in the book and boy is that true.
I grew up as a child in Brooklyn just like the author did.
This book is like a slice of home to me as it brings me back to my own Brooklyn days and its memories. I moved away, but Brooklyn will always be in me.

My grandmother and father used to read the Yiddish newspaper called the Fourovitz just like the author's grandmother. So many beautiful memories are coming back to me because of this author's book and I thank him for that.

I too had an uncle Charlie and my grandmother on my father's side seemed so similar to the author’s  grandmother in terms of personality and how she dressed. She never showed her emotions but I knew she loved me.


The author had an uncle named Herman and my grandfather on my father's side was named Herman. There are so many similarities. It’s just unbelievable.


When you grow up in Brooklyn, you think it’s a magical place like no other. The author certainly thought so at the time. I did as well. Wow, this book has me reminiscing already of the good old days!

This book is about the author's memories of growing up in Boro Park, Brooklyn as a child. He lived in a six-story apartment building. His family consisted of him, his younger brother, Davey, his mother Ethel and his father Al.

Anyone that’s ever lived or visited Boro Park knows that everything you need can be found within a five block radius.
They have it all in their own community. They have schools, many blocks of various types of stores for shopping, synagogues, a hospital, restaurants of many different types and the list goes on and on. It is just amazing.

From the beginning one will love the humor the author threw into the book. He will have you laughing and wanting more.

What I really liked about this book is that after every section there’s a life lesson. There could be life lessons for the author, life lessons for the reader, or perhaps both. These life lessons helped the author grow up and maybe it’ll help you grow up too. I certainly love the life lessons. It reminds me of the morals at the end of Aesop's Fables.

For me, this book was a delight. I felt like a kid in a candy store.


If you live in Brooklyn or have ever lived in Brooklyn, you will love this book. If you want to find out about Boro Park Brooklyn this is the book for you. 

If you want a good laugh, this book is recommended for you.
I can’t express how much I enjoyed this book. The writing in it is so interesting and there isn’t a dull moment in the book. It is quite a page Turner. This book has it all. One will not want to put it down as I certainly didn’t. This author's style of writing is definitely one I appreciate.

Thank you so much for bringing me back to my childhood. This book will definitely let you know that Brooklyn people definitely have much in common. 

This book was magical for me. This book is quite an enjoyable book of family, youth, friendship and more. it is meaningful and will touch your soul.

This book will definitely lift one's spirit. 

To me, it is one of the best books, it has brought me so much joy and to that I say, thank you!

Art’s journey from childhood to 18 is one adventure you don’t want to miss.

Even if you’re not from Brooklyn, you will enjoy A Kid Grows In Brooklyn.


Five stars is my rating of this book.











Profile Image for Linda Mundorff.
Author 2 books6 followers
August 29, 2024
The author has written a compilation of his childhood experiences, which included friends, family, classmates, and his close-knit neighborhood. For him, it was the 1940s and fifties, in the Borough Park section of Brooklyn, in New York. For me, a fellow New Yorker, it was the 1960s and seventies. His stories cross generational lines, and they are very similar to my own experiences. Growing up in Brooklyn was truly magical. We didn’t have computers, cell phones, or video games and we found ourselves having the time of our lives just being active with our friends. Kids didn’t have to schedule play dates, we just walked to our friend’s apartment and knocked on the door or if too lazy to traverse the many flights up, we would yell from outside to their open window.
The author spoke of his love of, “punchball,” for me it was handball or paddle ball. The author spoke of playing outside in the alley between apartment buildings and sometimes in the gutter (street) and how one of his friends missed getting hit by a car. Yeah, I don’t know how we survived half the nonsense we did back then! The constant pranks, and especially the prank phone calls, which were made so much easier because we didn’t have caller ID!
His recollections were humorous, often making me laugh aloud as I remembered my own similar childhood memories. It was such a wonderful time to be a kid, and it doesn’t matter if you grew up in New York , California or somewhere in between. His stories will put a smile on your face and trigger memories of your own youth. At the end of each story, he mentioned the life lesson he learned from that experience, which I found meaningful and often touching. A feel-good book about a time lost to history, and one I wish all children could have the opportunity to experience.
Profile Image for Stacey Keith.
172 reviews15 followers
May 21, 2025
A Kid Grows in Brooklyn: Memories of a Magical Time by Art Shulman is a heartfelt and nostalgic journey through the author’s childhood in Brooklyn. Shulman’s vivid storytelling paints a charming picture of a bygone era, filled with warmth, humor, and relatable adventures. The book captures the essence of community and family, making it a delightful read for anyone who enjoys memoirs or stories about growing up. While some parts may feel overly sentimental, the genuine emotion and rich details keep you engaged. A solid 3.7-star read that leaves you smiling.
84 reviews4 followers
March 9, 2024
Not Bad For An Adult

I enjoyed this book about the author's childhood. Some of the funny parts were not so funny... which made me laugh anyway. I am sorry he doesn't practice his Jewish religion, but that is between him and God. I can imagine being in his classroom... I think I would have loved him for my teacher.
7 reviews
May 9, 2024
silly rambling and pointless

I grew up in Brooklyn as well and was looking forward to reading some interesting, even funny, maybe poignant aspects of life back then but sadly none of that appears in this book
Profile Image for Peter Faur.
Author 5 books4 followers
September 27, 2025
We didn't all grow (up) in Brooklyn, but we all grew up. Art Shulman's recollections of his childhood will surely spur recollections of your own! This is a wonderful, nostalgic read that celebrates Brooklyn, childhood, and family.
1 review
March 7, 2024
A delightful little vacation into my own childhood! Thank you for taking me on this trip to my old neighborhood of memories !

I too grew up in Borough Park, Brooklyn at the same time as the author. I loved the vignette of Lo-weez alley and 13th Avenue. I suffered the same rites of passage and many of the same experiences. Thank you, Art, for this little gift of time and memory. It was a delightful little sojourn.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews

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