Crackers and Milk

by Arlene Nelson, Char Valters (Editor)

Sarah Richards, the oldest of five children growing up in the early 20th Century rural Midwest, struggles to hold her family together as she and her three siblings attempt to survive illness, abandonment, abuse, negelct, hunger, institutionalization, and loss. In Crackers and Milk, Arlene Nelson retells her mother's amazing story of an unusually tarnished childhood, as her mother told it to her many years ago. Readers of all ages will not be able to put this book down, nor will they ever forget the stength, determination, loyalty and resilience of this extradorinaty girl.

Genres: Memoir, Book Club, Nonfiction

128 pages, Paperback

First published December 8, 2006

Reviews

[Tori Tecken · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really moving, haunting memoir about a young girl brought to an orphanage in early 1900s Minnesota, the same institution that housed my great-grandmother and her siblings. This is not a story for the faint-hearted. It is truly heartbreaking that these children went through so much at the hands of people who were meant to protect them.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good memoir. It is told by the daughter, but as stories told to her by her mother. It was sad what Sally went through and amazing how she persevered and, in the end, made a good life. 4/5stars.

[Dee Toomey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. A true story of a hard life and a spirit that couldn't be broken. There are moments of gladness and moments of despair. There are times you get so angry at some of the people you just want to slug them and you want to hug and love others. A great accomplishment in relating the story of on persons journey through life.

[Laura Aase · Rating 5 out of 5]

A different perspective from the orphanage tour! Arlene is writing her mother’s memories of her childhood . Abandoned by her mother at about 7 yrs old and abused by her father - sexually and physically - she remembers the good and bad times of her childhood. When she’s about 11 she and her siblings, ( Violet Who is deaf and also the child of her dad and her “simple” aunt, Billy who is epileptic, and Edythe ) are rounded up in the Brainerd area , since they had been living alone for 2 years and brought to the Ophanage in Fairibault. Violet went to a school for the deaf and was treated well. But the orphanage was a horrible place for the other girls. Beaten and humiliated until she was sent to be a servant for a farm family in Kenyon MN. Then another family. She told horrific stories of kids locked in a tower for misbehaving and worse were the kids chained in a tunnel beneath the kitchen. One boys legs were broken and not set and another girl died in childbirth (she was black) with no one helping her and a teacher got her pregnant. Rather horrifying!

[Stefanie Kittelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Packed in the minimal pages of this book is a true story of heartbreak, trauma, abuse, grief, and loss experienced by young siblings in the early 1900’s. A riveting, yet relatable first person account takes the reader alongside Sarah (Sally) and her siblings as they navigate survival in a cruel world! I read the book cover to cover in one evening and was immensely moved by Sally’s courage & determination to survive!!!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartbreaking true tale of MN orphans and how bad the system failed children. Important to know and discuss as we are becoming aware of the Native schools. Children were a burden in the past and had value merely in their labor. Now we have swung 180 degrees were we can pick when to have one child and what color eyes they will have and pour ourselves into being helicopter parents.

[Therese Dotray-Tulloch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Biography about Arlenes mother told in her mother's voice relaying the tragic childhood she endured living in Minnesota with an alcoholic, abusive Dad, then alone in the woods, at the Owatonna Orphanage, then indentured out as a slave. Very moving.

[Lori Eaton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok. Stories of 1900a

[Gregg N · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking!

[degelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This kind of personal history is a rare find. In the early 20th century people didn't discuss this kind of hardship and abuse at all, opting to keep it to themselves because of how traumatic it was. Since then the civil rights of children have progressed dramatically and these previous generations have passed away without processing their pain or sharing their stories.

Because of this accounts like "Crackers and Milk" are crucial. They are reminders of why those rights needed to be fought for in the first place, particularly regarding child protection and orphanages.

What happens to the four Richards siblings is one story out of thousands like it, handed down from mother to daughter without an ounce of self-pity or sensationalism. The details are absolutely devastating: infanticide, abandonment, violence, alcoholism, abuse, neglect, hunger and death are on almost every page. So is the optimism, hope and resilience of these children fighting to survive. You won't understand it until you start reading, but that is what keeps you turning the pages.

If you finish it, you will be humbled. Definitely worth the read. As slim as this book is, it really packs a punch.

[Linda Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

A glimpse into one woman's life from her time with her drunken, abusive father to her removal to an orphanage. I'm not sure which one was worse after reading her account. With everything she went through, it was amazing to read how she kept her positive attitude, her humanity, and eventually was rewarded with a better life.

[Pam Herrmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this memoir. How awful for four kids under the age of 10 to live in a cabin in the woods for 2 years alone without anyone even noticing! And the horrible things that happened to them at the orphanage. How sad that someone has to spend any part of their life under those conditions.

[Dawn Patton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! The author of this memoir evoked the emotions of her mother so well I felt the pain, small joys and sadness as though it was my family member. The horrors these children endured is remarkable. You need a strong countenance for this memoir. Very good book. I say a must read.

[Corrine Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I met this lady, have a signed & numbered copy..what a great story!!

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing story of growing up under horrible conditions. Words cannot describe.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! I found it inspiring to say the least. The story about the little girl and her family and all the troubles they went through really touched my heart.

[Debbie Avila Renne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is told by the daughter who recalls stories her mother told of her life full of sorrow, loss and physical abuse.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing childhood of abuse and neglect.

[Janene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Club pick December 2016 (Sandy)

[Judie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the books I bought after visiting the MN State Public School for Dependent and Neglected Children in Owatonna.
Excellent book by the daughter of a woman who lived there.

[Shelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

DEPRESSING! What kids go thru, in the past & today is criminal! My book group also read THE BOY FROM C-11 written by another former inmate.

My score of 3 stars is for the writing.