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Side-Yard Superhero: Life Lessons from an Unlikely Teacher
Although life's journey takes him far from his childhood home, Rick D. Niece, Ph.D., never forgets the people he meets and the lessons he learns as a young man growing up in picturesque DeGraff, Ohio, population 900. A small-town newspaper boy who becomes a lifelong educator himself, Dr. Niece is deeply touched by the endearing residents of DeGraff who shaped his youth, especially Bernie Jones. Confined to a wheelchair with severe cerebral palsy, Bernie becomes Ricki's friend, inspiration and superhero, opening a world of compassion, trust and adventure to them both. When he leaves DeGraff to attend Ohio State University, Rick promises Bernie that he will visit him again. Unfortunately, when Bernie s parents pass away, Bernie disappears, too, taken in by a distant relative. Forty years later, Rick learns that his boyhood friend is living in a nursing home. Returning to Ohio, he visits the never-to-be-forgotten Bernie Jones of a childhood long past and a promise finally kept. Complete book on 1 MP3 CD.
- GenresMemoirNonfiction
253 pages, Paperback
First published January 12, 2012
About the author
Rick D. Niece
2 books22 followersFollowing in his father‘s footsteps, Rick D. Niece, Ph.D., is a lifelong educator who has served as a classroom teacher, a public school administrator and a university professor, provost and president. In 1997, he was named President of the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Arkansas, and remains steadfast in his devotion to the University's success. After his retirement on July 1, 2013, he was named President Emeritus of the University of the Ozarks.
A small-town boy who has maintained his small-town values, Dr. Niece remembers his childhood with fond nostalgia. Growing up in picturesque DeGraff, Ohio, young Rickie was influenced by many endearing friends and neighbors who taught him the important life lessons that shaped his future-especially Bernie Jones. Confined to a wheelchair with severe cerebral palsy, Bernie became Rickie‘s friend, inspiration and superhero, opening a world of compassion, trust and adventure that benefitted them both. From Bernie, Rickie learned the value of unconditional acceptance, kindness and the triumph of the human spirit-lessons he took with him from his years as a newspaper boy to a career in academia.
Side-Yard Superhero is Dr. Niece‘s first book in the Fanfare for a Hometown series about his upbringing in DeGraff, an "automythography" describing his childhood in rich, vivid detail. Considering himself a "memory keeper," Niece takes readers with him on a poignant journey back in time to a safe haven of heartfelt remembrance. Vibrant, poetic and charming, his stories make DeGraff an open book that everyone who appreciates sentiment will want to read.
Dr. Niece is the recipient of multiple awards, both as an author and an educator. He and his wife, Sheree, are now retired and living in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. Rick is now able to devote more time to his writing.
A small-town boy who has maintained his small-town values, Dr. Niece remembers his childhood with fond nostalgia. Growing up in picturesque DeGraff, Ohio, young Rickie was influenced by many endearing friends and neighbors who taught him the important life lessons that shaped his future-especially Bernie Jones. Confined to a wheelchair with severe cerebral palsy, Bernie became Rickie‘s friend, inspiration and superhero, opening a world of compassion, trust and adventure that benefitted them both. From Bernie, Rickie learned the value of unconditional acceptance, kindness and the triumph of the human spirit-lessons he took with him from his years as a newspaper boy to a career in academia.
Side-Yard Superhero is Dr. Niece‘s first book in the Fanfare for a Hometown series about his upbringing in DeGraff, an "automythography" describing his childhood in rich, vivid detail. Considering himself a "memory keeper," Niece takes readers with him on a poignant journey back in time to a safe haven of heartfelt remembrance. Vibrant, poetic and charming, his stories make DeGraff an open book that everyone who appreciates sentiment will want to read.
Dr. Niece is the recipient of multiple awards, both as an author and an educator. He and his wife, Sheree, are now retired and living in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. Rick is now able to devote more time to his writing.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 28, 2012
Rick Niece’s memoir, Side-Yard Superhero: Life Lessons from an Unlikely Teacher, eloquently evokes the author’s fondest memories of childhood, drawn from his experience growing up in small-town America. It is actually the first book in a series called Fanfare for a Hometown.
Side-Yard Superhero is a charming look at how a young man’s character and values are formed through his experiences and relationships. Niece calls the style “automythography,” which he explains this way:
"We would expect the recounting of our lives to be works of nonfiction, and they are. Most importantly, they are what we think we remember and how we think we remember it. The things that have happened to us and the people we have known all become iridescent memories based upon the author’s truth and personal narrative. Those memories are an automythography."
This author’s narrative centers around his neighbors and the people he met through the paper route he held for several years. Having had a paper route or two in my time, I could definitely relate to the quirks of personality you encounter on that job. While I remember having to carefully time my collections with the arrival of monthly government support checks, I also recall the middle-class gentleman who promised a tip if if I would put the paper between his screen door and front door each day, as well as the older retired customers who gave out extra monetary gifts each Christmas.
Rick, or “Rickie” as he was known then, faithfully served his customers and developed a mutual fondness with many of them. Standing above the rest was Bernie Jones, a young man with cerebral palsy who didn’t go to school, but instead spent most of his time sitting in his yard in his wheelchair. Rickie and Bernie first bonded over Dick Tracy comics, which Rickie would read to Bernie each day upon delivering the newspaper to his house.
Although Bernie was wheelchair-bound, he was constantly coming up with ideas for adventures. On one such outing, Rickie recounts taking him along on part of his paper route, up (and then back down!) a very steep hill, luckily without anyone or anything getting hurt. As Rickie matures, we see him begin to recognize the limitations placed on Bernie by society’s unwillingness to allow him in their schools or provide access to most of the places everyone else could go without a moment’s thought.
Rick eventually leaves his small town and embarks on a career in education, only seeing Bernie once after his family also moves away from the town. Until, that is, his mother calls him many years later to say that she has learned where Bernie ended up – in a nursing home near where Rick is scheduled to attend his cousin’s wedding – and Rick is able to see his friend one more time.
Highly recommended – this is a book you will want to share with someone else as soon as you finish it!
Side-Yard Superhero is a charming look at how a young man’s character and values are formed through his experiences and relationships. Niece calls the style “automythography,” which he explains this way:
"We would expect the recounting of our lives to be works of nonfiction, and they are. Most importantly, they are what we think we remember and how we think we remember it. The things that have happened to us and the people we have known all become iridescent memories based upon the author’s truth and personal narrative. Those memories are an automythography."
This author’s narrative centers around his neighbors and the people he met through the paper route he held for several years. Having had a paper route or two in my time, I could definitely relate to the quirks of personality you encounter on that job. While I remember having to carefully time my collections with the arrival of monthly government support checks, I also recall the middle-class gentleman who promised a tip if if I would put the paper between his screen door and front door each day, as well as the older retired customers who gave out extra monetary gifts each Christmas.
Rick, or “Rickie” as he was known then, faithfully served his customers and developed a mutual fondness with many of them. Standing above the rest was Bernie Jones, a young man with cerebral palsy who didn’t go to school, but instead spent most of his time sitting in his yard in his wheelchair. Rickie and Bernie first bonded over Dick Tracy comics, which Rickie would read to Bernie each day upon delivering the newspaper to his house.
Although Bernie was wheelchair-bound, he was constantly coming up with ideas for adventures. On one such outing, Rickie recounts taking him along on part of his paper route, up (and then back down!) a very steep hill, luckily without anyone or anything getting hurt. As Rickie matures, we see him begin to recognize the limitations placed on Bernie by society’s unwillingness to allow him in their schools or provide access to most of the places everyone else could go without a moment’s thought.
Rick eventually leaves his small town and embarks on a career in education, only seeing Bernie once after his family also moves away from the town. Until, that is, his mother calls him many years later to say that she has learned where Bernie ended up – in a nursing home near where Rick is scheduled to attend his cousin’s wedding – and Rick is able to see his friend one more time.
Highly recommended – this is a book you will want to share with someone else as soon as you finish it!
May 17, 2009
The Side-Yard Superhero by Rick Niece is a delightful book that takes you back to small town living in simpler days when you knew your neighbors and you could leave your front door unlocked for the paper boy to deliver your newspaper. When Rick was just four, he moved with his family to the small town of DeGraff, Ohio (population of about 900). He found a sense of community and friendship there that solidified who he was and his experiences shaped his character. When Rick was 9 years old, he became a paperboy which were coveted jobs at this time as there were only 4 paper routes in DeGraff. He kept this job for 9 years until he left to go to college at The Ohio State University. During those 9 years, he got to know the neighbors along his route and made many special friendships. The most important one was with Bernie Jones, a young boy with cerebral palsy who was confined to a wheelchair. Bernie would wait for Rickie, as he called out to him in his side yard every day he delivered the newspaper. Rickie would read Dick Tracy and other comics to Bernie daily. I was impressed at how much compassion and empathy Rickie had as a young boy with Bernie. This was a true friendship and it may have been the only friendship that Bernie had ever had. Rickie became close to many customers over the years and they were all sad to see him turn over the route to his brother when he went off to college.
As a reader, you get the feel of this small town life during the 50's and 60's and Mr. Niece shares many stories and experiences from his childhood. I enjoyed the stories related to his years as a paperboy who delivered the paper 6 days a week accompanied by his faithful dalmatian dog, Lady. These were the days when you actually knew your paper boy and left the envelopes with your payment inside your screen door. One of my favorite stories was when Rickie and his friends took Bernie in his wheelchair to the town carnival. Bernie experienced the fun house, the food and had a blast with the kids as any kid would experience at a carnival. There was even a surprise in store for him that I won't give away.
I enjoyed this book immensely. It reminded me of my younger years growing up in the 60's and 70's when my older brother was a paper boy. We also grew up in Ohio and I still live there today. I would often help him fold and deliver the papers and accompany him on his route as he collected payment from his customers with his handy dandy coin changer. It made me wish that young children today and my own son would have opportunities and freedoms such as being a paper boy. Also, that they would have a greater sense of community and maybe even learn more compassion through these type of experiences.
As a reader, you get the feel of this small town life during the 50's and 60's and Mr. Niece shares many stories and experiences from his childhood. I enjoyed the stories related to his years as a paperboy who delivered the paper 6 days a week accompanied by his faithful dalmatian dog, Lady. These were the days when you actually knew your paper boy and left the envelopes with your payment inside your screen door. One of my favorite stories was when Rickie and his friends took Bernie in his wheelchair to the town carnival. Bernie experienced the fun house, the food and had a blast with the kids as any kid would experience at a carnival. There was even a surprise in store for him that I won't give away.
I enjoyed this book immensely. It reminded me of my younger years growing up in the 60's and 70's when my older brother was a paper boy. We also grew up in Ohio and I still live there today. I would often help him fold and deliver the papers and accompany him on his route as he collected payment from his customers with his handy dandy coin changer. It made me wish that young children today and my own son would have opportunities and freedoms such as being a paper boy. Also, that they would have a greater sense of community and maybe even learn more compassion through these type of experiences.
December 24, 2015
Summary:
“Side-Yard Superhero” is a collection of Rick’s childhood memories as he reminisces about growing up in DeGraff, Ohio. As a newspaper boy, Rick became acquainted with many of the small town’s 900 residents who each helped mold him into the man he is today. However, the most memorable of these people was Bernie Jones, a friend who forever changed the way Rick saw life.
My Thoughts:
I am so thankful that this audiobook was brought to my attention because it is a much-needed reminder of the important things in life. Niece takes us back to a peaceful time, one where children didn’t need to fear strangers, communities worked together for the greater good and neighbors helped one another without needing to be asked. It’s rather sad how as the story progressed, fear gripped my heart that something terrible would befall Rick when he was out on his own after dark or was invited into a house by adults he didn’t know too well, etc. But that just speaks to how different things were back then compared to the every-man-out-for-himself mentality that runs rampant in society today. Niece brings this slice of small-town Americana to life in such vivid detail that you simply refuse to leave at the end.
Niece’s fondness for DeGraff and its residents warms your heart, but it’s his friendship with Bernie that really does you in. Although Niece often references Bernie’s handicap - usually as an obstacle to having a carefree adventure - you don’t think of Bernie as an invalid. Instead, you see him for the person he is, a courageous, friendly and determined guy who just happens to be confined to a wheelchair. Not once do you sense Niece befriends Bernie out of guilt or that Niece is embarrassed to be seen with him. They truly enjoy each other’s company, and there are no words to express how touching it is to witness.
Actor and award-winning author Alex Cord does a phenomenal job narrating this book. His Midwestern drawl is rugged and unrefined which lends credibility to his role. It’s like you’re listening to a beloved older relative recall different things from his past. He chuckles over childhood faux-pas, pauses when caught up in emotion and looks for lessons learned in hindsight. It’s not so much a narration, but a conversation in which he wishes to impart some wisdom he’s learned along the way.
Although I’m not a huge fan of audiobooks, I cannot recommend “Side-Yard Superhero” highly enough. It is a feel-good story that will restore your faith in the goodness of people. Whether you opt to read or listen to it (and I strongly urge you to choose the audio version since one dollar from every audiobook sold will go directly to support United Cerebral Palsy) you’ll learn to fully appreciate where you are in every moment.
“Side-Yard Superhero” is a collection of Rick’s childhood memories as he reminisces about growing up in DeGraff, Ohio. As a newspaper boy, Rick became acquainted with many of the small town’s 900 residents who each helped mold him into the man he is today. However, the most memorable of these people was Bernie Jones, a friend who forever changed the way Rick saw life.
My Thoughts:
I am so thankful that this audiobook was brought to my attention because it is a much-needed reminder of the important things in life. Niece takes us back to a peaceful time, one where children didn’t need to fear strangers, communities worked together for the greater good and neighbors helped one another without needing to be asked. It’s rather sad how as the story progressed, fear gripped my heart that something terrible would befall Rick when he was out on his own after dark or was invited into a house by adults he didn’t know too well, etc. But that just speaks to how different things were back then compared to the every-man-out-for-himself mentality that runs rampant in society today. Niece brings this slice of small-town Americana to life in such vivid detail that you simply refuse to leave at the end.
Niece’s fondness for DeGraff and its residents warms your heart, but it’s his friendship with Bernie that really does you in. Although Niece often references Bernie’s handicap - usually as an obstacle to having a carefree adventure - you don’t think of Bernie as an invalid. Instead, you see him for the person he is, a courageous, friendly and determined guy who just happens to be confined to a wheelchair. Not once do you sense Niece befriends Bernie out of guilt or that Niece is embarrassed to be seen with him. They truly enjoy each other’s company, and there are no words to express how touching it is to witness.
Actor and award-winning author Alex Cord does a phenomenal job narrating this book. His Midwestern drawl is rugged and unrefined which lends credibility to his role. It’s like you’re listening to a beloved older relative recall different things from his past. He chuckles over childhood faux-pas, pauses when caught up in emotion and looks for lessons learned in hindsight. It’s not so much a narration, but a conversation in which he wishes to impart some wisdom he’s learned along the way.
Although I’m not a huge fan of audiobooks, I cannot recommend “Side-Yard Superhero” highly enough. It is a feel-good story that will restore your faith in the goodness of people. Whether you opt to read or listen to it (and I strongly urge you to choose the audio version since one dollar from every audiobook sold will go directly to support United Cerebral Palsy) you’ll learn to fully appreciate where you are in every moment.
March 21, 2009
Rick Niece is the President of The University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Arkansas. The Side-Yard Superhero is his "automythography". What’s an automythography you ask? According to Rick it is "A work of nonfiction that looks reflectively at what we think we remember and how we think we remember it; an iridescent memory based upon truth and fact."
The Side-Yard Superhero is Rick’s account of what it was like to grow up in DeGraff (a small town in Ohio) with about 900 residents. Rick (back then known as Ricky) recounts his job of paperboy (that he kept until he moved out for college) and the neighbors he met on his daily route, along with what it was like growing up in a town where you knew everyone, local Friday hangouts and the carnival coming to town.
Through Ricky we are introduced to several characters:
Fern an elderly woman who worked for a newspaper at the turn of the century and who now resided with her dog. Fern had a tendency of walking around the neighborhood in just her brassiere and pants (this was her normal everyday attire). We meet Miss Lizzie - she was somewhat of a recluse due to the loss of her fiancé during WWI but who could bake the best pumpkin loaf in town. But especially we meet Bernie Jones. Bernie Jones is a boy Ricky befriends on his paper route who is wheelchair bound due to cerebral palsy. Everyday Ricky delivered the paper - Bernie waited in the side-yard of his home so that they could sit together and read Dick Tracy comics, talk about school, life and dreams.
Each chapter is a story of its own. We learn of the Saturday that Rickie took Bernie along with him on his paper route, and the Halloween where he and Bernie helped Miss Lizzie hand out her pumpkin loaf to all the towns trick-or-treaters. Bernie gets his name of Side-Yard Superhero from dressing up like Superman that year. We also read of the year the carnival came to town and Ricky was able to ride Bernie on the teacup ride. I enjoyed reading of the stories that relate to the wonderful support and relationships Ricky and his neighbors had. It makes you think about the importance of your roots. I also found myself looking forward to reading the fantastic poems at the beginning of each chapter.
Overall, I thought this book was touching and insightful. It helps you think of the simplicity in life and the basics of what is important. It’s a story about friendships, promises and growing up. This was just such a nice, feel good read. I highly recommend it .
The Side-Yard Superhero is Rick’s account of what it was like to grow up in DeGraff (a small town in Ohio) with about 900 residents. Rick (back then known as Ricky) recounts his job of paperboy (that he kept until he moved out for college) and the neighbors he met on his daily route, along with what it was like growing up in a town where you knew everyone, local Friday hangouts and the carnival coming to town.
Through Ricky we are introduced to several characters:
Fern an elderly woman who worked for a newspaper at the turn of the century and who now resided with her dog. Fern had a tendency of walking around the neighborhood in just her brassiere and pants (this was her normal everyday attire). We meet Miss Lizzie - she was somewhat of a recluse due to the loss of her fiancé during WWI but who could bake the best pumpkin loaf in town. But especially we meet Bernie Jones. Bernie Jones is a boy Ricky befriends on his paper route who is wheelchair bound due to cerebral palsy. Everyday Ricky delivered the paper - Bernie waited in the side-yard of his home so that they could sit together and read Dick Tracy comics, talk about school, life and dreams.
Each chapter is a story of its own. We learn of the Saturday that Rickie took Bernie along with him on his paper route, and the Halloween where he and Bernie helped Miss Lizzie hand out her pumpkin loaf to all the towns trick-or-treaters. Bernie gets his name of Side-Yard Superhero from dressing up like Superman that year. We also read of the year the carnival came to town and Ricky was able to ride Bernie on the teacup ride. I enjoyed reading of the stories that relate to the wonderful support and relationships Ricky and his neighbors had. It makes you think about the importance of your roots. I also found myself looking forward to reading the fantastic poems at the beginning of each chapter.
Overall, I thought this book was touching and insightful. It helps you think of the simplicity in life and the basics of what is important. It’s a story about friendships, promises and growing up. This was just such a nice, feel good read. I highly recommend it .
April 10, 2009
When Rick Niece was four years old, his family moved to DeGraff, Ohio. DeGraff’s population hovered around 900. When he was nine, he snagged one of the four paper routes in DeGraff - a job he kept until he left for college. During those nine years, he got to know the people along his route and befriended Bernie Jones, a young man who was confined to a wheelchair because of cerebral palsy.
In The Side-Yard Superhero, Rick D. Niece recounts many of the tales of his childhood and small town living in the 1950’s and 60’s. These were the days when the paperboy delivered your paper on his bike and came by your house to collect. Rick’s dalmatian, Lady, accompanied him on his route daily. Rick would take the time to stop and read Dick Tracy to Bernie Jones every day. Rick had a great family life and was compassionate and accepting. He became so close to the customers on his route that his leaving was bittersweet for him. I think my favorite story was when Rick and Bernie helped one of Bernie’s reclusive neighbors hand out pumpkin bread one Halloween. Bernie insisted that they had to wear costumes. Bernie became Superman by tying his father’s red long johns around his neck, Rick became Clark Kent by wearing glasses and Miss Lizzie was Lois Lane by wearing a pencil behind her ear. When one young child recognized Bernie as Superman, it was enough for him. This book also contains some touching poems between some of the chapters.
I thoroughly enjoyed this delightful book. It made me long for the simpler times of yesteryear when a small town contained everything you needed and really felt like a community. It made me long for the days when children were raised to have compassion and respect for others. I cried at the end of the book when Rick found and visited Bernie in a nursing home.
In The Side-Yard Superhero, Rick D. Niece recounts many of the tales of his childhood and small town living in the 1950’s and 60’s. These were the days when the paperboy delivered your paper on his bike and came by your house to collect. Rick’s dalmatian, Lady, accompanied him on his route daily. Rick would take the time to stop and read Dick Tracy to Bernie Jones every day. Rick had a great family life and was compassionate and accepting. He became so close to the customers on his route that his leaving was bittersweet for him. I think my favorite story was when Rick and Bernie helped one of Bernie’s reclusive neighbors hand out pumpkin bread one Halloween. Bernie insisted that they had to wear costumes. Bernie became Superman by tying his father’s red long johns around his neck, Rick became Clark Kent by wearing glasses and Miss Lizzie was Lois Lane by wearing a pencil behind her ear. When one young child recognized Bernie as Superman, it was enough for him. This book also contains some touching poems between some of the chapters.
I thoroughly enjoyed this delightful book. It made me long for the simpler times of yesteryear when a small town contained everything you needed and really felt like a community. It made me long for the days when children were raised to have compassion and respect for others. I cried at the end of the book when Rick found and visited Bernie in a nursing home.
May 3, 2009
The Side-Yard Superhero is subtitled, "Life in DeGraff: An Automythography". Author Rick Niece defines an "automythography" as "A work of non-fiction that looks reflectively at what we think we remember and how we think we remember it; an iridescent memory based upon truth and fact". This charming memoir is all that and more.
Dr. Rick Niece is the President of the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Arkansas and here he describes his childhood in DeGraff, Ohio. His family moved to the small town of DeGraff when Rick was 4 and they moved 16 years later. DeGraff provided the quintessential childhood: paper routes, freedom to run and play, creeks to explore and unguarded swimming holes. It also provided life changing lessons and friendships. Chief among those was Rick's friendship with Bernie Jones, a boy confined to a wheelchair because of Cerebral Palsy. An unlikely duo, Rick and Bernie formed a strong friendship and while Rick was able to occasionally take Bernie away from his to the side-yard existence, Bernie was able to provide an appreciation-of- life-perspective for Rick.
With moments of laugh out loud hilarity alternating with tender tear-filled moments, Dr. Niece has captured the oft-forgotten charms of small-town life. Reading this delightful novel, I found myself remembering my childhood and wishing that my own boys could know the freedoms that I did. Times and circumstances change, but the Side-Yard Superhero makes you long for those innocent days past, when neighbors knew neighbors, communities came together and little boys still had paper routes.
This is the first in a trilogy and I eagerly await the sequels. Thanks to Elizabeth McCurry and Phenix & Phenix Literary Publicists for the opportunity to read this book.
Dr. Rick Niece is the President of the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Arkansas and here he describes his childhood in DeGraff, Ohio. His family moved to the small town of DeGraff when Rick was 4 and they moved 16 years later. DeGraff provided the quintessential childhood: paper routes, freedom to run and play, creeks to explore and unguarded swimming holes. It also provided life changing lessons and friendships. Chief among those was Rick's friendship with Bernie Jones, a boy confined to a wheelchair because of Cerebral Palsy. An unlikely duo, Rick and Bernie formed a strong friendship and while Rick was able to occasionally take Bernie away from his to the side-yard existence, Bernie was able to provide an appreciation-of- life-perspective for Rick.
With moments of laugh out loud hilarity alternating with tender tear-filled moments, Dr. Niece has captured the oft-forgotten charms of small-town life. Reading this delightful novel, I found myself remembering my childhood and wishing that my own boys could know the freedoms that I did. Times and circumstances change, but the Side-Yard Superhero makes you long for those innocent days past, when neighbors knew neighbors, communities came together and little boys still had paper routes.
This is the first in a trilogy and I eagerly await the sequels. Thanks to Elizabeth McCurry and Phenix & Phenix Literary Publicists for the opportunity to read this book.
June 29, 2009
Rick D. Niece recounts his time growing up in DeGraff, Ohio in The Side-Yard Superhero. In this first book of a trilogy, readers are introduced to some of the colorful characters of Niece's childhood, including a young man named Bernie Jones who is wheelchair bound due to cerebral palsy. Rick and Bernie become friends when Rick takes time on his paper route to really get to know Bernie.
I very much enjoyed getting to know the people of DeGraff through Rick Niece's memories. Each of the people that the reader meets along the way had some sort of impact on Niece's life and helped shape him into the man he is today. The stories flow easily, as if the reader is actually listening to Niece remember. He easily conveys the warm feelings that he continues to carry for these people and this town.
Interspersed with the stories are poems. These poems demonstrate strongly how large of an impact these people had on Niece's life as he searches for some universal truths or meanings in the experiences they shared.
The Side-Yard Superhero is a wonderful written memoir and a fantastic beginning to a trilogy. I am looking forward to the next two installments and learning more about the folks in DeGraff.
I very much enjoyed getting to know the people of DeGraff through Rick Niece's memories. Each of the people that the reader meets along the way had some sort of impact on Niece's life and helped shape him into the man he is today. The stories flow easily, as if the reader is actually listening to Niece remember. He easily conveys the warm feelings that he continues to carry for these people and this town.
Interspersed with the stories are poems. These poems demonstrate strongly how large of an impact these people had on Niece's life as he searches for some universal truths or meanings in the experiences they shared.
The Side-Yard Superhero is a wonderful written memoir and a fantastic beginning to a trilogy. I am looking forward to the next two installments and learning more about the folks in DeGraff.
September 20, 2012
I enjoyed the magical depiction of life in a small town and the special friendship and bond that blossoms between what some might view, especially at the time, as an unlikely pair. Reminded me that the places, people, and experiences of those first 18 years really have a lasting impression on our lives and shape us more than most of us may think. At times the writing leaves a bit to be desired and the story itself drags.
October 31, 2016
Great storytelling
When I started reading this book it was more out of curiosity. However, while the title suggested a comedy, it was a very heartwarming story. I felt as if I was there delivering papers and interacting with the wonderful people of DeGraff. Ricky and Bernie's friendship brought tears to my eyes. We would all benefit from the love and respect they showed each other. Loved this book.
When I started reading this book it was more out of curiosity. However, while the title suggested a comedy, it was a very heartwarming story. I felt as if I was there delivering papers and interacting with the wonderful people of DeGraff. Ricky and Bernie's friendship brought tears to my eyes. We would all benefit from the love and respect they showed each other. Loved this book.
August 4, 2009
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November 5, 2009
Memories are much sweeter remembered, than when they were experienced. But every time you revisit them, they help build your character a little bit more.
August 22, 2016
Heartwarming
Heartwarming story of a small town newspaper boy and the relationship with his customers, especially the boy in a wheelchair
Heartwarming story of a small town newspaper boy and the relationship with his customers, especially the boy in a wheelchair
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews