What do you think?
Rate this book
Dog Bone Soup: A Boomer's Journey
DOG BONE SOUP, A Boomer's Journey A Novel by Bette A.Stevens Historical/Literary Fiction//Adventure/1950s & 60s/Coming of Age/Families & Communities/New England/Poverty/Prejudice/Bullying BOOMERS CALL THEM The Good Old Days'-the 1950s and 60s, when America was flying high. An era when the 'All American Family' lived a life filled with hopes and dreams come true. Shawn Daniels isn't your typical American boomer boy. Shawn is a poor boy and his father is the town drunk. Shawn's family has no indoor plumbing or running water, but they do have a TV. After all, Dad deserves the rewards of his labor. Meanwhile, Shawn and his brother Willie keep the firewood cut and stacked, haul in water for cooking and cleaning and do all that needs to be done around the ramshackle place they call home. But when chores are done, these resourceful kids set out on boundless adventures that don't cost a dime. On a bitter New England day in 1964, Shawn is on his way to boot camp to soak up the southern sun and strike out on a new adventure-in a place where it's possible to make his dreams come true. Find out where this Boomer's been and where he's going in DOG BONE SOUP.
216 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 12, 2015
4 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Bette A. Stevens
5 books154 followersInspired by nature and human nature, author Bette A. Stevens is a retired elementary and middle school teacher, a wife, mother of two and grandmother of five. Stevens lives in Central Maine with her husband on their 37-acre farmstead where she enjoys writing, gardening, walking and reveling in the beauty of nature. She advocates for children and families, for childhood literacy and for the conservation of monarch butterflies (milkweed is the only plant that monarch caterpillars will eat).
Bette A. Stevens is the author of award-winning picture book AMAZING MATILDA; home/school resource, The Tangram Zoo and Word Puzzles Too!; and PURE TRASH, the short story prequel to her debut novel, DOG BONE SOUP.
Bette A. Stevens is the author of award-winning picture book AMAZING MATILDA; home/school resource, The Tangram Zoo and Word Puzzles Too!; and PURE TRASH, the short story prequel to her debut novel, DOG BONE SOUP.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
February 10, 2015
Dog Bone Soup is a story of the coming of age of a young boy, his tough upbringing and many sacrifices he has to make during his childhood. This story takes place in a New England town back in the 50's and 60's. Life wasn't easy for Shawn Daniels since he was the oldest child and thrust into being the man of the house when his father was thrown out by his mother after many drunken bouts. Shawn and his brother, Willie, had to help their mother with their two younger sisters, chop wood, bring water from the well and work odd jobs just to help their mother make ends meet. The boys had to sacrifice their childhood in order to survive. You must read this wonderful story to find out how meaningful the title is to the story.
This is a touching and emotional story that will stay with you for a long time. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend it. Bette Stevens is a talented storyteller and I look forward to more entertaining reads from her.
This is a touching and emotional story that will stay with you for a long time. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend it. Bette Stevens is a talented storyteller and I look forward to more entertaining reads from her.
July 14, 2020
Shawn Daniels is the oldest of a dirt poor family and his days are full of cutting wood, hauling water, caring for his younger siblings and trying to keep up his grades at school.
Compounded by a drunkard for a father who makes the family a laughing stock, Shawn dreams of escaping the doldrums of his day-to-day existence.
It’s not all bad though. Shawn and his brother, Willie, go on many adventures together; biking, fishing, sneaking apples from the neighbors field, and learning to milk cows so his family doesn’t go without. He picks up odd jobs and soon knows how to do a wide variety of life skills.
Shawn’s strength of will and ingenuity shine throughout this heartwarming tale. Set in the 50’s the vernacular takes us back to ‘simpler’ times when work was long and hard for little payment and indoor plumbing was for the rich.
This is a wonderfully told story that will leave you laughing in places, and gasping in others!
Compounded by a drunkard for a father who makes the family a laughing stock, Shawn dreams of escaping the doldrums of his day-to-day existence.
It’s not all bad though. Shawn and his brother, Willie, go on many adventures together; biking, fishing, sneaking apples from the neighbors field, and learning to milk cows so his family doesn’t go without. He picks up odd jobs and soon knows how to do a wide variety of life skills.
Shawn’s strength of will and ingenuity shine throughout this heartwarming tale. Set in the 50’s the vernacular takes us back to ‘simpler’ times when work was long and hard for little payment and indoor plumbing was for the rich.
This is a wonderfully told story that will leave you laughing in places, and gasping in others!
June 8, 2020
“Dog Bone Soup: A Boomer's Journey” is an engaging, heartwarming, coming of age story taking place in the 1950’s and 1960’s. I vividly remember this time period where we also had one of the first televisions on our block.
The protagonist in this story is Shawn Daniels, the eldest of four children. He grows up in a poor, dysfunctional family with an alcoholic father. Many of us can relate to how alcohol addiction affects people close to us or even within our families.
Shawn’s character is inspirational in how he thrives and succeeds despite many challenges and obstacles in his life.
Bette Stevens expertly weaves “Dog Bone Soup” throughout the story. Shawn’s Mother, Henrietta, displays strength of character, persistence and deeply rooted work ethic keeping food on the table and making a home for her children. The food is often soup made from the leftover bones from the butcher. Henrietta does whatever it takes to raise her children, modelling values and expecting the best from them.
Bette Stevens also shows us how love and nurturing can come from many different people throughout a child’s life.
“Dog Bone Soup” is uplifting and enjoyable. I found myself often smiling, reading about the children’s fun games and antics.
Bette Stevens does an excellent job capturing the time period. The characters are timeless and relatable.
“Dog Bone Soup” is a beautifully written and entertaining story. I found this book captivating from the beginning to the end.
I highly recommend “Dog Bone Soup” for teens and adults of all ages!
The protagonist in this story is Shawn Daniels, the eldest of four children. He grows up in a poor, dysfunctional family with an alcoholic father. Many of us can relate to how alcohol addiction affects people close to us or even within our families.
Shawn’s character is inspirational in how he thrives and succeeds despite many challenges and obstacles in his life.
Bette Stevens expertly weaves “Dog Bone Soup” throughout the story. Shawn’s Mother, Henrietta, displays strength of character, persistence and deeply rooted work ethic keeping food on the table and making a home for her children. The food is often soup made from the leftover bones from the butcher. Henrietta does whatever it takes to raise her children, modelling values and expecting the best from them.
Bette Stevens also shows us how love and nurturing can come from many different people throughout a child’s life.
“Dog Bone Soup” is uplifting and enjoyable. I found myself often smiling, reading about the children’s fun games and antics.
Bette Stevens does an excellent job capturing the time period. The characters are timeless and relatable.
“Dog Bone Soup” is a beautifully written and entertaining story. I found this book captivating from the beginning to the end.
I highly recommend “Dog Bone Soup” for teens and adults of all ages!
February 15, 2015
What a delightful story of a young boy growing up dirt poor. Dinner, many times, was dog bone soup. But the children still had fun. They made their own fun. They grew up together. So much I would like to say but don't want to spoil the story for you.
This is an absolutely perfect book for a middle grade boy, but reads well for a grandmother as well. It illustrates that a good book can be entertaining without foul language or sex.
I fell in love with Shawn. As a grandmother, I think I would have wanted to take him and hold him and protect him from his own life. He is such a good boy who did so much to help his mum and family. This book also shows how much words can hurt a child. Children get made fun of because they are poor or different all the time. That really does impact a child.
I highly recommend this book. It is a great weekend read.
This is an absolutely perfect book for a middle grade boy, but reads well for a grandmother as well. It illustrates that a good book can be entertaining without foul language or sex.
I fell in love with Shawn. As a grandmother, I think I would have wanted to take him and hold him and protect him from his own life. He is such a good boy who did so much to help his mum and family. This book also shows how much words can hurt a child. Children get made fun of because they are poor or different all the time. That really does impact a child.
I highly recommend this book. It is a great weekend read.
July 30, 2015
What a delightful read! I enjoyed this wonderful coming of age story of Shawn. I can't imagine having to live with an alcoholic dad, even though I know a little about addiction. I could relate to Shawn and the story in that way as I had a turbulent childhood myself. But while reading this story, it brought back some positive childhood memories of my own. Like Shawn, finding ways to pass the time with other little kids playing 'Red Rover, Red Light Green Light,' and more.
Games and fun that didn't cost a thing! Bette did a bang up job with Dog Bone Soup! Well written, enjoyable and will make you laugh and cry! When a book can do all that? You know it's a great book.
I highly recommend it!
Author, Catherine Lyon
Games and fun that didn't cost a thing! Bette did a bang up job with Dog Bone Soup! Well written, enjoyable and will make you laugh and cry! When a book can do all that? You know it's a great book.
I highly recommend it!
Author, Catherine Lyon
February 6, 2015
Anyone who grew up in rural America in the 1950s and 1960s will remember scenes from their childhood as they read this book. I saw a little bit of myself in Shawn and as I read the book and images from growing up in rural Maine back then flashed by quite often. This is a very good story for those who like the simpleness of those days and reading about gutsy kids who aren't afraid to deal with tough times and circumstances in creative ways.
July 3, 2017
Dog Bone Soup by Bette A. Stevens is not just the story of Shawn and his struggle to get a decent life, it is a famiy saga of adventures, sacrifices, togetherness and resilience. It is inspiring as well as poignant, a rare combination to create. Henrietta emerges to be a wonderful mother, giving all the care and attention to her kids though she had zero moral support from her self-centered and alcolohic husband, more interested in watching T.V. than looking after his own children.
The story is set in the 50’s when mocassins could be freely used to discipline children! Despite the challenges of poverty and meagre food, nobody has any complaints except Mr.Daniel. Life was hard and Shawn being the eldest in the family suffers the most yet he stands like a rock when he is old enough to handle his father’s violence.
A streak of thin light shimmers through out the story, assuring the reader that struggles bring the best out of us. The hope never dies, as kind people keep trickling in to provide work and life-time lessons to Shawn and Willie. Characterisation has been handled very well and one person who stands out is Mrs Ashley, an old lady with the heart of gold, a book lover who fed the poor boys, read stories to them and even taught them how to use a typewriter when they accompanied their uncle to help in cutting the trees.
This book is relevant for the present generation for two reasons – one it acquaints them with history and the way people strived to wriggle out of domestic violence, lack of father's love and tough situations. Two, how comfortable life is today for children with no fears of moccasins!
The story is set in the 50’s when mocassins could be freely used to discipline children! Despite the challenges of poverty and meagre food, nobody has any complaints except Mr.Daniel. Life was hard and Shawn being the eldest in the family suffers the most yet he stands like a rock when he is old enough to handle his father’s violence.
A streak of thin light shimmers through out the story, assuring the reader that struggles bring the best out of us. The hope never dies, as kind people keep trickling in to provide work and life-time lessons to Shawn and Willie. Characterisation has been handled very well and one person who stands out is Mrs Ashley, an old lady with the heart of gold, a book lover who fed the poor boys, read stories to them and even taught them how to use a typewriter when they accompanied their uncle to help in cutting the trees.
This book is relevant for the present generation for two reasons – one it acquaints them with history and the way people strived to wriggle out of domestic violence, lack of father's love and tough situations. Two, how comfortable life is today for children with no fears of moccasins!
May 16, 2020
Novelist Bette Stevens’ Dog Bone Soup is like “Chicken Soup for the Soul,” nurturing and heartwarming. Though protagonist Shawn Daniels grew up in a dysfunctional home with an alcoholic dad and longsuffering mother, he also had a Mrs. Ashley who championed him, and an indomitable spirit that must have been written somewhere in his genetic code.
The Daniels family live in a ramshackle house without indoor plumbing or enough groceries in the pantry. Yet, the dark passages of hardship are tempered with a tone of optimism. Lines like these capture Shawn’s ability to find pleasure in the everyday: “Us boys were still in stitches—laughin’, hollerin’ and jumpin’ up and down—when we spotted Mrs. Nettle. It was funnier than watching a Laurel and Hardy show. There she was running up that road—bare footed, curlers dangling and her housecoat blowing every which way. She grabbed ahold of Ben by the hair and started slappin’ him around and cussin’ up a storm. That’s when Willie and me and Buddy shot off like bullets.”
Readers will root for the main character because they have come to care about him. And perhaps because he is bullied at school and deprived of the necessities at home, we tend to excuse Shawn’s stealing apples from his neighbors or sneaking around milking a farmer’s cows before sunrise. Early on, we understand that Shawn wants a better life for himself down the road, which may include college or the military.
The dialogue and depiction of the era are outstanding, the entire story told from Shawn’s point of view. It’s not hard to believe that the novelist is a former middle-school teacher who understands the heart and soul of a boy – and the era of the 1950s and 60s in which the novel is cast. I can imagine author Stevens may have had a young man similar to Shawn in her classroom at some point in her career. A great coming-of-age novel I can recommend for all ages.
The Daniels family live in a ramshackle house without indoor plumbing or enough groceries in the pantry. Yet, the dark passages of hardship are tempered with a tone of optimism. Lines like these capture Shawn’s ability to find pleasure in the everyday: “Us boys were still in stitches—laughin’, hollerin’ and jumpin’ up and down—when we spotted Mrs. Nettle. It was funnier than watching a Laurel and Hardy show. There she was running up that road—bare footed, curlers dangling and her housecoat blowing every which way. She grabbed ahold of Ben by the hair and started slappin’ him around and cussin’ up a storm. That’s when Willie and me and Buddy shot off like bullets.”
Readers will root for the main character because they have come to care about him. And perhaps because he is bullied at school and deprived of the necessities at home, we tend to excuse Shawn’s stealing apples from his neighbors or sneaking around milking a farmer’s cows before sunrise. Early on, we understand that Shawn wants a better life for himself down the road, which may include college or the military.
The dialogue and depiction of the era are outstanding, the entire story told from Shawn’s point of view. It’s not hard to believe that the novelist is a former middle-school teacher who understands the heart and soul of a boy – and the era of the 1950s and 60s in which the novel is cast. I can imagine author Stevens may have had a young man similar to Shawn in her classroom at some point in her career. A great coming-of-age novel I can recommend for all ages.
April 19, 2020
Set in the 1950s and 1960s, Dog Bone Soup is a story of survival involving a family trying to make ends meet while living with an alcoholic father and a life of poverty. The protagonist, Shawn Daniels, is the oldest of four children. He is the glue that keeps the family intact for much of this poignant tale. Life looks hopeful for the Daniels after Eddy Daniels purchases a piece of land and decides to build a house for the family. Eddy and his brother, Hiram, unfortunately, do as much drinking as working on the new place. The home eventually gets built with considerable help from Shawn and his younger brother, Willie, but it is unfinished, without running water and electricity.
Shawn's mom, Henrietta, tolerates her husband's beatings and excessive drinking for many years. It is anything but a healthy environment for the two older boys and their two younger sisters. Rather than ever getting working plumbing, Eddy spends what little money the family has on television. When he isn't at work, he spends the majority of the time drinking and watching TV. Finally, Henrietta has enough and decides to divorce Eddy. Shawn, though still in high school, begins to take on more and more responsibilities in the running of the household. He goes to school, picks up work wherever he can, guides his younger siblings, and tries to provide for the family. Since food is scarce, the boys resort to sneaking apples from their neighbors and learning to milk a farmer's cows without permission to provide milk. The two boys also fish to provide much-needed food and do many of the chores around the house to help support their mom, who is doing the best she can working full time when her husband fails to offer child support.
Bette Stevens, crafts realistic characters throughout the story. I found myself rooting for Shawn, who faces many adult circumstances while still a boy. He is smart and a good student, but his schoolwork begins to suffer as he is bullied by other students who make fun of Shawn's dad and their life of poverty.
When Shawn is a senior in high school, he faces his toughest decision of whether to go on to college or join the military. One of the more interesting parts of the story is that President Kennedy's assassination takes place during that school year, and has quite an impact on Henrietta. There are many realistic obstacles, but the ending is satisfying and believable. I would recommend this book for high school-aged students as well as excellent middle school readers.
Shawn's mom, Henrietta, tolerates her husband's beatings and excessive drinking for many years. It is anything but a healthy environment for the two older boys and their two younger sisters. Rather than ever getting working plumbing, Eddy spends what little money the family has on television. When he isn't at work, he spends the majority of the time drinking and watching TV. Finally, Henrietta has enough and decides to divorce Eddy. Shawn, though still in high school, begins to take on more and more responsibilities in the running of the household. He goes to school, picks up work wherever he can, guides his younger siblings, and tries to provide for the family. Since food is scarce, the boys resort to sneaking apples from their neighbors and learning to milk a farmer's cows without permission to provide milk. The two boys also fish to provide much-needed food and do many of the chores around the house to help support their mom, who is doing the best she can working full time when her husband fails to offer child support.
Bette Stevens, crafts realistic characters throughout the story. I found myself rooting for Shawn, who faces many adult circumstances while still a boy. He is smart and a good student, but his schoolwork begins to suffer as he is bullied by other students who make fun of Shawn's dad and their life of poverty.
When Shawn is a senior in high school, he faces his toughest decision of whether to go on to college or join the military. One of the more interesting parts of the story is that President Kennedy's assassination takes place during that school year, and has quite an impact on Henrietta. There are many realistic obstacles, but the ending is satisfying and believable. I would recommend this book for high school-aged students as well as excellent middle school readers.
February 11, 2019
Great title I thought, "What is 'DOG BONE SOUP' I wondered? I have to find out!” I really like the story. Five stars :)
October 4, 2016
Dog Bone Soup, A Boomer’s Journey
By Bette A. Stevens
Author Bette A. Stevens writes a debut novel taking place in the 1950s and 60s, filled with Americana and historical fiction. Referred to as ‘Boomers,’ the people of these decades set the pace and tenor of future generations.
Shawn Daniels might have been a typical boy in the ‘good old days’ had his father not been an abusive, wife beating drunk, spending his money on liquor, while allowing his family to live in poverty, lacking indoor plumbing and electricity. Still Shawn has dreams and fortitude enough to withstand the bullying by his peers, being called ‘white trash’ by his community, and is able to withstand all the obstacles thrown in his path. His brother, Willie, tends to be lazy and a dreamer, but still helps out when the family is starving, by chopping wood, and helping his mother manage the house and care for his younger sisters, Annie and Molly.
The author deftly flashes forward as the story opens. Shawn is preparing to head off to Army boot camp during the Vietnam War. Enlisting might keep him from being sent overseas and give him some job training. After a life of struggling, Shawn sees the light at the end of his personal tunnel. As he stays up with his Mum through the middle of the night, looking through old family pictures, his story unfolds.
This is a realistic charming, yet heartrending story reminiscent of ‘Huckleberry Finn,’ by Mark Twain. Author Stevens manages to portray this period of history with clarity and truth. Most amazingly her characters, while suffering more than today's civilization, enduring a myriad of harsh circumstances, there is little self-pity among them. If ever a people made lemonade from lemons, it was the boomers.
Amidst the hardship, including the nightly Dog Bone Soup, there are also times of adventure, playfulness and fun — as if Shawn and his generation are blessed with an innate ability to cope with daily setbacks; never losing hope and continually forging ahead aiming for better days.
Author Bette A. Stevens writes a book full of heart and wisdom, a book that YA/adult readers will treasure and cherish. This generation in particular needs to read the book to learn what hard life was like, giving them the skills to adapt to the problems of their own generation. Dog Bone Soup, A Boomer’s Journey is a journey that the reader wishes would never end.
Micki Peluso, author of . . . And the Whippoorwill Sang
By Bette A. Stevens
Author Bette A. Stevens writes a debut novel taking place in the 1950s and 60s, filled with Americana and historical fiction. Referred to as ‘Boomers,’ the people of these decades set the pace and tenor of future generations.
Shawn Daniels might have been a typical boy in the ‘good old days’ had his father not been an abusive, wife beating drunk, spending his money on liquor, while allowing his family to live in poverty, lacking indoor plumbing and electricity. Still Shawn has dreams and fortitude enough to withstand the bullying by his peers, being called ‘white trash’ by his community, and is able to withstand all the obstacles thrown in his path. His brother, Willie, tends to be lazy and a dreamer, but still helps out when the family is starving, by chopping wood, and helping his mother manage the house and care for his younger sisters, Annie and Molly.
The author deftly flashes forward as the story opens. Shawn is preparing to head off to Army boot camp during the Vietnam War. Enlisting might keep him from being sent overseas and give him some job training. After a life of struggling, Shawn sees the light at the end of his personal tunnel. As he stays up with his Mum through the middle of the night, looking through old family pictures, his story unfolds.
This is a realistic charming, yet heartrending story reminiscent of ‘Huckleberry Finn,’ by Mark Twain. Author Stevens manages to portray this period of history with clarity and truth. Most amazingly her characters, while suffering more than today's civilization, enduring a myriad of harsh circumstances, there is little self-pity among them. If ever a people made lemonade from lemons, it was the boomers.
Amidst the hardship, including the nightly Dog Bone Soup, there are also times of adventure, playfulness and fun — as if Shawn and his generation are blessed with an innate ability to cope with daily setbacks; never losing hope and continually forging ahead aiming for better days.
Author Bette A. Stevens writes a book full of heart and wisdom, a book that YA/adult readers will treasure and cherish. This generation in particular needs to read the book to learn what hard life was like, giving them the skills to adapt to the problems of their own generation. Dog Bone Soup, A Boomer’s Journey is a journey that the reader wishes would never end.
Micki Peluso, author of . . . And the Whippoorwill Sang
February 19, 2015
DOG BONE SOUP is a heartwarming and sometimes humorous look at life in the 1950’s and 60’s. It is a story of poverty, bullying, alcoholism, and domestic violence. It will take you back to a time when society accepted these issues as a normal occurrence.
Dog bone soup is a recurring topic throughout this book. When as a very young boy, Shawn and his brother were put into foster care, it soon became evident they were merely a paycheck to his foster mother. Eventually his father got him back and moved the family to a house that most would call a shack because his father was too lazy to insulate or install running water. A child of dirt-poor parents, Shawn Daniels collected the bones from the butcher for his mother to make dog bone soup to feed her family. Even though his mother dressed up the soup as much as she could with what she had on hand, Shawn hated having to eat it. Shawn watched as his drunken father abused his mother, physically and verbally. The oldest of four children, he shouldered much of the responsibility his father shunned. He helped his mom with the chores and with the care and supervision of his brother and sisters. He did a man’s job while still a young boy. Added to all of his other problems, the school bully made his life miserable and teased him unrelentingly because he was poor and the son of the town drunk.
Shawn vowed to himself, he would pull himself up out of poverty, get away from this town, and make something of himself. Life was hard, but Shawn had the spirit and the tenacity to do something about it.
This book was a surprise in the way it brought to light all of the issues Shawn faced daily, from his early childhood onward. Many of those issues are still in evidence today. Unlike Shawn, the wheels of politics and progress grind slowly and none of these adversities in society have been completely eradicated.
Bette Stevens, with her insight and talent for bringing a story to life, did an outstanding job capturing the woes and the struggles of a poor family in a time when the rest of the community was moving forward into the American dream. DOG BONE SOUP is a profound coming of age story you will not want to miss. I recommend it to every reader from pre-teen through adulthood.
This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Dog bone soup is a recurring topic throughout this book. When as a very young boy, Shawn and his brother were put into foster care, it soon became evident they were merely a paycheck to his foster mother. Eventually his father got him back and moved the family to a house that most would call a shack because his father was too lazy to insulate or install running water. A child of dirt-poor parents, Shawn Daniels collected the bones from the butcher for his mother to make dog bone soup to feed her family. Even though his mother dressed up the soup as much as she could with what she had on hand, Shawn hated having to eat it. Shawn watched as his drunken father abused his mother, physically and verbally. The oldest of four children, he shouldered much of the responsibility his father shunned. He helped his mom with the chores and with the care and supervision of his brother and sisters. He did a man’s job while still a young boy. Added to all of his other problems, the school bully made his life miserable and teased him unrelentingly because he was poor and the son of the town drunk.
Shawn vowed to himself, he would pull himself up out of poverty, get away from this town, and make something of himself. Life was hard, but Shawn had the spirit and the tenacity to do something about it.
This book was a surprise in the way it brought to light all of the issues Shawn faced daily, from his early childhood onward. Many of those issues are still in evidence today. Unlike Shawn, the wheels of politics and progress grind slowly and none of these adversities in society have been completely eradicated.
Bette Stevens, with her insight and talent for bringing a story to life, did an outstanding job capturing the woes and the struggles of a poor family in a time when the rest of the community was moving forward into the American dream. DOG BONE SOUP is a profound coming of age story you will not want to miss. I recommend it to every reader from pre-teen through adulthood.
This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
February 4, 2015
Anyone who grew up in the 1950’s and 1960’s or who has a grandparent or parent who has told them stories about it, will truly empathize with this coming of age novel. It touches on so many timeless issues like poverty, alcoholism, bullying, domestic violence, family relationships, and self-identify crises. There are many touching and authentic incidents described in a way that makes the characters so alive and appealing to the reader.
Shawn Daniels is the oldest child in a poor family living in a small rural town. They live in a unfinished house that has no bathroom, running water or heat, yet his dad finds money for a TV. Dad spends most of his time drinking or bullying the family. When a friend from school spends the night, everyone at school learns of Shawn’s plight and make fun of his situation. Shawn’s mother is very proud; she works several jobs to make ends meet. At the same time Mrs. Daniels refuses to accept help from “uppity rich folks.” Largely left to his own resources, Shawn accepts responsibility for the family, he learns about logging, gardening; he will do what is necessary by stealing apples or teaching himself how to milk a cow and then steal the milk. By the time Shawn is in high school and his mother finally divorces his father, he faces the difficult decision of whether to maintain his dream to attend college or accept reality and his self-imposed family responsibility. His choices are to leave home to join the military and perhaps face death fighting in the Vietnam War or living on another family’s charity while finishing high school.
This book is written from the heart. Though the setting is over fifty years in the past, the issues remain contemporary. I feel that the book is appropriate for young adults and adults or mature middle grade students. There are a couple of curse words. Well-written, worthwhile and powerful in scope and detail.
Shawn Daniels is the oldest child in a poor family living in a small rural town. They live in a unfinished house that has no bathroom, running water or heat, yet his dad finds money for a TV. Dad spends most of his time drinking or bullying the family. When a friend from school spends the night, everyone at school learns of Shawn’s plight and make fun of his situation. Shawn’s mother is very proud; she works several jobs to make ends meet. At the same time Mrs. Daniels refuses to accept help from “uppity rich folks.” Largely left to his own resources, Shawn accepts responsibility for the family, he learns about logging, gardening; he will do what is necessary by stealing apples or teaching himself how to milk a cow and then steal the milk. By the time Shawn is in high school and his mother finally divorces his father, he faces the difficult decision of whether to maintain his dream to attend college or accept reality and his self-imposed family responsibility. His choices are to leave home to join the military and perhaps face death fighting in the Vietnam War or living on another family’s charity while finishing high school.
This book is written from the heart. Though the setting is over fifty years in the past, the issues remain contemporary. I feel that the book is appropriate for young adults and adults or mature middle grade students. There are a couple of curse words. Well-written, worthwhile and powerful in scope and detail.
August 27, 2015
Dog bone soup is made with whatever is left around the house in conjunction with boiled bones secured from the butcher. There is not much meat left on those bones and in the 50’s the butcher was always glad to help a customer by providing the bones for free. After all, they were just for the dog. Unfortunately for Shawn Daniels, his mother, brother Willie, and sisters Anne and Molly dog bone soup was at times all they had to eat. Their father was a wife beating alcoholic who felt the world owed him a living, and so he forced the rest of the family to take up the slack where he inadequately provided. There was water to be lugged, wood to be chopped, and all manners of scavenging to be done to survive. If this all sounds like a morbid tale, it is so far removed from that descriptor. Bette Stevens tells the story in a fast past and natural way where there is no room to feel sorry for the family. They know how to make their own way, and that is the essence of the powerful story. The no count dad is the one the reader could feel sorry about since he is the one who cannot enjoy the simple love of his family.
This story takes place in a time where most Americans were starting to realize their hopes and dreams. Shawn lays a plan where he wants to grab a piece of the dream for himself. The book finishes all too soon as we see Shawn begins to take the steps necessary to find his own happiness.
Bette is an accomplished author who can tell a story clearly and without the need for unnecessary narrative. The characters are real and their situation a challenge but not impossible. It is such a believable story you would almost believe Bette lived it herself. She didn’t of course and that fact is a testimony to how truly good she is.
I am anxiously waiting for the next Shawn Daniels book to be published. I really care to see if his dreams do come true. I would recommend this book to anyone.
This story takes place in a time where most Americans were starting to realize their hopes and dreams. Shawn lays a plan where he wants to grab a piece of the dream for himself. The book finishes all too soon as we see Shawn begins to take the steps necessary to find his own happiness.
Bette is an accomplished author who can tell a story clearly and without the need for unnecessary narrative. The characters are real and their situation a challenge but not impossible. It is such a believable story you would almost believe Bette lived it herself. She didn’t of course and that fact is a testimony to how truly good she is.
I am anxiously waiting for the next Shawn Daniels book to be published. I really care to see if his dreams do come true. I would recommend this book to anyone.
September 11, 2016
This is one of the most memorable and poignant books I have read this summer.
It opens with Shawn Daniels as he is en route for his military training at Fort Dix. Soon he thinks back to his family and the previous ten years.
The story quickly moves to his family's chaotic dysfunctional life as a child during the 1950s & 1960s. His father is the town drunk whose violence towards Shawn's mother colours all their lives. The family not only live with this trauma but also exist in dire poverty and from a young age Shawn is enrolled to helping with chores around the home. However, at the same time Shawn and his brother Willie have plenty of time to engage in typical exciting childhood escapades. The happy carefree life is strongly contrasted with their severe home circumstances. So desperate that weeks at a time the family are reduced to eating soup made from bones only fit for dogs - hence the title of the book.
As the family falls deeper into a life of drudgery the so called American Dream era passes them by. Shawn's education is affected as his time is increasingly used to help his mother scour for food and work. His mother remains a strong powerful woman in her own right throughout, always seeking out to do the best she can.
The novel covers ten years seamlessly as the narrative is fluid and effective. Shawn's matures from a young boy to a strong man making decisions for himself and his family.
Bette has brilliantly recreated the life of Shawn of the 50s & 60s America. The detail is meticulous and I was immediately transported to the era; it has a cinematic-feel. The author has also captured the vernacular of the time perfectly. The touching novel is well crafted and I was hooked from the start.
It opens with Shawn Daniels as he is en route for his military training at Fort Dix. Soon he thinks back to his family and the previous ten years.
The story quickly moves to his family's chaotic dysfunctional life as a child during the 1950s & 1960s. His father is the town drunk whose violence towards Shawn's mother colours all their lives. The family not only live with this trauma but also exist in dire poverty and from a young age Shawn is enrolled to helping with chores around the home. However, at the same time Shawn and his brother Willie have plenty of time to engage in typical exciting childhood escapades. The happy carefree life is strongly contrasted with their severe home circumstances. So desperate that weeks at a time the family are reduced to eating soup made from bones only fit for dogs - hence the title of the book.
As the family falls deeper into a life of drudgery the so called American Dream era passes them by. Shawn's education is affected as his time is increasingly used to help his mother scour for food and work. His mother remains a strong powerful woman in her own right throughout, always seeking out to do the best she can.
The novel covers ten years seamlessly as the narrative is fluid and effective. Shawn's matures from a young boy to a strong man making decisions for himself and his family.
Bette has brilliantly recreated the life of Shawn of the 50s & 60s America. The detail is meticulous and I was immediately transported to the era; it has a cinematic-feel. The author has also captured the vernacular of the time perfectly. The touching novel is well crafted and I was hooked from the start.
April 8, 2018
“Like Uncle Ted said- planning is important. And I was planning not to be poor.”
This coming of age historical fiction will make you smile as you read, but you may also find your eyes getting misty too. Shawn Daniels is the main character and the hero of this book and certainly the hero for his family. This is the coming-of-age story of Shawn in the 1950s as he deals with the many obstacles that growing up in a poor family with a drunk for a Dad brings.
For every heartbreak, beating, soup made of bones for dogs and meager onion sandwich in his school lunch bag that Shawn endures, he also experiences the small pleasures of life. Fishing and fry ups, Mom’s apple pie, decorating an outdoors Christmas tree, collecting empty bottles, even working hard shoveling snow to make money to buy a ramshackle car give him joy and pride.
By the end of the story Shawn realizes that he is a determined person- something that we readers have already learned. While suffering plenty of abuse and deep poverty, he is boosted by the love of his mother, and the people who saw him as a real person- Hugo, Uncle Ted, and Mrs. Ashley who taught him the beauty of books and words, and gave him a shoebox to store his treasures and dreams.
Author Stevens gives us rich dialogue and well-developed characters and a genuine feel for the time and place. This is a readable and memorable book.
“Someday I’ll have a family of my own.”
This coming of age historical fiction will make you smile as you read, but you may also find your eyes getting misty too. Shawn Daniels is the main character and the hero of this book and certainly the hero for his family. This is the coming-of-age story of Shawn in the 1950s as he deals with the many obstacles that growing up in a poor family with a drunk for a Dad brings.
For every heartbreak, beating, soup made of bones for dogs and meager onion sandwich in his school lunch bag that Shawn endures, he also experiences the small pleasures of life. Fishing and fry ups, Mom’s apple pie, decorating an outdoors Christmas tree, collecting empty bottles, even working hard shoveling snow to make money to buy a ramshackle car give him joy and pride.
By the end of the story Shawn realizes that he is a determined person- something that we readers have already learned. While suffering plenty of abuse and deep poverty, he is boosted by the love of his mother, and the people who saw him as a real person- Hugo, Uncle Ted, and Mrs. Ashley who taught him the beauty of books and words, and gave him a shoebox to store his treasures and dreams.
Author Stevens gives us rich dialogue and well-developed characters and a genuine feel for the time and place. This is a readable and memorable book.
“Someday I’ll have a family of my own.”
October 1, 2017
In preparing to write this review, I read a couple of other reviews of this book on Amazon and Goodreads. I was interested to note one comment that likened this book to The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. I can see why this comparison has been drawn as Bette A. Stevens main character, Shawn Daniels, and Huckleberry Finn are both boys dogged by poverty and abusive and alcoholic fathers. Both boys are also fairly resourceful and have survival skills.
For me, however, that was where the comparison ended. Stevens depicts the Daniels family as being tight knit despite their unfortunate father. The children and their Mother work together to salvage their situation to the best extent they can. I really felt sad for the Mother as she was a victim of her own hormones and emotions and could not find the strength to break away from her selfish and abusive husband. She remained in a downward spiralling situation and ended up having a fourth child which was really unwise.
Shawn, the eldest child, does his best to be hard working, industrious and do well at school. He is a role model for his younger brother, Willie, and two younger sisters. Shawn tries to make the best of his situation and grasp opportunities that come his way.
I found this story to be very poignant and moving and Stevens’ writing is captivating. Despite some disturbing descriptions in the book I still found it to be a very uplifting book. Highly recommended.
For me, however, that was where the comparison ended. Stevens depicts the Daniels family as being tight knit despite their unfortunate father. The children and their Mother work together to salvage their situation to the best extent they can. I really felt sad for the Mother as she was a victim of her own hormones and emotions and could not find the strength to break away from her selfish and abusive husband. She remained in a downward spiralling situation and ended up having a fourth child which was really unwise.
Shawn, the eldest child, does his best to be hard working, industrious and do well at school. He is a role model for his younger brother, Willie, and two younger sisters. Shawn tries to make the best of his situation and grasp opportunities that come his way.
I found this story to be very poignant and moving and Stevens’ writing is captivating. Despite some disturbing descriptions in the book I still found it to be a very uplifting book. Highly recommended.
May 3, 2018
The Story Resonates!
It was a story about domestic violence and abuse of the entire family. I like the historical twist to the events that occurred, like the death of President John F. Kennedy. We all remember what we were doing if we lived during those times.
Here was a young man (Shawn), the main character, who was bright and had to overcome so many odds of just everyday living. Being poor presents so many challenges. He had a mother who was too weak to fight her husband, the provider of the family. But it’s amazing what you can accomplish once you make up your mind that you can live without someone who is detrimental to your well-being. I shouted for joy when Shawn finally stood up to his old man, because he was big enough to do it. I rooted for him when he finally stood up to the bullies in his life. We all remember those.
One thing this story teaches is that you should never let your pride stand in the way of getting help. It brought back memories of my childhood coming into our Catholic church for the first time and getting a big basket of food, a big turkey and desserts along with it for Thanksgiving. My mother didn’t turn down anything. She swallowed her pride and accepted it because she knew her children had to eat.
I give this story 3 stars because I just couldn’t get past the numerous misspelled and missing words. It had become a distraction. A good edit would fix this amazing story because right now, it's just a good story.
It was a story about domestic violence and abuse of the entire family. I like the historical twist to the events that occurred, like the death of President John F. Kennedy. We all remember what we were doing if we lived during those times.
Here was a young man (Shawn), the main character, who was bright and had to overcome so many odds of just everyday living. Being poor presents so many challenges. He had a mother who was too weak to fight her husband, the provider of the family. But it’s amazing what you can accomplish once you make up your mind that you can live without someone who is detrimental to your well-being. I shouted for joy when Shawn finally stood up to his old man, because he was big enough to do it. I rooted for him when he finally stood up to the bullies in his life. We all remember those.
One thing this story teaches is that you should never let your pride stand in the way of getting help. It brought back memories of my childhood coming into our Catholic church for the first time and getting a big basket of food, a big turkey and desserts along with it for Thanksgiving. My mother didn’t turn down anything. She swallowed her pride and accepted it because she knew her children had to eat.
I give this story 3 stars because I just couldn’t get past the numerous misspelled and missing words. It had become a distraction. A good edit would fix this amazing story because right now, it's just a good story.
February 6, 2016
Wow! I don’t know where to start with this story. Every now and then a book comes along that really makes an impression on you. Dog Bone Soup is one of those books. I didn’t grow up in the 1950s, but I didn’t have to because the author put me smack-dab in the middle of them (then later in the 60s).
Told from oldest son Shawn’s point-of-view Dog Bone Soup is the tale of the Daniels family. Shawn is bright and intelligent, devoted to his younger siblings and his mother. He’d hold he same regard for his father if the man didn’t go on drinking binges and turn on Shawn’s mother.
With a father who is considered the town drunk, and a family forced to eke out a hardscrabble living, Shawn dreams of escaping and one day becoming an Air Force pilot.
If this story sounds bleak, it’s far from it. Rather it is a vividly told tale of a family that finds ways to circumvent the poverty in which they live. There is so much heart here—devoted, honorable characters who do what’s necessary to survive. The descriptions and the settings soar off the pages. Read Dog Bone Soup and you’ll know what it feels like to go flying down a hill on your bicycle, hike to the creek to catch fish for dinner, or turn in empty bottles for penny candy. I devoured this book in two nights. Pick it up once and it’s extremely hard to put down. Highly recommended!
Told from oldest son Shawn’s point-of-view Dog Bone Soup is the tale of the Daniels family. Shawn is bright and intelligent, devoted to his younger siblings and his mother. He’d hold he same regard for his father if the man didn’t go on drinking binges and turn on Shawn’s mother.
With a father who is considered the town drunk, and a family forced to eke out a hardscrabble living, Shawn dreams of escaping and one day becoming an Air Force pilot.
If this story sounds bleak, it’s far from it. Rather it is a vividly told tale of a family that finds ways to circumvent the poverty in which they live. There is so much heart here—devoted, honorable characters who do what’s necessary to survive. The descriptions and the settings soar off the pages. Read Dog Bone Soup and you’ll know what it feels like to go flying down a hill on your bicycle, hike to the creek to catch fish for dinner, or turn in empty bottles for penny candy. I devoured this book in two nights. Pick it up once and it’s extremely hard to put down. Highly recommended!
January 19, 2020
If you are not from the USA or have never been there you will surely know this country through the eyes of your television set. Starting with Hollywood and moving on to the television era this was the first country to project an image to the English speaking world and beyond. By the fifties and sixties other countries were catching up with television, but most of us will have grown up with American programmes, funny or glossy. As adults we know life is not always as portrayed on television. The story of Shawn and his family is totally captivating. Poverty is relative; if everybody is in the same boat there is no shame. Shawn's family are struggling to eat, no running water, but they have a television set, most children at their local school are living the good life portrayed on television.
The late fifties and early sixties were prosperous, the space age had started, but not everyone was sharing the good times. For everyone there will be the shock of Kenedy's assasination. Shawn as the eldest has to use all his ingenuity to keep the family going. This is also a universal story that happens in every time and place; the woman who soon finds out she's married a loser, alcohol leads to domestic violence. The story wisely starts and ends with Shawn leaving to join the army; a poignant ending because he has achieved his aim, but at what price with Vietnam surely his destination?
The late fifties and early sixties were prosperous, the space age had started, but not everyone was sharing the good times. For everyone there will be the shock of Kenedy's assasination. Shawn as the eldest has to use all his ingenuity to keep the family going. This is also a universal story that happens in every time and place; the woman who soon finds out she's married a loser, alcohol leads to domestic violence. The story wisely starts and ends with Shawn leaving to join the army; a poignant ending because he has achieved his aim, but at what price with Vietnam surely his destination?
May 22, 2018
Henrietta! Her husband called her by her full name only when he wanted to abuse her. Eddie Daniels was one of those husbands that took pleasure in keeping their wives in check with physical and verbal beatings. And yet, he claimed he loved his wife.
Throughout the story, there was no time he showed real affection for his children. He had four of them. In the end, he would rather go to prison than pay child support.
The story of Shawn and Willie was something else. They lived out their childhood in full; played rough, took risks, even stole to put food on their table. Above all, Shawn loved and protected his mother from their father’s assaults and batteries. Willie seemed to have a lot of his father’s traits in him; playful and above all lazy.
The author was able to capture the life of this poor family who though poor lived and enjoyed life together. The story was well written, although it sometimes fell into a kind of vernacular parlance that I had to read twice to understand what was being said. The editing errors exceeded three. For me, that was a bit too much. I hope the author takes another look. The errors beg to be corrected. Other than that, I enjoyed reading the story.
Throughout the story, there was no time he showed real affection for his children. He had four of them. In the end, he would rather go to prison than pay child support.
The story of Shawn and Willie was something else. They lived out their childhood in full; played rough, took risks, even stole to put food on their table. Above all, Shawn loved and protected his mother from their father’s assaults and batteries. Willie seemed to have a lot of his father’s traits in him; playful and above all lazy.
The author was able to capture the life of this poor family who though poor lived and enjoyed life together. The story was well written, although it sometimes fell into a kind of vernacular parlance that I had to read twice to understand what was being said. The editing errors exceeded three. For me, that was a bit too much. I hope the author takes another look. The errors beg to be corrected. Other than that, I enjoyed reading the story.
January 22, 2017
Bette A. Stevens did a great job in depicting how very poor families lived back in the days. The head of household was the town drunk and abusive which really made life tough on the kids. The story brought back some old memories of my dad’s drinking, so I understood the hardships the family faced. Henrietta struggled, as my mother did, to make up for the short comings of the old man!
We may not have been quite as poor as the characters in Dog Bone Soup, but I do remember collecting bottles to sell for their deposit. A bicycle was my major mode of transportation until I had a flat, then I walked.
Henrietta, the wife and mother, struggled to feed the family and I know life was tough on her. I wish the author had stressed a little more about her abusive bum of a husband and why she didn’t run him off sooner. I know it is tough to get out of a bad relationship, but I would like to have had a little more insight into turmoil around this facet of the story. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy the book because I did. I trust you will pick up your copy of Dog Bone Soup. It is a story that needed to be told, and it is a story that needs to be read.
We may not have been quite as poor as the characters in Dog Bone Soup, but I do remember collecting bottles to sell for their deposit. A bicycle was my major mode of transportation until I had a flat, then I walked.
Henrietta, the wife and mother, struggled to feed the family and I know life was tough on her. I wish the author had stressed a little more about her abusive bum of a husband and why she didn’t run him off sooner. I know it is tough to get out of a bad relationship, but I would like to have had a little more insight into turmoil around this facet of the story. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy the book because I did. I trust you will pick up your copy of Dog Bone Soup. It is a story that needed to be told, and it is a story that needs to be read.
May 30, 2018
“Dog Bone Soup” is a story told through a boy’s eyes as he grows up in a desperately poor family in the 50’s with an abusive-alcoholic father. Shawn spends time surviving and taking care of his family’s needs, as well as finding time to enjoy life with his brother. I wondered what dog bone soup was and quickly found out it came from Shawn having to get dog bones at the butcher, so his family could eat. Ms. Stevens’ descriptions of the era really pulled me into the story. I loved the relationship between Shawn and his younger brother Willie and the creative ways they found to supply the family with food. It was sad how people treated them and the pride the family had--that ended up hurting them at times. Using an outhouse and having to bring water in each day when everyone else had indoor plumbing was made worse when the father made sure he had electricity for his TV. This was one of many examples of what four children had to endure from a selfish father and a mother struggling to care for her family. A beautifully written coming of age story that I can highly recommend!
January 16, 2015
Shawn Daniels grew up in the Boomer era. He was a poor boy materialistically, but rich in spirit and ingenuity. Shawn went from foster care to a tar paper house with no doors on the bedrooms and an abusive drunken father. His ability to withstand his environment led him to rise above and find new horizons.
This is a fast moving read that will take its characters from early childhood to adulthood with all of the trials, fears, joys, and experiences that life had to offer a poverty stricken family. Middle grade to adult will find this book entertaining.
Bette Stevens, author of Dog Bone Soup, has captured the essence of a dirt poor family struggling in the 1950s and 60s. Her ability to put you right in the action of the story will amaze. For those who grew up in the 1950s, this will take you back, and for those experiencing for the first time, this book will drag you in and hold you till the last page. Happy reading everyone. Great book!
Reviewed by author, Susan Hornbach
This is a fast moving read that will take its characters from early childhood to adulthood with all of the trials, fears, joys, and experiences that life had to offer a poverty stricken family. Middle grade to adult will find this book entertaining.
Bette Stevens, author of Dog Bone Soup, has captured the essence of a dirt poor family struggling in the 1950s and 60s. Her ability to put you right in the action of the story will amaze. For those who grew up in the 1950s, this will take you back, and for those experiencing for the first time, this book will drag you in and hold you till the last page. Happy reading everyone. Great book!
Reviewed by author, Susan Hornbach
June 22, 2015
What really grabs me, is a story that sucks me in from the beginning, shakes me around and leaves me a big old mess. Okay, so I'm a sucker for heartbreak.
Dog Bone Soup is the story of Shawn Daniels, a dirt poor American Kid whose focus is his younger siblings and his forever struggling mother. He protects his siblings from the devastating reality that his father is a drunk who drowns the family's income on his addiction.
Reading Dog Bone Soup is hard, yet equally addictive. You find yourself forever pining for Shawn and his family, unable to put the story down. Each page draws to the ever increasing reality of where the book begins; Shawn will eventually leave to enlist in the military.
Read my full review here: http://gcmacquarie.weebly.com/reviews...
Dog Bone Soup is the story of Shawn Daniels, a dirt poor American Kid whose focus is his younger siblings and his forever struggling mother. He protects his siblings from the devastating reality that his father is a drunk who drowns the family's income on his addiction.
Reading Dog Bone Soup is hard, yet equally addictive. You find yourself forever pining for Shawn and his family, unable to put the story down. Each page draws to the ever increasing reality of where the book begins; Shawn will eventually leave to enlist in the military.
Read my full review here: http://gcmacquarie.weebly.com/reviews...
July 26, 2017
Dog bone soup was the meal Shawn hated most at his house. Not only because the soup was weak and thin, but because they had to eat like this to put money away. And they had to hide it, too, since if Shawn’s dad got wind of it, he’d take it and blow it on liquor and women.
Shawn worked whenever he could, after school, Saturdays, and summers. His mom worked any housecleaning job she could find, too, and it still wasn’t enough for them to shake the specter of poverty that haunted them and made them a mockery in town. No matter that they were hard-working and sober. Shawn’s drunken father, in and out of trouble, made Shawn a constant target for derision at school.
This is a classic coming-of-age story, about a young man searching for a way to escape his home town.
Shawn worked whenever he could, after school, Saturdays, and summers. His mom worked any housecleaning job she could find, too, and it still wasn’t enough for them to shake the specter of poverty that haunted them and made them a mockery in town. No matter that they were hard-working and sober. Shawn’s drunken father, in and out of trouble, made Shawn a constant target for derision at school.
This is a classic coming-of-age story, about a young man searching for a way to escape his home town.
March 16, 2015
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Shawn and his family aren't the typical "All American Family" of the 1950's in the "Boomer Years". They are poor. Their father is the town drunk. Shawn does everything he can to better his position and to look after his family. The writing is authentic, and the scene setting very well done. The story is told from Shawn's perspective in first person. I engaged with the characters and cared what happened to them all. At times, I felt as though I were sitting down to tea with the family. If you liked Pure White Trash, then you'll love Dog Bone Soup.
Shawn and his family aren't the typical "All American Family" of the 1950's in the "Boomer Years". They are poor. Their father is the town drunk. Shawn does everything he can to better his position and to look after his family. The writing is authentic, and the scene setting very well done. The story is told from Shawn's perspective in first person. I engaged with the characters and cared what happened to them all. At times, I felt as though I were sitting down to tea with the family. If you liked Pure White Trash, then you'll love Dog Bone Soup.
July 10, 2015
Bette Stevens has a way of writing that brings her characters alive. The story sounds far more real than made up. Dog Bone Soup takes place in the fifties and sixties, but it could be anytime America as poverty, alcoholism, abuse, integrity, and ingenuity still abound. The question that I think the book answers is how do you deal with poverty. Do you become an alcoholic as Shawn's father did, or rise above your situation and make a life for yourself as Shawn did? Bette has written a terrific novel that should be a must read for everyone, young or old, male or female. The story is a true page turner, with the reader always wanting to know what's going to happen next. I highly recommend it.
January 16, 2015
A word from the author:
DOG BONE SOUP is not only the title of Bette A. Stevens’s debut novel; it ranks high among the paltry meals that the book’s protagonist, Shawn Daniels, wants to forget. Plodding through mounting snow and battling howling winds, Shawn is ready to leave it all behind—living in poverty, Dad’s drinking, life in foster care, the divorce, the bullies….
Travel with Shawn Daniels through the guts and the glories of life. You’ll find them all in DOG BONE SOUP, a Boomer’s coming-of-age saga.
DOG BONE SOUP is not only the title of Bette A. Stevens’s debut novel; it ranks high among the paltry meals that the book’s protagonist, Shawn Daniels, wants to forget. Plodding through mounting snow and battling howling winds, Shawn is ready to leave it all behind—living in poverty, Dad’s drinking, life in foster care, the divorce, the bullies….
Travel with Shawn Daniels through the guts and the glories of life. You’ll find them all in DOG BONE SOUP, a Boomer’s coming-of-age saga.
January 30, 2019
When I first heard about Dog Bone Soup, I was intrigued by the title. From the start, I was drawn into this captivating story about a family living in poverty. Stevens does an excellent job of depicting an era when so many struggled. I adored Shawn’s character and admired his strength as he filled the shoes of his alcoholic father. This is a fast read that kept me turning the pages well into the night as there were many similarities to my father’s upbringing. I highly recommend this book to readers of all ages.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews