Growing Up in the Great Depression

by Delores Mixer

Author Delores Mixer was ten years old when her father came home one day and announced he’d lost his job. It had taken a few years since the stock market crash of October 29, 1929, before the Great Depression came to Saint Paul, Minnesota.

In this collection of uplifting short stories, Delores describes the period when her family lived in a house on Glendale Street, in the Midway District, as the “We Can Make It” time, as they go on to face the challenges of trying times together.

A testament to the all-American optimism and “can-do” spirit our country was built upon, Growing Up in the Great Depression shows what is possible when a family pulls together, engages their resourcefulness to support themselves—even having some fun along the way.

Original poems, both haiku and free verse, as well as lyrics to several popular songs from the era are included to help convey the sentiments of the day.

While providing intriguing historical context, this book is all about ingenuity and enjoying life’s simple pleasures, such as a little red wagon—which, as the lapel pin worn by Colin Powell symbolizes, can carry a child’s dreams.

92 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 23, 2015

Reviews

[Jessaka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dolores's life as a 12 year-old girl seemed a lot like my own at that age. Her father was out of work, while my mother was divorced and was the sole provider. But I have to say that once in a while my father would send child support.

Dolores found ways to make money at that age. She would take her Little red wagon to the ice house and wait for some ice to fall off The Shoot. Then the man who was working there would leave and she would pick up the ice and take it home to her mother. After giving some to her mother she would sell the rest of the ice to the neighbor. Then she would mix nectar with water and head for the golf course She would then sell this drink To the people who were golfing at the 8th hole.1 day she received an entire dollar. She had many other creative ways to make money. Me, I gathered soda bottles and sold them back to the store. Then 1 day a lady gave me some of her beautiful flowers. I went across the street to a trailer park and sold them to the ladies there. They had no yd, no flowers.

[Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

- When the stock market crashed, the author's family - as well as vast majorities of people in the US - didn't really feel the impact since they neither own any stock nor have money in the bank. Thus, while the impact seemed to be imminent, many didn't feel it till later on

- The change in economic landscape (both getting worse as well as getting better) is gradual. Author began seeing people feeling the impact (soup kitchens, shantytown) gradually

- After experiencing through the great depression, the author vows not having their children knowing the suffrage they've been through (which IMHO leads to generations after the silent generation more of a soft, sensitive generations)

[Joy Kidney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Growing up in St. Paul, Minnesota, the resourceful author found ways to earn a little money. She not only contributed to her family that way, she enjoyed having a few cents to spend, especially enjoyable with friends. Those neighbor girls found all sorts of ways to entertain themselves without spending any money.

[Christine Arrowsmith Hartman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet memories

This book is quite short. It seems like just the beginning of a book. I think that the author was trying to capture some memories and make them available as a historical reference. I would like to read this after she "fattens" it up with some more details .

[Terry A Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

The book provided great insight and inspiration from a generation that has mostly been forgotten. Only someone who has lived without can truly tell what life should be today.

[Marcie Lavold · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was interesting.

[Natalie J DeStefano · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok for my purposes

[Cindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the reminiscences of Ms. Mixer. Some interesting stories about things they did during that time.

[Meghan Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun read. I read it in one sit down. To read how this family lived through the Great Depression will make you think but also appreciate life as you know it now.