The Boy Who Grew in the Shade

by Doris Lafrenz

In this remarkable record of personal and world history, Hans - left motherless at birth and raised by his grandmother - maintains hope and faith as he battles the tragedies of a childhood during the cruelty of war and the rejection of his father, and is eventually sent to America onboard the George Washington to work on his uncle's farm in Iowa. The inspirational story follows him as he learns to navigate this adventurous new chapter in his life, overcoming the darkness of his childhood and forging a brand new way for himself. Hans' new life in America is not always easy, but with courage and optimism he makes it through the bad - the financial woes of the Great Depression, concern for his family back in Nazi ravaged Germany - and the good - learning English and becoming a U.S. citizen, finding love and starting a family. Hans leaves the sadness of his childhood behind for the joy of the life he has made for himself in America with the family he loves.

340 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2008

About the author

Doris was born in Sioux City, Iowa. She married her high school sweetheart in 1960. They have three children.

When she and her husband were about to retire, her husband asked her to write a book about his father. Doris had been writing short stories in her notebooks, but she was not sure if she could really write a whole book. So her husband's request stunned her.

But when she started writing, she found out that she loves it.

Some of her works include The Boy Who Grew in the Shade, Vote for Murder, and The Blanket is Blue.

Reviews

[Audra · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a cute & interesting story. A little hard to get through the 1st 2 chapters but after that it was easier to pick up & read. The writing was a little choppy & squeaky clean. But the story was an interesting one about a man's life. An author's take on a life she knew.