Marshfield Memories: More Stories about Growing Up in Marshfield

by Ralph Fletcher

A heartfelt middle grade companion to Marshfield Dreams that captures the boyhood years of twelve-year-old Ralph Fletcher in relatable episodes of everyday disappointments and triumphs.

As the oldest of nine kids, Ralph was often cast as another parent to his siblings rather than as an older brother; teetering between these two conflicting roles, Ralph longed to be home alone on a sick day, but hated the emptiness of feeling left behind. He loved to play sports with his neighborhood friends but resented the skillful victories of his younger brother. Thrust into the expectations of impending adolescence, Ralph was curious about girls, but embarrassed to take part in the school square dance. This satisfying memoir offers a snapshot of those pivotal moments between grade school and high school, all while tracing the roots of Ralph Fletcher’s acclaimed storytelling.

Christy Ottaviano Books

Genres: Memoir

208 pages, Hardcover

Published November 13, 2018

About the author

Ralph Fletcher is a friend of young writers and readers as well as writing teachers. He has written or co-authored many books for writing teachers includng Writing Workshop: The Essential Guide, Teaching the Qualities of Writing, Lessons for the Writer's Notebook, Boy Writers: Reclaiming Their Voices, and Pyrotechnics on the Page: Playful Craft That Sparks Writing. Ralph has worked with teachers around the U.S. and abroad, helping them find wiser ways of teaching writing.

Ralph's many books for students include picture books (Twilight Comes Twice, Hello Harvest Moon, and The Sandman), novels (Fig Pudding, Flying Solo, and Spider Boy), poetry (A Writing Kind of Day and Moving Day), and a memoir, Marshfield Dreams: When I Was a Kid. His novel Uncle Daddy was awarded the Christopher medal in 2002. He has also written a popular series of books for young writers including Poetry Matters, Live Writing, and A Writer's Notebook. Ralph lives with his family in New Hampshire. He is a strong environmentalist who believes we all must work together to live in a more sustainable way. His other passions include travel, good food, dark chocolate, growing orchids, and sports.

Reviews

[HaJun · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I am keep reading the same book I can find new things. The first time I read it was fun but when I read again I catch a lot of missing parts. Maybe I am going to revisit again!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being twelve is never easy no matter what decade one grows up in. It's particularly challenging when the person is the oldest boy in a large family. In thirty linked vignettes, beloved poet and author Ralph Fletcher follows up on his earlier memoir, Marshfield Dreams, describing what it was like to feel caught between being responsible like an adult and wanting to be silly like the other youngsters in his family. Fletcher has a gift with understatement, and each story will appeal to young readers for one reason or another, mostly because they will be able to relate to Ralph or one of his siblings. Growing up is complicated in many ways, and he captures perfectly the joys of receiving a transistor radio on which he could listen to baseball games and the countdown of music favorites, an experience that many older readers can recall and mistakes that are made out of carelessness or from not thinking ahead. There are stories about catching 63 frogs and learning the importance of respect for nature and one about his parents' smoking habits. There is a bit about an unexpected death, a story about marbles, one about cousins, and even one about the impact of the assassination of JFK on his mother but not necessarily on him. It's clear that Marshfield was a place where Ralph soaked up life experiences and began his lifelong journey to becoming a writer. The ache with which he must leave it all behind when the family moves is palpable. What is most amazing about these stories is their brevity. Somehow, the author chooses just the right words for a minimalist approach to writing, and yet, they hit readers right in the heart and funny bone. Having some family photos included makes the stories even more appealing. Anyone interested in how to become a writer will want to read this book several times, soaking up the words and experiences distilled by Fletcher here. It's almost as though he's captured a particular place and time and wrapped it in a bubble, safe and removed from the rest of the world and its problems.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second memoir shares additional memories from the author's childhood. I would have preferred it if he had picked up where the previous book left off, telling readers about what happened after his family moved to a new town, but he shares more stories about growing up in Marshfield. There were moments where this felt repetitious, but there are lots of new, humorous stories and thoughtful reflections here.

[Jennifer Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the sequel to Marshfield Dreams: When I was a Kid. In this book Ralph talks about when he was a kid and tells stories about how being the oldest he felt more like another parent than a sibling, his boy scout adventures and moving with his family. Great stories for all. Boys especially will be able to relate.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, clean autobiographical read about the author's life growing up in a large family.

[Haley.Fosterbetheluniversity.Edu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Today’s Date: 11/23/2020
Genre: Autobiography
Grade Levels: 4th - 6th

Review: This was a great sequel to Marshfield Dreams! We read the first memoir aloud in class, so it was great reading more stories with the same characters that we knew and fell in love with in the first book. This book is great for both kids and adults alike! It made me want to read more memoirs in the future!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

This book is inspirational and is very family oriented and also brings back some memories from my life I wold recommend it.