Customer Reviews

A Twig Grows in Springdale

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Reading Al Michaud's book of reminiscences, A Twig Grows in Springdale, is like taking a trip backward in time. The time was the Great Depression, which coincided with his early boyhood, but in spite of the lack of money-possibly because of it-his was a happy boyhood.
The place was a small New England town, Springdale, where we meet the colorful characters who peopled his world. Money may have been in short supply, but there was always enough for food, and though threadbare, clothes enough to keep them warm. And to add to the richness of a life of simple pleasures in Springdale were the years during the polio epidemic when the family spent the summers with friends on their farm in the mountains. There more adventures helped bend the Twig, and the reader is the lucky spectator. A good read.

I was born on Hope Street and lived in Springdale for most of my
life. Al Michaud brings back many wonderful memories of growing
up. "A Twig Grows in Springdale" is a good read for anyone who
grew up in a small town or wished that they did.
You get the feeling that we were richer then, with or without
Con Lund's dimes.
Thanks for the memories! Al.

Marilyn Seaman Ritchie

Rebeccasreads recommends A TWIG GROWS IN SPRINGDALE as a treasure trove of stories, rather like your Grandmother's hope chest. Take it down, open it up anywhere & travel back to a time when the future is a distant thing & where everyday life is so much more important.

Like an ancient family photo album, Al Michaud fills his with remembrances & impressions, written in snapshots & vignettes, some a hundred or so words, others a couple of pages long, penned in a storytelling rhythm, of a time when sliced bread was a novelty, coal was king, homework unknown, all immigrants wanted to learn English & become Americans, & Springdale, a small southern New England town, was the center of his universe.

I followed Al through Springdale School by 8 years. How the memories flooded back. So much relates to Small Town USA everywhere during the depression. Summer farm stories when families fled the towns fearing Infantile Paralysis are particularly nostalgic for all of us who forked hay in the mow, milked the cows and hoed the corn. No electricity, kitchen wood stove. It is all there and very well written

This book brought back memories of my own childhood and made me wish I could write one just like it! It helped me recall forgotten incidents from long ago and happy, happy moments during my growing up years. Very enjoyable, easy reading....once I started, just could not put it down.

I'm telling you I love that book!!! Sure is keeping my interest. Like you said as Bob Hope says "Thanks for the Memories" and please keep them coming. Have a great day
Shirley, Stamford CT

"Just got the book today.Looks wonderful.I loved the comment sabout not remembering what you had for dinner last night but you can remember your first grade teacher. I will start reading tonight and probably will be up all night. Thanks for the memories"

This is a different kind of a memoir-not spectacular-just word snapshots of little kids growing uop in a little New England village during the 1930s. The people (real names) happenings and places are snapshoted as they all work together to shape and bend the little kid "rwigs". A good read for nostalga fans-any who want to revisit their own past-maybe a good insight for ewannabees who will get there too-with good luck, A bit corny and hokey but warm, comfortable and just a good,human substitute for the blood and guts of much current writings