Customer Reviews

Yankee Doodle Boychik

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this is a charming, poignant story of the child of an immigrant family learning to grow up Amrican. His old country Ma keeps him on the right track, insisting he maintain the high values of her own religious childhood in the Ukrain and at the same time, learns from him the needs of an Aamerican boy. Each of the 40 chapters in this lovely book is a complete short story in itself. Boychik's entire family joins him in his quest to become an American. You will laugh and cry with Jake and at the same time learn something about Chicago in the pre-depression era.

I greatly enjoyed every one of the 40 chapters in this wonderful recollection of Jewish life in 20's America. Each chapter highlights a delightful adventure as seen through the eyes of a youngster. Trials and tribulations of a youngster, as remembered by the guy who lived it, is a heartwarming tribute to family life for an immigrant family with their youngsters. Having been brought up in a similar family situation, in the 1930's, I could see myself in many of these same daily adventures as a child. Chapters cover important family events ranging from family moves, new pets, shoppping, new bikes, school, camp, vacations, etc., etc. All aspects of daily family life and how they affect youngsters and parents are covered with an abundance of Yiddish speech and Jewish family attitudes. This book provides a wonderful insight into this period of American life. Enjoy, enjoy, and share with others.

Accurately recalls early, strong influences that shape an integrity, a warm, sweet wit that anyone will be touched by; this book and the author reveal power in the subtle, loving care his immigrant mother possesses and shows him throughout, as he makes his choices and makes new friends. Expressed in a way that mirrors determination, a shared spark for life and in a new land where Boychik translates the dream, and the vision, for himself while preserving, in a new American-style, strong family culture, tradition, and conviction based in tolerance, kindness and respect that we all identify. Read this book. It will absolutely delight you and help you see what is truly important in every family, every culture, every individual!