Recipient of the Literary Titan's Book Award for October 2023, "Better Be Home When the Streetlights Come On" is the story of old friends who reminisce about their adventures during the summer of 1963. The backdrop is a small steel mill town, Braddock, Pennsylvania which lies to the east of Pittsburgh along the Monongahela River. Follow James Aloysius "Jack" Conley, as he meanders from the end of his school year at St. Brendan's Catholic school to the crescendo of all boyhood experiences - a week at Boy Scout camp marking ...
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Recipient of the Literary Titan's Book Award for October 2023, "Better Be Home When the Streetlights Come On" is the story of old friends who reminisce about their adventures during the summer of 1963. The backdrop is a small steel mill town, Braddock, Pennsylvania which lies to the east of Pittsburgh along the Monongahela River. Follow James Aloysius "Jack" Conley, as he meanders from the end of his school year at St. Brendan's Catholic school to the crescendo of all boyhood experiences - a week at Boy Scout camp marking the end of summer. On this journey are his inseparable buddies, Jewish kid, Don "Brain"" Cohen and their African American partner Chris "Chief" Johnson. "Brain" was given his nickname since he was the smartest among us kids. Chris was dubbed "Chief" since he claimed to have native American ancestry. Between the end of school and Boy Scout camp, the three will traverse various adventures of their eleven-year-old life and times. Along the way, readers will smile, laugh, and cry at the nostalgic look back at a more simple and innocent time.
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Seller's Description:
New. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 224 p. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
New. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 224 p. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Better Be Home When the Streetlights Come On: Remembering the Summer of 1963 by Ron Baklarz provides an evocative journey into the lives of Jack and his teenage companions during the vibrant era of the 1960s. This narrative, which can best be described as a fictional biography, is rooted in the lively exploits of these young lads, all set against the backdrop of Braddock, Pennsylvania, following their academic year at St. Brendan Catholic School.
Caught in the tumultuous throes of adolescence, Jack, along with his inseparable friends Brain and Chief, grapple with their increasing curiosity. Whether it's dodging the intimidating Buster or embarking on secret escapades their parents should remain oblivious to, their summer is nothing short of eventful. From spirited accounts of their Catholic school experiences to their eager anticipations of the Boy Scout camp, their tales encompass the universal thrills of teenage years - the intrigue surrounding girls, firearms, fireworks, and camping adventures.
Baklarz does an admirable job of immersing readers in the 1960s, interweaving the narrative with cultural and historical references pertinent to the era. Vivid episodes, such as a delightful picnic escapade with their mothers or a daring attempt at firearm smuggling, consistently engage the reader.
While the novel's focus remains sharply on 1963, there are moments when I feel the pacing feels slightly rushed, making it a tad challenging to trace the connectivity between certain events. I think a deeper dive into the perspectives of the supporting cast would have further enriched the tapestry of this story. While the extensive detailing of historical events is informative, its relevance to the central narrative occasionally feels overstated.
Better Be Home When the Streetlights Come On promises a delightful read for those with an affinity for tales that blur the lines between fact and fiction and who relish a trip down memory lane.
