MARSHFIELD DREAMS
“Written with sagacious eloquence and gentle humor, this work stands strong in the ranks of authors’ memoirs and autobiographies.”
—School Library Journal
“Boisterously good times.”
—Booklist
“Charming.… Sensitive glimpses of a close-knit, traditional family.”
—VOYA
“This scrapbook of family moments is an amusing, charming and heartwarming memoir. A snapshot of small-world life that will open readers’ eyes to the bonds of a peerless time and simpler lifestyle.”
—Kirkus Reviews
GUY WRITE
A Tri-State Review Committee Book of Note
“Important reading for teachers as well as budding guy writers.”
—BCCB
“Encouragement and instructive pointers in a package guy writers will enjoy.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“A good guide for anyone with a penchant for storytelling, but especially those who trade in ‘spoofs, humor, sports, blood, farts [and] giant monsters tearing down the city.’”
—Booklist
About the Author
Ralph Fletcher is the author of a wide range of books for young readers, from picture books through novels, including his memoir Marshfield Dreams: When I Was a Kid and Guy-Write: What Every Guy Writer Needs to Know. He also writes books on writing, including How to Write Your Life Story and Live Writing. He lives with his family in Lee, New Hampshire.
Visit him online at ralphfletcher.com, or sign up for email updates here.
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Contents
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Map
Introduction
Buffalo
Soggy Eyes
The In-Betweener
Marsh Field
Pocketful of Trouble
Big Brother Shadow
Boy Scouts
Daydreamer
Transistor Radio
Square Dancing
Gwen Givvens
Mushrooms
Cousins by the Dozens
Sky Hook and a Bacon-Stretcher
The Marshfield Fair
Poetry
November 22, 1963
Driving at Night
Smoking
The Language of Laughter
All-Chocolate Necco Wafers
Bird’s Nest
On the Back of the Bus
A Conflict of Interest
Moving
The Other Fletchers
The Earthworm
The Final Fletcher
Epilogue
Also by Ralph Fletcher
About the Author
Copyright
Text copyright © 2018 by Ralph Fletcher
Map copyright © 2018 by Jennifer Thermes
Henry Holt and Company, Publishers since 1866
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Fletcher, Ralph J., author.
Title: Marshfield Memories: more stories about growing up / Ralph Fletcher.
Description: First edition. | New York, New York: Christy Ottaviano Books/Henry Holt and Company, 2018. | Sequel to: Marshfield Dreams.
Identifiers: LCCN 2018004256 | ISBN 9781627795241 (hardcover)
Subjects: LCSH: Fletcher, Ralph J.—Childhood and youth—Juvenile literature. | Fletcher, Ralph J.—Homes and haunts—Massachusetts—Marshfield—Juvenile literature. | Authors, American—20th century—Biography—Juvenile literature. | Marshfield (Mass.)—Social life and customs—Juvenile literature.
Classification: LCC PS3556.L523 I6 2018 | DDC 811/.54—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018004256
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First hardcover edition 2018
eBook edition November 2018
eISBN 9781250187772