Back in the Day Stories

Mrs. Goldberg’s Knot Surprises

Daily Bread is my middle-grade historical novel set in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, 1911. The story follows eight-year-old Lily, an American-born child of Sicilian immigrants, who loves to sing out her artist heart and prove she is not a little kid. She learns that it is not easy to be a big kid… Continue reading Mrs. Goldberg’s Knot Surprises

Back in the Day Stories

Daily Bread an Introduction

Daily Bread is my middle-grade historical novel set in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, 1911. The story follows eight-year-old Lily, an American-born child of Sicilian immigrants, who loves to sing out her artist heart and prove she is not a little kid. She learns that it is not easy to be a big kid… Continue reading Daily Bread an Introduction

Back in the Day Stories

Sweet William

Many Italian-American families, like mine, christened first born sons the paternal grandfather's name. Second born sons were given the maternal grandfather's name, and the third sons wore their father's name. Daughters' names similarly honored the matriarchal line. Families were littered with Vitos, Paulos, Marias, and Christinas.  It was a mystery, then, that my dad's father,… Continue reading Sweet William