Summary

The collection begins by introducing Anderson’s mother and father, both victims of trauma. Anderson’s father witnessed the atrocities of World War II, and suffered from PTSD as a result. His depression and mental health issues manifested themselves in excessive drinking and one incident of physical abuse of Anderson’s mother. The assault was bad enough to warrant extensive medical treatment as most of her teeth were knocked out. Anderson goes on to describe her life in the church as the daughter of a preacher, and her mother’s taciturn ways after the beating. Anderson describes her childhood: the joys she found in swimming, as well as the difficulties of moving frequently as a result of her father’s sporadic employment and unstable mental health.

Initially, Anderson struggles to learn to read but with the guidance of mentors, teachers, and librarians, she...