The Eleventh Summer

by: Sarah Norkus

Published by: Pleasant Word

Reviewed by Knevits Stephens

Sarah, often called Sally, tells the story of her eleventh summer. Her dad left and divorced her mother when she was eight years old. She was left with an alcoholic mother and three younger siblings. Her mother was drunk usually at all times, and it left Sarah to grow up and take care of her siblings. She learned to do the cooking, cleaning, and to pack school lunches.

At times growing up, a housekeeper/nanny named Mattie was in the home. She loved the children as her own and often ran interference between Sarah and her mother. Sarah’s mother had a habit of going over the edge over small things and hitting her with a wooden spoon or belt. At other times she would verbally abuse Sarah to the point that she believed she was worthless.

Mattie introduced the children to the Bible and Jesus. She would read them parts from the bible and teach them songs. Mattie would hug and kiss the children and tell them that she loved them, which is something Sarah’s mother never did. Sarah’s mother would go to church when she was able, even though she was an alcoholic. Sarah talked to her mother and the priest, and she could be baptized. This was one of the highlights in Sarah’s life.

Sarah goes through a lot of rough times her eleventh summer. But thankfully she had Mattie and her dad who gave her faith and helped to make it through the tough times. She lost years of her childhood so she could help with her siblings since her mother was often drunk or passed out.

This is a good read for anyone. The book touched my heart and even brought a couple tears to my eyes. My praises go to Sarah who shared her story with us. It takes a brave person to tell of living with an alcoholic and some of the things she endured that summer.

The author even went so far as to put contacts in the back of the book of agency names who can help with alcoholism and children of alcoholics.

Armchair Interviews says: A memoir of a young girl that will stay with you long after you closed the book.