This book is a memoir of Susan Gilman growing up on Manhattan's Upper West Side in the 70's. 

Gilman recounts many of the tales she encountered along the way while she was growing up.  When asked by her teacher what she wanted to be when she grew up, Susan's response was "I want to be a ballerina, and a model, and a movie star, and a director, and a stewardess."  When a couple of the other students seemed to copy her response, she could no longer retain herself and said "I also want to be a princess and a nurse.  I forgot to say."  Well, that just about covered everything - how could this be a wrong answer?  This pretty well sums up the type of person Susan Gilman was going to grow up to be. 

During her childhood, Susan thought that being Puerto Rican simply meant you spoke Spanish and were allowed to get your ears pierced.  She grew up in a neighborhood where everyone came in different colors.  The kids in the high-rise apartment were black, white, Hispanic, Asian and interracial.  She learned to deal with bullies and color barriers.

Then, there is the fact that although her family is Jewish, they always celebrated Christmas.  When Susan's brother asked their father why a Jewish family is celebrating Christmas, you will double over with laughter when you read his reply.

When Gilman was in her twenties, she had to deal with the reality of her parents getting a divorce.

This is a very funny book.  There are so many one-liners included it makes you think a comedian wrote this book.  Woman will love to read this one because Susan Gilman tells it like it was - no holding back.  It's an entertaining read and one that you will thoroughly enjoy!  Just to let you in on a little secret-men will enjoy this one too!

REVIEWED BY NANCY EATON

DO NOT REPRINT WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE REVIEWER, NANCY EATON