Summer Read Giveaway and Book Review - The Side Yard Superhero by

Thanks to Family Review Network I got an advance copy of a really wonderfully sweet story.

The story is a recount of Rick's childhood memories in a stunningly colorful way. I was transported to 1950's and 60's with all the visuals of a great author. I was there. Though I wouldn't be born for another 16 years.

Only about two chapters in and I was nostalgic for a time when a kid worked his butt off for $7.20 a week. $4.00 going to college and the remaining $3.20 left to spend on .25 cent movie tickets or a .5 cent coke.

Every chapter is a new tale of the kind of childhood that my kids will never see. Unlocked doors, neighbors looking out for each other, folks living and dying in the same town ("If you were not born, raised or going to die in the town, you were eternally a newcomer"), backyard camp outs, the latest comic book, and Kool-aid Popsicles.

The Superhero is his friend Bernie who is confined to his wheelchair because of cerebral palsy who he meets on his very first day of his paper route.

Rick was a compassionate boy and exactly what Bernie needed as well as the assortment of interesting customers who became Rick's friend on his newspaper route.

The cover depicts one Halloween when Rick dressed as Clark Kent, Bernie was Superman with his Dad's red long John's tied around his neck and Miss Lizzie (another customer) was Lois Lane with a pencil behind her ear. They handed out pumpkin loaf to the neighborhood kids. Would kids these days even take the pumpkin loaf?

This is a great story of the type of parenting that went on the 50 and 60's. Children were raised to be compassionate and respectful. This is a lost art and one I am always pushing in my own home with my 2 children.

I actually cried at the end when Rick goes home years later and visits Bernie, now in a nursing home.

In A Nutshell: The Sideyard Superhero is a fantastic book. If I had a rating scale I would give this book 5 out of 5 stars. Rick Niece is a wonderful storyteller. This is a book that should be passed down for generations. Great book club read, great summer read!!

Now for the Giveaway Details:

Prize Description: Thanks to the powers that be, I am able to offer a book to a lucky reader.

How to Enter: Leave me a comment and let me know what your favorite types of books are. (If this rule is not followed you will be disqualified).

Deadline: May 25, 2009 by Midnight

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A winner will be chosen by Random.org and notified within 2 days. You will have 3 days to claim your prize or another winner will be chosen.

Happy Reading!

Stock up on your summer reads - click the link below to order



With more than 40 years as an educator, Rick D. Niece, Ph.D. currently serves as the president of the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Ark. He, along with his wife Sherée, work to provide intellectual and cultural enrichment for the 675 students of the University, preparing them for graduate school and professional employment success as well as establishing lifelong values. Niece is currently working on part two and three of the “Life in DeGraff, Ohio” trilogy. For more information, please visit www.RickNiece.com.