Bob Valenzuela The Hollister Pinnacle, May 29, 2002
"…No Steinbeck prose to romanticize the hard life…or to deify the poor… It would
make an excellent screenplay…"
Lewis Grizwold, The Fresno Bee, Visalia Week, May 11, 2002
"... The beauty of the book is that it could be the story of any child of
migrant workers from Oklahoma..."
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Teachers looking for migrant biographies will find this
book an excellent resource. Ron Hughart writes in a
comfortable "talkative" style. He makes the reader
ponder his own life and how events shape the way one
sees the world. The reader may also wince a time or two
pondering the lasting effects of childhood labels like
"sissy," "sickly" or "retarded." The book is a unique
mixture of sad and happy moments. But it is mainly a
story of how the human spirit triumphs over fumbling
school and family systems that are primarily concerned
with their own survival. These systems often fail
children, and that Ron eventually learns to fly is an
outstanding testimony to the indomitable hopes of a
child. An excellent read. |
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I had the pleasure of meeting Ron Hughart before ever
knowing he was an author. This provided me a truly
different perspective when reading this book. It was a
pleasure reading about Ron's childhood, coming of age,
and life experiences from a different generation than my
own. The book describes in simple terms Ron's daily
struggle with hunger, work, school, girls, and the
natural elements around him. There are many of "Life's
Lessons" to be learned through this author's own
experiences.
I'm sure this book will have special meaning to
migrant families and their descendants, but I am not
from that generation or geographical area and found it
completely satisfying. I could identify with almost
every David vs. Goliath experience described by Ron
(dealing with childhood bullies, overcoming poverty and
hunger, doing what's right in life over the wrong
thing).
I could probably count the number of books I have
read cover-to-cover on one hand. This is a book I will
read AGAIN! Thank you Ron for sharing "The Place Beyond
the Dust Bowl." The pleasure was all mine!
This is an excellent book. Once I started reading it I
didn't want to stop. The content was really engaging.
The writer done such a good job writing the book that I
felt like if I personally knew him once I was done
reading the book. I recommend this book to anyone who
hasn't read it. I learned many things by reading this
book.
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This book was required reading
in my English 1 class. I enjoyed
it very much, and learned a lot
about my own relatives who came
to California in the 30's. It
was very enlightening,
interesting and thought
provoking. I look forward to the
next book.
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I am very glad we had your book
as a mandatory reading in my
English 1 class. Not only was it
interesting, but it intrigued me
in my own families history. I am
also a descendent of Okies, my
grandparents came from Oklahoma.
It made me a little more aware
of the trials and tribulations
of the journey. I am very glad
my ancestors took the journey to
California. It was very
interesting to read about your
story and life in the Valley. My
father is now reading your book
and I will recommend it to any
other friends or family that are
ancestors of Okies.
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WOW! I just finished reading
this book for the third time and
I am still overwhelmed at the
author's generosity. To share
such a truly personal and
emotional story of his childhood
with us is a gift in itself.
I was born and raised in
Central California, in the heart
of agriculture, there were many
kids like Ron in my life while I
was growing up. This book will
make you stop, reflect and
wonder about those friends you
had for such a short time,
before they "moved on."
It's a wonderful piece of
California history and a
marvelous book no matter how or
where you grew up. What a great
story... an excellent gift for
giving! |
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An incredible book. I was captured by this story within
the first 3 pages! The author's vivid descriptions of
his survival (and ultimately, enrichment of self)
through harsh, yet realistic, conditions provides the
reader with an extremely personal view of what life was
like for many children in California during this time. I
highly recommend this book.
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Many other books I've read authentically reflect what
dust bowl people had to endure to survive and maintain
"hope." Ron Hughart's book is more of an autobiography
where he shares many similar stories, but at a later
date - one or two generations removed. It amazes me that
someone the age of my own children experienced the
"Grapes of Wrath" way of life - just trying to survive
by constantly moving on from one migrant camp to the
next. Hoping, looking for work of any kind just to stay
alive. Ron's book emphasizes the importance of "the
place" in their memories or their hope.
"The Place" represented land (usually 40 acres) to
plant seed, a home, a barn, a pond with fish, animals,
etc. Most remembered "the place" (even as share
croppers) or looked forward to it in the future - it
kept them going! Philosophically, basic needs were met
differently than many of us have experienced: Survival,
almost a full-time job under very trying circumstances;
New experience, hoping for a new and better life and
future; recognition - through all the suffering, a
constant showing of respect and politeness to each other
with a willingness to help their neighbors; Intimate
Response - the need for close relationships within the
family and without.
In The Place Beyond the Dust Bowl, Ron Hughart proves
to be a good story teller. When I started the book, I
found it hard to put down. It moves smoothly and
beautifully through experiences which gradually validate
him as to who he really is: The Place beyond the dust
bowl - a person who was diagnosed as "retarded" in the
second grade, but used his own life process to become a
person able to write a book! Many people helped to
nurture Ron. His parents: Dad - who worked hard, looked
for work or worried about finding work. a full-time job,
but able to keep the family together; Mom - kept the
family going - feeding, cleaning (many times under
horrible conditions), counselor and friend; Both -
living and teaching lasting family and life values. Mr.
Light - teacher at Panoche School with a total
population of 20 students - four of them Hughart's. Ron
writes, "...I liked .. Mr. Light ... because he praised
me... " Irvy - the hermit prospector and philosopher -
who taught Ron... "It's important to know that each day
is special and if you worry too much, time will pass
quickly, but if you enjoy today, time will seem to pass
more slowly. If you slow down and allow yourself to be
who you are, your thoughts will be more interesting and
special. In turn, you'll become more special and
interesting to others around you. Ronnie, a better life
is yours for the taking." Jim and Darrell - the cowboys
in Ron's life who taught him so much - not just out on
the range, but dealing with life experiences and how to
use them in building a sense of self-worth and
confidence.
Several personal quotations from Ron's book reflect
the process of "working through" his transition from
being diagnosed "retarded" to finding the "place" in
which he finds himself now - free to be himself and
continue his growth as an authentic person:
"... This move would prove to be the beginning of my
life's struggles with success and defeat. I was
embarking on a journey of rights and wrongs and a
catalogue of mistakes that would mold me into the person
I am today ... Living with the excitement of hope and
feeling the very real pain of hopelessness, I began a
trek of where the realization of assimilation and life's
lessons started for me. I withdrew from those around me
and lived within my own thoughts." "I decided right then
I was going to take Irvy's advise, listen to everyone,
and use only the parts I thought most helpful to me in
becoming successful." "I continue to exist, only able to
fantasize of a place where everyone could be happy and
proud."
Even though the details are different, I find it easy
to identify. It is a highly personalized story. Since
"that which is most personal is most common," it is no
wonder that it is easy to identify with this story. This
is a "good read," and, as a retired educator, I would
recommend it as a "must read" for Jr. High and High
School students as well as adults. |
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