by Peggy Rowe
— Gary Kevin Jones, Grandson
“I enjoyed ballgames with Nana, but even more, I loved visiting Fleeton, Virginia, when she was there. We shared a love of crabbing. I can still see her wading through the sea grass with a dip net and a rope tied around her waist, towing an inner tube with a bucket for soft crabs.”
— Stephen Morris Jones, Grandson
“Aunt Thelma was my hero and my role model. She showed me that a woman could have a career and be independent if she chose. Whenever there was a problem, Aunt Thelma had a way of stepping in and making things right.”
— Nancy Kube Fine, Niece
Discussion Questions for Book Clubs by Marjie Rowe
We meet an older Thelma in the opening scene. What did you think of her? Did your first impression of her remain throughout the book or did it change?
You have met many of Peggy’s relatives. Whom would you like to meet and get to know better? Why?
What was the most compelling memory shared by Peggy in the book? Can you relate to it in a personal way?
What personal parallels can you make between the author’s upbringing and your own? Is it similar or different?
This book gives us a look at being raised in the 20th century. How is family life and childrearing the same now in the 21st century? How is it different?
Why do you think Thelma was so enamored with the Orioles? Discuss what Peggy maintains as her “two very different mothers living in the same body.”
The author compares herself to her mother throughout the book. Do you think they were truly so very different?
Discuss the family values portrayed in the book. Do they still hold true for today?
Would you want Thelma or Peggy for a mother? Why or why not?
How does the author’s use of humor enhance the readers’ empathy for the characters in the book?
What do you think was the most humorous memory shared in the book? Why?
What makes reading about Peggy and Thelma so appealing?
About the Author
KANJI TAKENO
After a brief teaching career, PEGGY ROWE was a stay-at-home mom to three sons: Mike, Scott, and Phil. She began writing in her 60s and has been published in newspapers and magazines since 2002. Peggy regularly contributes humorous texts, letters, and essays to Mike Rowe’s social media page, and she now has millions of followers. Having been blessed with rich material her entire life, she has finally produced her first book after a mere eighty years. Peggy lives in Baltimore with her husband of fifty years, John.
About My Mother
True Stories of a Horse-Crazy Daughter and Her Baseball-Obsessed Mother: A Memoir
© 2018 Peggy Rowe
All Rights Reserved.
No part of this book shall be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, magnetic, and photographic, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission of the publisher.
No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the information contained herein. Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher and author assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.
Jacket design by Bruce Gore | Gore Studio, Inc.
Jacket front images by iStock & Shutterstock
Jacket back Photo Courtesy of Lee Jeans
Published by Forefront Books.
ISBN: 9781948677165
ISBN: 9781948677172 (eBook)