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  MARSHFIELD DREAMS

  “Written with sagacious eloquence and gentle humor, this work stands strong in the ranks of authors’ memoirs and autobiographies.”

  —School Library Journal

  “Boisterously good times.”

  —Booklist

  “Charming.… Sensitive glimpses of a close-knit, traditional family.”

  —VOYA

  “This scrapbook of family moments is an amusing, charming and heartwarming memoir. A snapshot of small-world life that will open readers’ eyes to the bonds of a peerless time and simpler lifestyle.”

  —Kirkus Reviews

  GUY WRITE

  A Tri-State Review Committee Book of Note

  “Important reading for teachers as well as budding guy writers.”

  —BCCB

  “Encouragement and instructive pointers in a package guy writers will enjoy.”

  —Kirkus Reviews

  “A good guide for anyone with a penchant for storytelling, but especially those who trade in ‘spoofs, humor, sports, blood, farts [and] giant monsters tearing down the city.’”

  —Booklist

  About the Author

  Ralph Fletcher is the author of a wide range of books for young readers, from picture books through novels, including his memoir Marshfield Dreams: When I Was a Kid and Guy-Write: What Every Guy Writer Needs to Know. He also writes books on writing, including How to Write Your Life Story and Live Writing. He lives with his family in Lee, New Hampshire.

  Visit him online at ralphfletcher.com, or sign up for email updates here.

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  Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Notice

  Dedication

  Map

  Introduction

  Buffalo

  Soggy Eyes

  The In-Betweener

  Marsh Field

  Pocketful of Trouble

  Big Brother Shadow

  Boy Scouts

  Daydreamer

  Transistor Radio

  Square Dancing

  Gwen Givvens

  Funsies and Keepsies

  Mushrooms

  Cousins by the Dozens

  Sky Hook and a Bacon-Stretcher

  The Marshfield Fair

  Poetry

  November 22, 1963

  Driving at Night

  Smoking

  The Language of Laughter

  All-Chocolate Necco Wafers

  Bird’s Nest

  On the Back of the Bus

  A Conflict of Interest

  Moving

  The Other Fletchers

  The Earthworm

  The Final Fletcher

  Epilogue

  Also by Ralph Fletcher

  About the Author

  Copyright

  Text copyright © 2018 by Ralph Fletcher

  Map copyright © 2018 by Jennifer Thermes

  Henry Holt and Company, Publishers since 1866

  Henry Holt® is a registered trademark of Macmillan Publishing Group, LLC

  175 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10010

  mackids.com

  All rights reserved.

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Names: Fletcher, Ralph J., author.

  Title: Marshfield Memories: more stories about growing up / Ralph Fletcher.

  Description: First edition. | New York, New York: Christy Ottaviano Books/Henry Holt and Company, 2018. | Sequel to: Marshfield Dreams.

  Identifiers: LCCN 2018004256 | ISBN 9781627795241 (hardcover)

  Subjects: LCSH: Fletcher, Ralph J.—Childhood and youth—Juvenile literature. | Fletcher, Ralph J.—Homes and haunts—Massachusetts—Marshfield—Juvenile literature. | Authors, American—20th century—Biography—Juvenile literature. | Marshfield (Mass.)—Social life and customs—Juvenile literature.

  Classification: LCC PS3556.L523 I6 2018 | DDC 811/.54—dc23

  LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018004256

  Our eBooks may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at (800) 221-7945 ext. 5442 or by e-mail at [email protected].

  First hardcover edition 2018

  eBook edition November 2018

  eISBN 9781250187772