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Reviewed by Roy T. James for Readers' Favorite
Growing Up Alaska: Memories of a Town, a Time, a Place, and a People Planted in a Little Pocket of Wonderful by Niki Breeser Tschirgi begins with her move to Alaska as a little girl, with a truck, a hundred pounds of wheat, and a grain mill in tow. How that was a dream come true for her dad, and how she enjoyed the land in its pristine beauty; the more or less regular trips to her grandparents in Wisconsin during summer vacations find mention here. So is the excitement permeated by the Water Melon Days, games and dancing, the joy of unwrapping gifts for Christmas, and the fun of ‘airdropped’ ice-cream. She becomes philosophical also, “the odds are good, but the goods are odd.”
From the opening of this book, where Niki says “the reader may roll their eyes to read another Alaska story,” I was looking for a nondescript memoir. On the contrary, Growing Up Alaska turned out to be a surprise; it is an absorbing, vivid description of a life not many people will get to live. Having spent some time in Russia, I can relate to the excitement things like ice-cream and relishing it at subzero temperature can bring to a gathering. She becomes nostalgic too while visiting Alaska later, writing, “Memories rushed back, and my childhood rested before my eyes as I took in the glorious view.” This is an excellent read with delightful anecdotes, making me jealous of those who enjoyed their childhood in such surroundings.
