Premium Members Get 10% Off and Earn Rewards Find Out More

Growing Up Twice: Shaping a Future by Reliving My Past

Add to Wishlist

Growing Up Twice: Shaping a Future by Reliving My Past

eBook

$2.99

View All Available Formats & Editions

eBook
$2.99

View All Available Formats & Editions

Available on Compatible NOOK Devices and the free NOOK Apps.

WANT A NOOK? Explore Now

Buy As Gift

Related collections and offers

LEND ME^® See Details

Overview

While mentoring a troubled Latino youth, a man confronts memories of his own painful teenage years growing up gay in a small Oregon town. A Readers' Favorite 2018 Audiobook and 2017 Inspirational Book Award Winner -- this heartfelt memoir captures the life-changing power of unconditional love and perseverance.

Product Details
About the Author

Product Details

BN ID:	2940163723089
Publisher:	Aaron Kirk Douglas
Publication date:	01/01/2016
Sold by:	Draft2Digital
Format:	eBook
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Aaron Kirk Douglas has been mentoring three half brothers since 2006 through Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

He has twice been nominated for national mentoring awards and is the recipient of one of Oregon's highest honors for his volunteer work with low-income children and families.

From the B&N Reads Blog

Page 1 of

Editorial Reviews

2016-01-12
A 40-something Oregon man writes about his yearslong experience with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program in this debut. Douglas was living on a houseboat in a fairly posh part of metropolitan Portland in 2005 when he decided that he wanted to make a difference by helping at-risk youth. He'd seen a booth for the Big Brothers Big Sisters program at the Portland Pride Festival, was intrigued, and signed up. He was matched with Rico, a 12-year-old whose mother was an immigrant from Guatemala. At the time, the quiet, reserved Rico was living in foster care and had no objection to the match. Thus began the six-year-long story of their relationship, with early Frisbee games and movies evolving into Douglas playing a much greater role in Rico's life, including attempting to steer him clear of gangs and drugs and to ensure that he graduated from high school. Although a Big Brother's role is mainly to listen and be a friend, Douglas' micromanaging approach was sometimes baffling to Rico, the author writes, as were his emotional demands. Douglas intersperses flashbacks to the 1970s throughout the Big Brother narrative and relates chilling tales of growing up gay in a strict, religious home. He also relates the story of Russell, his childhood friend and de facto bodyguard in school—a heroic figure who unfortunately descended into a life of crime. Douglas' book does a beautiful job of connecting the past to the present, particularly in the sections that depict his blossoming relationship with his parents as they aged. His memories of being a gay teenager in the '70s are also full of engaging personalities, sometimes monstrous and sometimes beautiful, which make the story hard to walk away from. As Rico grew up and Douglas' involvement increased, the author broke a few Big Brother rules, particularly when he helped Rico out financially. Even so, Douglas' compelling story moves toward a conclusion that's a genuine testament to his tireless dedication to his Little Brother. A moving memoir about struggling to form personal relationships in turbulent environments.

Kirkus Reviews

Related collections and offers

Overview

Product Details

About the Author

Related Subjects

Customer Reviews