5-STAR REVIEW: SHOEBOX BABY by Sharon Bruce

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About The Book

Publication Date: May 8, 2023

Shoebox Baby is a creative non-fiction story based on the life of Susan Fenton and her family. Sue was born in Nova Scotia on a blustery winter night in a crude weather-worn shack with dirt floors. Although the doctor told Sue’s mother that her baby would be dead before the morning, she made every attempt to keep her infant alive.

Sue and her siblings were born into poverty, survived the Depression and the fall-out of World War II, and contended with tuberculosis, unemployment and polio. This book is filled with family antics, joy, sorrow, laughter, and mystery, covering the trials, triumphs and hilarious exploits of the large and colourful cast of characters that is the Fenton family.

Sue’s courageous determination to live a full life, regardless of the limitations others imposed on her and the circumstances that came her way, made her a remarkably resilient woman.

Excerpt

The Review

A premature baby born into impoverished conditions defies the odds to demonstrate resilience to those around her.

That sets the stage for the story of Sue Fenton Wixson, as told by her daughter, Sharon Bruce, in Shoebox Baby.

The author details the challenges faced by young Grace Fenton, who, at age 28, had five children, with one on the way. The Great Depression and the ensuing years made life tough for the family, with the father working on the other side of Nova Scotia. Sue was born early, so small she could be held in one hand and kept in a shoebox.

The challenges the family faces, from polio to tuberculosis to extreme poverty, come to life as the story progresses. The shock treatments that young Sue endures to try and stimulate her limbs are incredible.

The conversations between characters are conveyed using a dialect specific to that place and time. It’s a bit difficult to read, but it adds a level of authenticity.

The author organizes the book into two parts, with the first one focusing on Sue’s birth leading up to her wedding. The second part highlights her life as an Air Force wife in France to the final move to Northern Ontario.

By the time I finished the book, I felt like I was part of the Fenton family, cheering on the sidelines as Sue lived her life to the fullest.

Shoebox Baby delivers a beautiful tribute to the author’s mother, who overcame a number of obstacles.

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About The Author

Writing has been Sharon’s passion since childhood. At seven years old she won first prize at a local fall fair for her story about a stuffed pink elephant. Since then, she was hooked. Articles, poems and the book Beyond the Forests of Yesteryears are part of her publishing portfolio. Curiosity mixed with a love of hearing and writing unique stories about others is the subject of her work. Some call it being darn right nosey, others call it vivid creativity. During her career she worked in the social services field with individuals, families, groups and organizations to address social and cultural issues. A significant part of her job included inspirational speaking and sharing stories. Sharon was raised in Northeastern Ontario, Canada, where she resides with her husband. Together they enjoy retirement and organizing activities for seniors, which includes writing and acting out comical skits for small audiences.