An honest and raw memoir, Clane Hayward takes us on a journey through the landscape of a turbulent time in the world which was also her childhood.

She tells us of growing up in communes, being shuttled between two parents, both free spirits, and trying to make sense of a world seemingly without boundaries or roots. Oftentimes Clane and her brother were left to their own devices to raise themselves, and each other.

Clane never blames the adults in her life, nor does she ever make excuses for them. She accepts them as she does her childhood. She takes what she was given and makes the very most of it. She is to be admired for this, and for the many things she imparts through her story.

Clane’s memoir will make you feel many things, and stay with you long after you close the book. ( )

A beautiful book about childhood. Set in the communes of California and New Mexico in the 1970s, this book offers a different view of a period which is normally portrayed as an idealistic time. In contrast, this book offers a depiction of absolute poverty, as shocking as that in any tower block., parental neglect and constant hunger. However, it isn't entirely bleak and left me anxious to find out what happened to the author next. I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment of her life story. ( )

This is an upcoming Fall release from Chronicle Books. I was pleasantly surprised by it - the author recounts a few years of her decidedly non-traditional upbringing in Northern California (think camping in abandoned fields, macrobiotic food, and a complete lack of knowledge of - or access to - basic hygiene). She very accurately captures the language and attitudes of her 13-year-old self. I hope this sells well enough to allow her publish the rest of her story. ( )