A Nickel's Worth of Skim Milk: A Boy's View of the Great Depression

Shawnee Books

by Robert J. Hastings

Told from the point of view of a young boy, this account shows how a family “faced the 1930s head on and lived to tell the story.” It is the story of grow­ing up in southern Illinois, specifically the Marion, area during the Great Depression. But when it was first published in 1972 the book proved to be more than one writer’s memories of depression-era southern Illinois.

“People started writing me from all over the country,” Hastings notes. “And all said much the same: ‘You were writing about my family, as much as your own. That’s how I remember the 1930s, too.’”

As he proves time and again in this book, Hast­ings is a natural storyteller who can touch upon the detail that makes the tale both poignant and univer­sal. He brings to life a period that marked every man, woman, and child who lived through it even as that national experience fades into the past.

 

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Autobiography, History

168 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Years ago, maybe when I was in high school maybe middle school?, my grandmother gave me a copy of this book as well as A Penny’s Worth of Minced Ham. Being an avid reader, I know I read it then, though I don’t remember much of it. Being from Southern Illinois, I knew of Marion, but mostly knew my area of Randolph County and nearer towns to there. Little did I know, I would one day live in Marion. Coming back to this book now has been an interesting read. Now I know the buildings and the roads Robert J. Hastings mentions fondly. This is a wonderful little reflection book about growing up during the Great Depression in Marion.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE. i feel like this should be a classic must read for every person on the planet.
The perspective it gives. The real experience of the depression without dramatisation or preaching or acting like it was the best time and people back then were somehow better etc. Or how people today are spoiled rotten etc. How even in hard times they found things to be happy for and still spent money on entertainment and other soul nourishing happiness. Idk theres just so much greatness and social everyday history of the depression era.
I picked up a few great tips and sayings too. And thankfully there is a sequel but i think ill have a pause between books. It feels like something you wish to savour and not rush no matter how good just so you can fully absorb and soak in all the goodness.

[Kimberly DuBois · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book (a very old copy that had belonged to my grandma) takes during The Great Depression. It's a story of a young boy and his experiences through those years. It was very much a Midwest story - traditions unique to the area and sayings I often heard from my grandma - all things I grew up with and realized as I read that not everyone had the same upbringing. So for some, this story might not mean as much as it did to me - tragic in parts, funny in parts, and educational in parts. I loved the story and thought of my grandma often as I read - that meant a lot to me.

[Elyse Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a super quick read. I really enjoyed it, but was super taken aback that there wasn't a real plot; the book was just a bunch of non-chronological stories strung together in an effort to paint the picture of the Great Depression in Southern Illinois.
I connected with it because it is based in my home state. The way Hastings describes South IL as a place separated from everywhere else is kind of funny to me coming from Central IL because people coming from the rest of IL view Southern IL as a foreign, strange land, detached from the rest of the state. It does make me want to travel there, though. He made me want to experience, even partially, the world in which he grew up.
I loved learning about the ways families saved money and their value systems throughout that time period. Hastings did a wonderful job explaining games he used to play, his family's chores, the social life, as well as the language and normalities during that time. Of course, all of these anecdotes were followed about how much money was made or spent and how it affected the family's life.
While I was expecting a more chronological account of his time growing up, I didn't mind the jumping around. In a way it added to the fast pace of the novel. Hastings also included lessons learned and his personal growth, thought, and his own revelations of his experiences.

[Taylor Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book in my deceased grandfather’s home last year. I was intrigued by the cover and excited to learn about some of my Southern Illinois heritage. I really enjoyed this book. It was a little hard to follow with all of the names and jumped around a little, but overall it was a fascinating read. I’m excited to read the 2nd book. This will always be close to me as all of my grandparents were children in the Depression and were all from Southern Illinois (Benton, Mt.Vernon). My grandfather was a Pennington and his family battled with the Shelton gang mentioned. I found the ending bittersweet and took the words of wisdom to heart.

[Jaema · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up at the library, and I must say I was happily surprised with it. Usually when I read about the depression era I end up reading facts and statistics. This was the first time I read something about the depression that pulled me in and made me feel like I was there. It was refreshing to see what the average Joe was like in such a dark time in American history. Everything felt so raw and real while I read. The depression was a time where everyone was barely scraping by and the simplistic writing and bluntness helped capture that.

[Peter Pactor · Rating 5 out of 5]

For people who might be interested in the Great Depression, this memoire by Robert J. Hastings will be well worth the read. The reader can get insights into just how tough it was to survive the depression and how people improvised, compromised, and supported each other. I enjoyed the book tremendously and found it very interesting.

[Dorcas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this, I would read a few chapters (they're very short) before bed just as a peaceful nighttime routine and it was a relaxing way to finish the day.
It reminds me of that magazine series "The Good Ol Days". Just feel good stories from the past when times were hard but life was sweet.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book among some other books when cleaning out my parents house. While it may not be the most well written book, it allowed me a glimpse into what my parents and grandparents experienced during the Great Depression. I remember my dad eating sour grapefruit for breakfast most mornings. Now I know why. Very interesting read.

[Matt Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. Puts an interesting perspective on the Great Depression. Not living through it I’ve always thought how terrible it must have been. In the book it seems like they really made the most of a bad situation.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite the fact that there is no actual plot (and that the topical approach means that events aren't told chronologically), this book kept me turning pages. The author's voice is intimate and compelling.

[Shirley Klooster · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun to read about everyday life in a boy growing up during the Depression in rural middle America. Discovered that Depression era left even me with habits passed down from my family!

[Sharon Buxton · Rating 2 out of 5]

C-. nonfiction, memoir, Depression era, Illinois, Mom's stash, discard

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick and enjoyable read about a man’s boyhood memories of the Great Depression. Despite living through such scarcity and uncertainty, the book’s tone is upbeat and overall positive.

[Betty Holland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tells of the struggles of many people during this time period.

[Janis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A small memoir of a boy's view of living through the Depression years in Southern Illinois. very good for what it is!

[Rita · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short but very interesting look into the real lives of a family living through the Great Depression in the small town of Marion, Illinois. Sincere, thoghtful writing. So I will read the second in the series by Robert J. Hastings--A Penny's Worth of Minced Ham--and learn even more about life during the Great Depression in Southern Illinois.

[Cws]

JRef4

[Traci King Yakimisky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just dug out my autographed copy of this book. I remember reading this in 5th grade, my Grandma bought me a copy of the book after we read it in class.

[Michal Wigal]

A boy's view of the Great Depression. Kind of simple. Gave me some insights into my grandparents' behavior.

[Taney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book. Tells it like it was during his childhood and describes how things had changed by the time he sent his kids to college.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a treasure this little book is! A great read and I bet it would be especially fun to read aloud to a young boy.

[Guna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful reminiscence of Depression years in a small town of Illinois, told from the point of view of a young boy. Day-to-day struggles as well as joys are recounted.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little ramble-y at times, but still an enjoyable, interesting look at what growing up in 1930s America looked like.

[Bigdaddy Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book about the history of so. il.