Crushing Soft Rubies: A Memoir, 10th Anniversary Edition

Crushing Soft Rubies is a powerful coming of age memoir about the early life of Janet Stickmon. I admit that I was looking for a tale about growing up Blackapino because I am always curious as to the perspective my kids will develop. Although, Crushing Soft Rubies does give some insight on that issue, Janet's narrative is much more than that. It is about faith, family, race, loss, love. It is an American story!Blackapina (Blackamerican father and Filipina mother) in America, Janet's normal teenage life was sent into a whirlwind by a series of life-challenging events: at 13, her house burned down; at 15, her mother died and her senile father was admitted to a nursing home; and at 18, she was kicked out of her relative's house and her father died. In addition, by the age of 21, she still had never had a boyfriend or even been kissed, a fact that can cause feelings of abnormality in a society that views teenage dating as very normal. To compound matters, an "orphaned" Janet found herself going between cultures yet not feeling fully accepted by neither. Yet, she continued up her path and eventually graduated from the University of California Irvine and went on to study at the Franciscan School of Theology in Berkeley.What is it that kept her going in circumstances that would overcome the average American teen? Faith and a family of the faithful. No matter what religion you believe in, Janet Stickmon's conviction is admirable to those who believe themselves to be among the faithful. Finally, while at FST, Stickmon's life begins to develop purpose and belonging as she finds "family", identity, and love.Ultimately, Crushing Soft Rubies is a great read about a very human story. It is a must read for those interested in faith and struggle, identity and belonging, and loss and love.

Great story. Easy to understand. Everything covered in my Child Family and community study course.

I have been lucky to have had Prof. Stickmon as my instructor. I have taken two classes at a Bay Area college with her. She's a great instructor. "Crushing Soft Rubies: A Memoir" is an insight of her upbringing as a Blackapina (African American Father and a Filipina Mother). Loved this book and her newest one as well , "Midnight Peaches, Two O'clock Patience. Read them both!

Very good