Blue Popsicles

By Neanni Y. Ife

Book Overview

Blue Popsicles chronicles the 11 years NeAnni Ife spent in the Ohio Soldiers' & Sailors' Orphans' Home in Xenia, Ohio, an institution admired for its palatial buildings, high academic standards and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1591600286
• ISBN13: 9781591600282
• Release Date: April 2002
• Publisher: Xulon Press
• Length: 252 Pages
• Weight: 0.68 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.6" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

I Was There, Too!

I read "Blue Popsicles" and was very moved--it sure brought back a lot of memories. You did a great job!!! I feel that you said out loud things that most of us just don't talk about and probably try not to think about. I believe that anyone who spent any time in Peter Pan during the 1950-1960 time frame has horror stories they could tell. But we all have a different story. It's my opinion that in Peter Pan we were all abused, but we were all abused in different ways. I believe your book softened the cruelty somewhat; it was sometimes much worse. My Peter Pan experience was an abusive, humiliating, degrading experience from which I have NO happy memories. I totally agree with your unhappiness during those years. All of us former Peter Pan kids will carry some scars forever.

Swelling With Pride

As I read the book, I could not help but swell with pride. Ms. Ife is my baby sister and as a resident of the orphanage, the book hit me in special ways. Both as a reader, an orphan and as a sister. I can tell you that the book is truthful. However, in the context of a book I realize that you cannot tell it all. Therefore, I await with baited breath for the next book. Perhaps, she will continue to tell the long story that she alone has seen fit to tell. As children we had to do what we could to survive what seemed to me as an insane system. Neanni, survived and survived well. There is an old saying, "it is not that you have succeeded but what you have overcome to succeed." And so for that reason, I am most proud of my sister. Oh yes, I know of the tears that she (and all of us cried) during those years and often afterwards. Because she is five years younger (than I) she didn't really know our parents. And that in itself was difficult for her. While reading the book, I could not put it down. I was able to read it in one day. Often shaking my head at what I had known yet seeing it in print was almost unreal. Emotions came upon me causing me to think what should I could I have done for my sister. But then as I child often-missing movies because I tried to "take up for her" there was little that I could do. Being in the same situation what could a child do for another child? I would encourage everyone to read the book. It bespeaks of things that most people could not imagine. As adults and parents I think that this book should cause everyone to rethink how we deal with parentless children. Regardless of the lack of parents or homes they "we" are still human and should be treated as such. The book should cause us all to think about how we view foster children and children in general who are in care. And lastly, for my sister I say to you and to all who read this, I am proud of you. People deal with things in different ways and you had to find your way. And found it you did. I chose to believe that our mom and dad would be proud. Proud that you "rose" you rose above what was meant to keep you down. Daddy was a proud man, a man who stood tall (with no education) but proud. You go ahead. Keep your head up and continue to be proud, proud that you are your daddy's child. You were validated along time ago, before we ever went to the "home." How do I know that? My daddy, your daddy said so. Not in plain words but the best that he knew how to say it. You just didn't write the book to relieve yourself of the past. But I believe that you wrote it( not knowing) that it would be of help to others. Come on now, don't keep me waiting. I'm ready for part two, and tell it all. "Nancy" was always a bookworm, and was always very smart. I didn't expect anything less from her. As readers, I am sure others will understand why I am SWELLING WITH PRIDE. Dean Gibson Wallace

Life in an Orphanage

A spellbinding and riveting chronicle that fosters many more questions and begs for more stories. This is an unbelievable and emotional story of one person's experience and her own search for answers, healing and way to a better life. Written with humor, love and pain, an insight to life firsthand on growing up in an institution in the '50s and '60s. This is a preserved piece of history of life in an orphanage. A 'should be' required reading for all in the social and psychology fields and a great learning for those exploring options for children in the social system.

Blue Popsicles

This is a must read. It is the best book I've read in a long time. I laughed with Nancy, I cried with her, but most of all I was amazed at her resilience. It is amazing to me that a child who was so young and part of such a hostile environment was able to come through with any kind of sanity. I applaud Ms. Ife and her new found freedom in Christ. Her struggle and experiences would lead many to believe that there is no God. It was a blessing to know that although she had many questions, she still opened her heart and soul to God. This is a book that can assist many who are going through difficult times. It is indeed a must read. I plan not only to tell everyone I know about the book, but to buy several copies to give to them immediately, so they don't forget the title or say I can't find it or forget to go get it.

Blue Popsicles

This book is a must read for anyone who appreciate affirmation in their life. What touched me in this story most on the surface was a child that in the beginning had so much when it came to family, siblings who shared with and loved her, a mother who was nurturing and devoted, a father who knew his duty was to take care of his family, and then everything changed so suddenly so completely and that I wanted so much to protect her!I shared Nancy's experience, her confusion, her belligerence, her devotion, her stubbornness, her hesitance to trust. I wanted so much to join that story and take care of her and tell her that she was special.I think that anyone who picks up this book will want to finish it as if they could make her circumstance all right by not abandoning her to go and cook dinner, walk the dog, or watch TV.