Alida's Song

G. Paulsen, (1999). Alida's song.  NY: Delacorte Press.

This is the true story of when Gary Paulsen was 14 years old and spent the summer with his grandmother working on a farm for Gunnar and Olaf.  There are some amusing things that happen when he arrives.  The truck had no breaks and the goose attacks.  The farm is a new experience since there is not electricity.  He worked all summer and her received $18 each Saturday for his work.  The dances and that summer saved him, by receiving the guidance and love that he needed.

I remember spending time every summer with my grandparents and how this impacted who I am and what I became.  There are times when I am somewhere and a noise or a view take me back to those happy childhood times.  It's makes me smile to just think about it.

This story had me thinking about Havighurst's theory of development in that adolescents need to work for pay.  He is already working at home and his grandmother knows that he won't come out for the summer unless he is making money to help pay for things.  The fact that we was working for money and doing a job was very important to him.