This poetry book is a compilation of my life experience as a child growing up in the depression days of the early 1900's and beyond. I lived with my parents and a talented demanding brother, in a modest two story home on a street dominated by churches, logically named Church Street. I've included the most popular poetry from my writings and pray the reader will connect to my remembrance of the past. My diverse poetry will take you thru my childhood experiences, nightmares and all, from an early age in the forties when I played drums five nights each week of the summer at Mickey's Thirst Parlor in Pennsylvania. Some of my poetry is humorous, some to make a point, some dealing with good and bad domestic/international history, and some about religious belief, philosophy, love and miscellaneous things. Readers are sure to enjoy this book. This book is dedicated to Nancy, my wife, love and confidante, and written for our daughters Paula & Becky, and grandsons Chris & Matt. john r rossbacherr

Ollie Bentword, age thirteen, is a Dyslexic. He has great talent, but hisLearning Disability clouds his mind and self esteem.Betsy Burr, a year older and Ollie's neighborhood friend, understandshim better than anyone. She feels he's someone special, and plays a dominentpart in keeping Ollie's thoughts and deeds in proper perspective.Betsy and Ollie become amateur sleuths in a neighborhood murder case.Ollie's unique detective work produces a surprise conclusion to the mystery.Through a disciplinary encounter with School Principal Mr. Bombay, Olliedevelops a close student/teacher relationship with the School Band Director, Mr. Bachman, who asks Ollie if he would like to become the Band Librarian, and offers to give him free trombone lessons as payment. Ollie's fondest dreamis to play the trombone. With his parents permission he accepts.T.O.A.D. is the story of a Dyslexic who proves he is as smart and Socially Acceptable as any of his classmates. While sprinkling a generous amount of humor through the pages, the story reflects the anxiety, frustration, and anger in overcoming the many educational and social obstacles.The book shows that dyslexic people can be uniquely gifted. T.O.A.D. isan easy reading, fun mystery story.

Ollie Bentword, age thirteen, is a Dyslexic. He has great talent, but hisLearning Disability clouds his mind and self esteem.Betsy Burr, a year older and Ollie's neighborhood friend, understandshim better than anyone. She feels he's someone special, and plays a dominentpart in keeping Ollie's thoughts and deeds in proper perspective.Betsy and Ollie become amateur sleuths in a neighborhood murder case.Ollie's unique detective work produces a surprise conclusion to the mystery.Through a disciplinary encounter with School Principal Mr. Bombay, Olliedevelops a close student/teacher relationship with the School Band Director, Mr. Bachman, who asks Ollie if he would like to become the Band Librarian, and offers to give him free trombone lessons as payment. Ollie's fondest dreamis to play the trombone. With his parents permission he accepts.T.O.A.D. is the story of a Dyslexic who proves he is as smart and Socially Acceptable as any of his classmates. While sprinkling a generous amount of humor through the pages, the story reflects the anxiety, frustration, and anger in overcoming the many educational and social obstacles.The book shows that dyslexic people can be uniquely gifted. T.O.A.D. isan easy reading, fun mystery story.

This poetry book is a compilation of my life experience as a child growing up in the depression days of the early 1900's and beyond. I lived with my parents and a talented demanding brother, in a modest two story home on a street dominated by churches, logically named Church Street. I've included the most popular poetry from my writings and pray the reader will connect to my remembrance of the past. My diverse poetry will take you thru my childhood experiences, nightmares and all, from an early age in the forties when I played drums five nights each week of the summer at Mickey's Thirst Parlor in Pennsylvania. Some of my poetry is humorous, some to make a point, some dealing with good and bad domestic/international history, and some about religious belief, philosophy, love and miscellaneous things. Readers are sure to enjoy this book. This book is dedicated to Nancy, my wife, love and confidante, and written for our daughters Paula & Becky, and grandsons Chris & Matt. john r rossbacherr