What an overused expression THAT has become, but none is better to express the soul of the book I've just finished. Imagine what you would do if you did not have enough money to pay the most basic of bills. Now imagine having no money and 10 children. What if you had no money, 10 children AND an alcoholic husband who drank away his pay check? You're probably thinking some combination of birth control, divorce and job, but this is the 1950's and none of those things are really an option. How about, finish a jingle for Dr. Pepper and earn a "major prize"? That is exactly what Evelyn Ryan did in The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio (How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less).
Written by Terry Ryan, this is the true story of her mother Evelyn Ryan, her father Kelly and their 10 boisterous children. (And I DO mean boisterous! This is not the Waltons.) Evelyn was definitely given lots of lemons, but she was an extraordinary woman who found humor in almost everything life dropped in her lap and used her quick wit and great attitude to repeatedly save her family's bacon. Evelyn lived in the unique time period of the 50's and 60's when companies marketed products though public contests. She entered every contest available, and despite the poor odds, she was amazingly successful. She also succeeded in teaching her children to never give up, to love words, and strive for the best.
Defiance, Ohio is the perfect setting for this story, because it defines how Evelyn showed her children to live every day. Defy the odds, and expect miracles. Now, go make some lemonade and read this book!
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