The nostalgic experiences in this book are about a young child and his family. The closeness they shared between the ages of three and twelve is seen in these chapters. Having two brothers and a sister growing up was very educational, entertaining, exciting and traumatic at times. It is a common story of true feelings of love and kinship experienced by many families; about a family in poverty and struggle, but enjoying the little things as though those times were alike for all. The father's insecurity brought about a shyness which became a part of Marty's personality. Viewed in this writing is the friendship of Marty and his siblings, but a main point that is displayed is the strength of their Mother, and her tenacity while raising four children by herself. The setting and time is the late forties to mid-fifties. It was a good time.