Growing Up As a Greek American

John Kallas's memories of growing up as a Greek-American in Newark are vividly recollected and retold in his stories. Some are so funny that I read them aloud to my husband (who is not Greek-American) and we could not stop laughing. Others are very touching. I couldn't help wanting to know more of his experiences and more about his life. A terrific book for all Greek-Americans and likely for the American children of other immigrants as well.

John Kallas, son of Greek immigrants, is a master storyteller who fulfilled the American dream by becoming an engineer, professor and playwright, but valued his Greek heritage enough to write this endearing memoir. Any child or grandchild of immigrants can relate to these anecdotes about growing up in a multicultural household, with its often hilarious consequences. I love the story about the day little Johnny sat down to do his first homework, inspiring his father to realize that he himself could get a secondhand education by having his son teach him everything he learned in school at the end of each day; and the day he offered to sing the Greek National Anthem in Public School but soon forgot the words, and filled in the blanks with the Greek names for various vegetables and articles of clothing, ending with his underwear, while his teacher and classmates stood solemnly at attention; and the time the first telephone arrived in a Greek household in their Newark, NJ neighborhood, and all the children gathered around in great anticipation, waiting for this modern miracle to ring...and so many other wonderful, funny, touching stories. This is a delightful book well worth reading.

I love this book. It is funny, warm, and thoroughly loving. This author is a fabulous storyteller who brings us into the world of a child from a different culture who learns to adapt to his American childhood while keeping the best of his Greek ancestry. I wish he had written more stories....