Sofia's Stoop Story: 18th Street, Brooklyn: February 2017

On a stoop in Brooklyn, in the 1960s

Uncle Frankie begins telling Sofia and her cousins a story about the day he met one of his favorite Brooklyn Dodgers, Carl Furillo. Meanwhile, Sofia’s Nana is next door, preparing the Italian family’s Sunday dinner. Nana calls Sofia and sends her on errands to buy cheese, bread, and cannoli. Sofia returns to the stoop, only to discover that Uncle Frankie’s story is over, and it’s time to eat. When Uncle Frankie realizes Sofia is upset because she only heard bits and pieces of his story, he shares his historic tale from beginning to end, and he gives her a keepsake that he’s saved since 1947.

Maria LaPlaca Bohrer’s story reveals the 1960s, Brooklyn landscape through her own memories of Sunday dialogues with her Nana, her Uncle Frankie, and local merchants. She explores the warmth and consistency of intergenerational relationships in a typical, Italian- American family. Artistic team Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher capture the story’s colorful mix of memories and meatballs in vivid, collage-and-acrylic paintings.

Blue Marlin Publications
823 Aberdeen Road
West Bay Shore, NY 11706

Uncle Frankie and Me

I have had the privilege of educating children for the past 24 years. I have taught second grade, fourth grade, and remedial reading. I was also an adjunct professor of Literacy Acquisition and Children's Literature graduate and undergraduate courses for nine years. I love teaching! In my spare time, I enjoy reading, writing, cooking , decorating cakes, and frying meatballs for my family. My husband and I love spending time with our children, Erica, Kurt, and Brett; and our witty grandson, Dylan.

International Literacy Association's Reading Today

Thursday, February 2, 2017

PARP book reading and signing at Timber Point Elementary School, East Islip on 2/1/17