Shattered Dreams: My Life as a Polygamist’s Wife

Shattered Dreams: My Life as a Polygamist’s Wife

by Irene Spencer

Intended for Adult Audiences

Irene Spencer was raised in the Mormon Principle. Her mother was one of four wives and her father went to jail for polygamy. As she grew into adolescence she began to struggle with her beliefs. She was torn between marrying the man she loved and marrying into the principle.

In 1953 at the age of sixteen Irene became the second wife of Verlan LeBaron. At such a young age she was not prepared for the loneliness, the secrets, and the jealousy that accompanied multiple marriages. She was not allowed to share with her family and friends that she was married for fear of her husband being arrested. They ultimately moved to Mexico where she lived in shacks, trailers and broken down houses. Most of the time electricity and indoor pluming was a luxury she had to live without.

In the end she was one of ten wives, and she had thirteen of her husband’s fifty-eight children. She writes of her struggle between what was best for her and her love for her husband. Shattered Dreams is an emotional and fascinating narrative.

You can find a copy of Shattered Dreams: My Life as a Polygamist’s Wife by Irene Spencer in the New Book Section in the lower level of Kewanee Public Library.

Sarah R. Barth Kewanee Public Library, Youth Services

Teacher Man

Teacher Man: a Memoir by Frank McCourt

Intended Audience: adults and teens

KPL Book Club for Adults February Selection

Many may have read either of his two earlier biographies, Angela's Ashes or 'Tis. The more recent installment, Teacher Man documents the 30 year teaching career that Frank McCourt had prior to becoming published. This book brings out the unglamorous aspects of teaching, such as grading the papers of 175 students each week and having to deal with kids who would do anything to avoid a lesson. However, with wit and self deprecating humor, McCourt actually makes his profession sound like fun. His take on his students' motivations are extremely accurate, yet his fondness for them remains.

The book begins with McCourt's first teaching assignment at a vocational high school in New York where he makes many a misstep and is manipulated by his students into sharing tales of his childhood. He spends much of the book floundering and even tries to escape the life of a high school English teacher by pursuing a PhD but ultimately ends up working in competitive high school for gifted students. It is here that the book really takes off as McCourt begins teaching creative writing. His off-the-cuff teaching style should inspire many a fellow teacher.

The audio book version of Teacher Man is especially enjoyable as it is narrated by McCourt, who has a wonderful Irish accent.

3 copies of Teacher Man are available at the Kewanee Public Library (1 book in Biography and two audio books) Print and audio versions of McCourt's other books are available at the Kewanee Public Library as well.

Reviewed by Jill Gray, Kewanee Public Library