Hinsdale: The Summer of '58 (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780965434140)

The humorous exploits of the author when he was ten years old as three industrious kids spend their summer getting into all kinds of hilarious adventures in their hometown of Hinsdale, Illinois. Each chapter is a stand-alone short story and many episodes revolve around building projects of the narrator. Fifteen thrilling stories including, "The Train to Downer's Grove," "The Mysterious Talking Board," "The Soapbox Derby," 'Dr. Frankenstein, I Presume," and "The Candy Machine." The adventurous boys build a Ferris wheel and a candy dispensing machine for the neighborhood kids that gets them into hot water, not to mention what happens when fishing for piranhas and lost treasure in the nearby cattail swamp, a wild ride in a homemade soapbox, and a camping trip with a madman on the loose. Adults who grew up in the 50's and 60's will also love this book.