April Lurie
Dancing in the streets of Brooklyn is a story that
comes from my imagination, but it is also mixed
with the memories of my childhood and the stories
passed down to me by my parents and
grandparents.  The characters are fictional, but
some of them are loosely based on real people in
my family.  

Like Judy and Jacob, my parents grew up in the
Norwegian community of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, in
the 1940s. They experienced World War II on the
home front.  This was a time of great patriotism and
self-sacrifice. They enjoyed simple pleasures like
games of stickball with their friends, swimming in
the Sunset Park pool, and trips to Coney Island.  My
mother had a younger brother with a fantastic
imagination, much like Roy. My parents knew each
other from a very young age and later became high
school sweethearts.

While doing research on this time period, I called
my parents constantly, asking them all kinds of
questions on what it was like growing up during the
war.  They were always (I hope) happy to hear from
me.
My Uncle Roy - age seven, professional
street sweeper.  Charges one penny per
storefront.
My dad (Jacob), thirteen, trying
to look cool.  My mom (Judy ),
is in the background, ignoring
him.
My mom (Judy), age thirteen, on her
confirmation day.  Her parents (Ma
and Pa) on either side, and Roy
doing his best to make an awful face
and spoil the photo.