In Growing Up New Orleans, Carole Bullock provides a rare and often humorous peek inside her family’s life as they paved the way for a new breed of New Orleanians.

With photos included, Growing Up New Orleans gives a past and present look at not only Bullock’s life, but also of the common ground—New Orleans. This collection of stories revolves around her childhood in the 1970s, and their remarkable friends and neighbors. She shares stories of the everyday lives of teenagers, bold in their desire for adventure as they found ways to sneak out and have beignets for breakfast or pet alligators for Christmas.

Wagner’s family were among the first settlers to brave the crossing of the Mississippi River, entering the new and exciting life in New Orleans as they landed in the West Bank neighborhood of Algiers. The narratives also reveal the fabric of the Omas in New Orleans, examples of which can be found in the schools.

The chapter, “White Bean Soup,” features an account of a family who overcame tragedy by showing that graces and giving can be found by serving a bowl of soup. The chapter, “The Charms of Ms. Shea,” tells about the drama teacher who changed the lives of many.