Yearbooks & YoYos: Crushing The '80s by Steven Manchester
Book 3: Surviving The '80s Series
Publisher: Luna Bella Media
Publication Date: April 29, 2025
Format: Paperback - 272 pages
Kindle - 1.4 MB / 246 pages
ISBN: 978-1737789987
ASIN: B0F2JCDRXV
Genre: Family Life Fiction / Coming Of Age
Buy The Book:
Amazon (Free On Kindle Unlimited Program)
Buy The Series: Surviving The 80s
Book 1: Bread Bags & Bullies
Book 2: Lawn Darts & Lemonade
Book 3: Yearbooks & YoYos
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Book Description:
From New England's Storyteller, Steven Manchester, comes the final installment of his nostalgia-filled trilogy about growing up in a whacky family during the 1980s. Boom boxes, leg warmers and Rubik’s Cubes—it’s all there. A hysterical walk down memory lane!
It’s the summer of 1986, a season of transition from childhood into young adulthood. The three brothers—Wally, Herbie, and Cockroach—are back at it and crazier than ever. While innocence gives way to higher expectations and responsibility, the boys discover that there’s no reason growing up can’t be insanely fun.
Praise For Yearsbooks & YoYos:
“Yearbooks & Yo-Yos is an amazing read—total leg sweep. I loved it!” – William Zabka, Actor, Karate Kid & Cobra Kai
“If only we could go back to our high school and college days in the 1980s. But we can, with author Steven Manchester who transports his readers to that awesome decade with his three books that act as a time machine. Steve lived the '80s, he writes the '80s, and he shares the '80s with his readers.” – George Austin, 80s aficionado & Editor, The Somerset Sentinel
“Steve Manchester's lovable characters take me right back to my beloved '80s with every page of his book. The era of hair metal, MTV, feathered hair and unforgettable movies is always safe in the hands of this master storyteller. Thank you, Steven, for another adventure back to the greatest decade ever.” – Steve Spears, Stuck in the 80’s podcast
“Yearbooks and Crushing the 80s is a nostalgic tribute to the 1980s, capturing the essence of coming-of-age teen experiences through the compelling journeys of Wally, Herbie, and Alphonse. Steven Manchester's masterful storytelling offers readers a heartfelt and nostalgic portrayal of family, laughter, and wisdom.”—Shannon L. Gonzalez, Literarily Illumined
“Steven Manchester has done it again! A brilliant author who truly knows how to make reading a full experience; In Yearbooks & Yo-Yos, he has set the path for us to ride our bikes down memory lane with relatable characters.” – Heather Skinner, Author & Host of Heather Skinner Book Club
My Book Review:
In Yearbooks & YoYos: Crushing The 80's, the final book in the Surviving The '80s series, Author Steven Manchester transports the reader back to the delightful coming-of-age tale that follows the crazy antics of brothers: Herbie, Wally and Alphonse "Cockroach," as they grow up in the '80s. From playing outside and going on fun adventures, the brothers continue to learn life lessons and transition from childhood to young adulthood during the summer of '86.
Yearbooks & Yo-Yos: Crushing The ‘80s is a poignant coming-of-age / family life story that will simply pull at all your nostalgic heartstrings. Author Steven Manchester weaves a richly descriptive tale about what it was like growing up in the ‘80s, eloquently capturing the ‘80s nostalgia with an amazing attention to detail that easily takes the reader down memory lane.
This was such a fun story, between the crazy antics of brothers—Wally, Herbie, and Alphonse—and the life lessons that come their way during the summer of '86. It is a wonderful tale of brotherhood, family, and growing up in the '80s, it transported me back to my own memories growing up during that time.
The author captures the era in such an amazing way that you can't help but laugh, smile, and remember all the nostalgia interwoven throughout the story. From the big hair style, to fashion, to TV shows and big hair bands, to the toys, and the adults sitting in the kitchen on a Saturday night smoking cigarettes and playing cards; it was like the author was a fly on my parents’ kitchen wall back in the day. The ‘80s was such a simpler time—a gentler world—without the craziness of technology and social media. It was a real joy to follow the boys’ summer fun, as well as the changes that come with growing older. But most of all, I appreciate their Ma’s life advice: ‘Live in the present, or you’ll miss the precious moments of your life.’ Thank you, Steven Manchester, for this special gift. The memories and nostalgia are exactly what the world needs today.
Yearbooks & YoYos: Crushing The '80s is an amazing story that is written from the heart. It is a must read that will make you laugh, stir your soul, and provide memories that will resonate with you for a very long time.
RATING: 5 STARS
About The Author
Steven Manchester is the author of the #1 bestsellers
Twelve Months,
The Rockin' Chair,
Pressed Pennies and
Gooseberry Island; the national bestsellers,
Ashes,
The Changing Season and
Three Shoeboxes; and the multi-award winning novels,
Goodnight Brian and
The Thursday Night Club. His work has appeared on NBC's Today Show, CBS's The Early Show, CNN's American Morning and BET's Nightly News. Three of Steven's short stories were selected “101 Best” for Chicken Soup for the Soul series. He is a multi-produced playwright, as well as the winner of the 2017 Los Angeles Book Festival, the 2018 New York Book Festival, the 2020 New England Book Festival, and the 2021 Paris Book Festival. When not spending time with his beautiful wife, Paula, or their four children, this Massachusetts author is promoting his works or writing.
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