On the Outskirts of Normal Author:Debra Monroe "Having driven across the country to see her brand-new adopted granddaughter, Debra Monroe's mother says the first thing that comes into her head: 'I knew she'd be black, but not this black.' Monroe simply says, 'Mom, there's a blank in the baby book called Grandma's First Words.' The sly, dry humor of this-the offering of the second chance, the... more » reminder that everything, even the mistakes, will be written down-tells you most of what you need to know about Monroe's approach to life, and to memoir. Her generosity of spirit never fails her." -Marion Winik, author of First Comes Love« less