Aaron with Rico (2006)
““Growing up Twice: Shaping a Future by Reliving My Past by Aaron Kirk Douglas is a powerful and memorable book. It’s a spellbinding, unusual memoir that explores the relationship between a middle-aged man and his teenage protégé, a book that is laced with wisdom and insight, both exciting and entertaining at the same time...The reader is transported into a world where brotherhood is defined, where fatherhood takes on a new perspective, and where friendship develops in the midst of harrowing trials. The story is beautifully written, insightful, and loaded with metaphors and a witticism that will interest readers...Mr. Douglas’ writing is stellar, his narrative voice compelling, and his story filled with emotional depth. This book will change the way we look at the less fortunate people we meet along the way, a powerful testimony that we can become the best we can be and, by so doing, become an inspiration for others.””
Featured April, 2016 - Oregon Jewish Life Magazine:
Big Brother Writes "Manual" for Growing Up
Clarion Review
"This is a raw, honest, and inspirational memoir. . . a story that is powerful and heartfelt, and certain to appeal to a wide variety of audiences." - Clarion Reviews
KIRKUS REVIEW
A 40-something Oregon man writes about his yearslong experience with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program in this debut.
Douglas was living on a houseboat in a fairly posh part of metropolitan Portland in 2005 when he decided that he wanted to make a difference by helping at-risk youth. He’d seen a booth for the Big Brothers Big Sisters program at the Portland Pride Festival, was intrigued, and signed up. He was matched with Rico, a 12-year-old whose mother was an immigrant from Guatemala. At the time, the quiet, reserved Rico was living in foster care and had no objection to the match. Thus began the six-year-long story of their relationship, with early Frisbee games and movies evolving into Douglas playing a much greater role in Rico’s life, including attempting to steer him clear of gangs and drugs and to ensure that he graduated from high school. Although a Big Brother’s role is mainly to listen and be a friend, Douglas’ micromanaging approach was sometimes baffling to Rico, the author writes, as were his emotional demands.
Douglas intersperses flashbacks to the 1970s throughout the Big Brother narrative and relates chilling tales of growing up gay in a strict, religious home. He also relates the story of Russell, his childhood friend and de facto bodyguard in school—a heroic figure who unfortunately descended into a life of crime. Douglas’ book does a beautiful job of connecting the past to the present, particularly in the sections that depict his blossoming relationship with his parents as they aged.
His memories of being a gay teenager in the ’70s are also full of engaging personalities, sometimes monstrous and sometimes beautiful, which make the story hard to walk away from. As Rico grew up and Douglas’ involvement increased, the author broke a few Big Brother rules, particularly when he helped Rico out financially.
Even so, Douglas’ compelling story moves toward a conclusion that’s a genuine testament to his tireless dedication to his Little Brother.
A moving memoir about struggling to form personal relationships in turbulent environments.
Pub Date: Jan 1, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-9970501-0-3
Page count: 286pp
Publisher: Newsworthy Books
Program: Kirkus Indie
Review Posted Online: Jan. 12th, 2016
About the Author
Aaron Kirk Douglas is a life-long creative, a passionate philanthropist, and award-winning mentor with over a decade’s experience in mentoring at-risk youth. A journalism graduate of the University of Oregon and former marketing director at some of the largest and most prominent law and commercial real estate firms in the Pacific Northwest, Douglas is also an award-winning documentary filmmaker, whose film Monster Camp was lauded by Variety.
Expertise & Awards
Board member, and 10-year volunteer with Big Brothers/Big Sisters Columbia Northwest (Portland, OR)
Top three finalist, national mentoring recognition from The National Mentoring Partnership (2015)
Recipient of one of Oregon's highest individual honors for outstanding personal achievement in volunteerism in support of low-income children and families. (2011)
Nominee, National Big Brother of The Year (2010)
Book Facts
Growing Up Twice: Shaping a Future By Reliving My Past
Publisher: Newsworthy Books, USA
Print: Kindle: Publ. Date: 01/01/2016
Media kit: Sources
ISBN 978-09970501-0-3, $14.95, 238 pages, 5.25" x 8" paperback
ISBN 978-0-9970501-8-9 $3.49E-Book
RELEASE DATE: January 1, 2016
http://www.newsworthybooks.com/media-kit
KATU – AM Northwest (2/14/11)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AJtxMrfLIo&feature=player_embedded
Interview for documentary https://youtu.be/Jbn_QJFTASc?t=1m37s
(The above video interviews feature Douglas’ Little Brother’s real name, which has been changed to “Rico” in the book, at his request.)