by Shelly I. Blank (Author)

Growing Up Montana is a combined story of both endearing and staggering revelation. It is the true story of two very different people in one common place.

In these unfolding accounts which took place in the Montana of the 1970's and 80's, the two young kids about which this memoir is written, found their way in a "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" era where both stereotypes and childhood adventures ran wild. Before the internet and social media ruled the hearts and minds of youth, and during the continuing and fearful saga of Montana's only serial killer, both Shelly and Russ grew in the face of challenge, witnessing change in their unique rural landscape and the hearts of those around them.

Growing Up Montana will guide the reader through generational differences in the handling of traumatic events, and how our mindsets can mold and shape us as individuals. Blank vividly displays how much our sense of "place," and tradition can transform us, and ultimately how significant our big questions of faith and relationship serve as navigational grounding. The book offers an intentional set of study questions at the conclusion to guide readers in thought, as well as relational and personal growth.