Title: Growing Up in Mister Rogers’ REAL Neighborhood
Author: Chris Rodell
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 978-1-5320-8083-8
Pages: 200
Genre: Biography/Autobiography/Memoir
Reviewed by: Carol Davala

Read Book Review

Latrobe, PA with its controversial name pronunciation, is the birthplace of the banana split, Rolling Rock beer, and the legendary golfer, Arnold Palmer. But perhaps more noticeably in light of the recent biopic release of “It’s a Beautiful Day in The Neighborhood” starring award-winning actor Tom Hanks, and Eddie Murphy’s satiric reprising SNL role in a sketch featuring the favored iconic, sweater-clad character, it harbors an even greater honor. With Chris Rodell’s poignant release of Growing Up in Mister Rogers’ REAL Neighborhood: Life Lessons from The Heart of Latrobe, PA, this hometown hub will forever be known as the birthplace of one of history’s best and most beloved role models. While not merely a book about the renowned Fred Rogers, Rodell weaves the essence of Rogers into the chapters to expose how his prevalent and important life’s work and philosophy fostered both the bloodline of a community, and also the world at large.

This threefold work is a heartfelt offering of Latrobe’s influence on Rogers, Rogers’ influence on Latrobe, and how both influenced Rodell. Here we learn how Fred Rogers seemed destined to become a heroic figure. Marked by a life of privilege, an incident of Rogers being followed and harassed as a youngster, left him with an indelible memory that shaped his outlook on bullies, and a world short on empathy. His legacy of kindness, compassion, and humanity have proved a major influence on the community of Latrobe, and residents and visitors alike feel the impact.

Rogers’ childhood home has become a popular tourist photo-opt, along with an easily recognizable bronze likeness sculpted by Jon Hair. Fred Rogers Center at Saint Vincent College has opened a state-of-the-art hall, dedicated to preserving the lofty standards for teaching and nurturing set by Rogers. Even the interactive Idlewild and Soak Zone Amusement Park is home to Rogers’ conceived “Neighborhood of Make Believe”. It includes a life-size trolley that Rodell once had the opportunity to drive, as his own childhood imagination wished it airborne.

Rodell’s own soulful insight into Rogers proves a balm in tough times. Here he details a story of one self-described “World’s Angriest Man” who couldn’t help but change his attitude after a chance encounter with Rogers. Another reveal explores the country’s opioid crisis and its hastening efforts to darken the sunshine of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. In the early ’90s Rodell wrote a piece for the National Enquirer about Rogers’ son’s stint in rehab. Through the visit, this world-famous dad demonstrated his ability to show enormous compassion for those struggling with addictions.

From a more personal perspective, Rodell also weaves both poignant and humorous narratives covering topics as varied as staged funerals meant to convince survivors that you were well-liked, small town funeral etiquette, and free-reign obituaries; to the lasting memories of model teachers; life lessons on friendship, bullying, father/daughter relationships; and chuckle-inducing moments involving his own random acts of kindness.

While Chris Rodell may not be a true Latrobe native, his transfer there as a young journalist allowed him the opportunity to live, work, and raise a family in the community-minded enclave. Clearly, he considers it his adopted hometown. And like the messages of kindness, patience, and understanding that permeated the nostalgic “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” show viewed by generations of youngsters, Rodell considers Latrobe not only the place where he learned the value of friendship, loyalty, and empathy, but it is where he also absorbed the essence and spirit of a glorious and giving community. Amidst the tangible life lessons, Rodell reveals his own recent diagnosis regarding a serious health issue. With humor, aplomb, and spouting the therapeutic value of concerned community hugs, Rodell seems to take his precarious future in stride. With his “kick-the-bucket” list he’s forging ahead. Perhaps the most valuable lesson is shared in his thought ” … you can find peace, contentment, love, hope and happiness when you choose in your head and commit in your heart to living the Fred Rogers’ way.” In this mixture of history, biography, and memoir, Rodell’s genuine, approachable writing proves a heart-warming, sincere, and honorable tribute to a town that exudes the qualities of a kind, compassionate, and remarkable individual who truly captured the hearts and minds of the world, but particularly of those who considered Mr. Rogers’ neighborhood their own. With its hometown charm and civility, it’s a beautiful place, and this is a beautiful book.