Jim Melvin (author of The Adventures of a Florida Boy):

5.0 out of 5 stars From Cracker cowboys to coastal dreamsReviewed in the United States on August 1, 2025

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Michael Taylor’s memoir of his boyhood growing up in Florida’s interior as the son of a “Cracker-cowboy” is an eye-opening chronicle of a bygone era wrought with delights, dangers, and unexpected sorrows. “Growing Up Floridian” is worth the read just to appreciate Taylor’s prose, which is slick, savvy, and highly polished. As the tale continues, the memoir takes a turn to the sea when the boy and his mother move to the west coast of Florida. When you read this book, be sure to pay special attention to its epilogue, which is both profound and inspiring.