Downeyoshun
April 22nd 2025
Downeyoshun (down-ee-oh-shun):
Contraction of “down to the ocean” or “down to Ocean City.”
Sally Osterhoff is a genius. When she grows up, she wants to be a mathematician, a teacher, and a carpenter; and she plans to swim in the 1968 and 1972 olympics.
Her mother has other ideas, and will emotionally and physically abuse Sally to fit them. After all, she only wants what is best for her child. But between her father trying his best, the family next door who practically adopts her, and her Aunt & Uncle down in Ocean City where she spends her summers, Sally just might have the support and love she needs to make all of her dreams come true.
Set against the backdrop of the Civil Rights struggles, the Vietnam War, and the early Feminist movement, the story explores the power of found family, and how unconditional love can come from the least expected places. Downeyoshun is a not-always-sentimental vacation to the ’50s, ’60s, ‘and ’70s.
Bring your swimsuit.
Awards
Advance Praise
“Author Art Young has a deep sense of character and what makes people tick, and that results in this beautifully written and deeply moving portrait of resilience and self-discovery as we get to know Sally … Overall, Downeyoshun is a highly recommend must-read for fans of historical fiction that explores personal and societal transformation in realistic and engaging ways.”
–K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite
“Downeyoshun will grab your heart and make you smile as you watch little Sally blossom from a timid little girl into a woman uplifted by her family of choice.”
–Amy Wilson for Novels Alive – 5 star review and Reviewer’s Choice Award
“Arthur Young will introduce you to a special world, East Baltimore, and its vacation spot, Ocean City, with his warm Downeyoshun. Not that life is perfect – not all mothers are kind, and the VietNam war casts a shadow. But you’ll feel as if you’ve met new friends as you follow his characters through the challenges of growing up. In his skillful telling, the fabric of a family and a neighborhood comes to life. You may even find yourself becoming a Baltimore Hon!”
–Pamela Zerba, Contributor Atheists in America, Writer, Creative York Contest Winner
“Be prepared to fall in love with one of the most endearing literary characters of the century thus far. Ultimately, this is a book about family, the one you’re stuck with and the one you make. By the end, Sally will feel like part of yours. You will thoroughly enjoy your trip Downeyoshun.”
-Robert Akridge, Writer
Excerpt
Author Art Young reads and excerpt from Downeyoshun.