May 7, 2007

MINNEAPOLIS – In My Name is Child of God . . . Not "Those People" master storyteller Julia Dinsmore shares her vision of justice for the poor.

This personal and provocative look at poverty in America is shaped around the author's own engaging stories, song lyrics, and poems, including the well-known Call Me Child of God . . . Not Those People. The story of her growing up in a large Irish Catholic working-class family in Minneapolis, Minnesota, draws together the experiences of living in poverty, the role of the church and music in her life, and them many remarkable people who populated her life and the lives of her family.

The author describes economic hardship and social challenges as being as "regular as the turning seasons in my coming up years," and refers to her life in poverty as the "soil of my art." Through her stories and reflections, Julia Dinsmore puts a face on poverty and challenges readers to answer God's call to respond to poverty and its effects.

"Julia K. Dinsmore's book is a triumph of the human spirit over immeasurable odds. Her writing is a symbiosis of soaring poetry and the reality of hard driving prose that reminds the reader that in the United States today there is a war against the poor rather than a war against poverty. . . ." – The Right Reverend John Bryson Chane, D.D., Episcopal Bishop of Washington, DC.

"Julia Dinsmore will not allow us to hide behind the statistics of hunger and poverty in our county, protected by those dispassionate numbers. In telling their stories, and her own, Julia brings us face-to-fact with people who know poverty all too well. . . . " – Rev. David Beckman, President, Bread for the World.

Julia Dinsmore's anger, love, pain, and passion for justice ooze out of these gritty pages. . . . Yet, throughout, her generosity and hope shine through." – Andrew Kang Bartlett, Associate for National Hunger Concerts, Presbyterian Hunger Program PC (USA).

"Julia Dinsmore is . . . a unique . . . person who understands that each human being is special and precious in God's sight. . . . You will be uplifted and blessed by reading what she has written in these pages." – Millard Fuller, Founder, Habitat for Humanity and Founder & President, The Fuller Center for Housing.

"Bravo, Julia Dinsmore! . . . . This woman is one that leaves impression, exhorts to action, encourages that we can "do it," and at the same time look to enjoy the journey of the drama life can bring. Watch for her name, as I have no doubt that she is impacting a whole society in a way no person has done before. There's just something about her, a depth in a much deeper dimension. She's contagious in a profound way. I love Julia. The publisher hit a goldmine in this woman." – Jean Hertler, Cazenovia, WI, from Amazon.com.

"This inspiring collection of accessible stories and reflections are sometimes surprisingly touching, sometimes delightfully amusing, but always insightful and spiritually uplifting. You won't be disappointed." – The Reverend Canon Brian J. Grieves, Director, Peace and Justice Ministries, The Episcopal Church.

"Julia Dinsmore movingly describes the hardships, frustrations, and humiliations experienced by the poor. Told in prose, poetry, and song, she articulates with humor and common sense the need for justice and removal of the barriers, hoops, and attitudes encountered by the poor at every turn." – Jane Hanna, former President of the Witherspoon Society and Hunger Action Enabler Presbyterian Church USA.

." . . Woven throughout these pages of fascinating stories and first-person anecdotes is the strong and affirming message that God's people bring hope and healing to others, in the name of the healing Christ." – Dr. Richard Bimler, past President and current Senior Staff Associate, Wheat Ridge Ministries.

Julia K. Dinsmore is a freelance writer, storyteller, and singer/songwriter. As a child she lived in poverty and as an adult she has found herself living below the poverty line. Her riveting stories, songs, and poems reveal what it is like to be poor in America. Articulate, with a clear vision, and endowed with a marvelous sense of justice and humor, she makes frequent presentations to college classes, church groups, and civic organizations. She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

My Name is Child of God . . . Not "Those People," By Julia K. Dinsmore, Price: $13.99, Format: Paperback, 5.5" x 8.5," 160 pages, ISBN: 978-0-8066-5624-3, Publisher: Augsburg Fortress.

To order My Name is Child of God . . . Not "Those People" please call Fortress Press at 1-800-328-4648 or visit the Web site at http://www.augsburgfortress.org/.

Augsburg Fortress