Your Grandma Wore Army Boots
Invented by 15-year old Ben Meyers
 

At 12, Ben used to pass the same elderly man named Donald each day while walking his dog in the park. Ben began talking with Donald, and realized that he and this octogenarian had the same passion for history. This fascinated Ben, because events that he loved reading about such as the Great Depression were things that Donald had lived through and could speak on from a first-person perspective. From these humble beginnings, Ben has gone on to collect oral histories from over 100 people, mostly patrons at his local senior center. He has realized how important oral histories are, and decided to write a book for kids on the subject. 

Ben’s book entitled, Your Grandma Wore Army Boots ... and other interesting things you can find out if you just ask, is a guide for kids about how to collect oral histories and why they are important. Senior citizens are a rich resource, as they have lived through many important events in their lives that need to be recorded and preserved. Most people Ben has interviewed have found it delightful and helpful, because the exercise jogs their memory and helps them recall important events in their lives. Kids doing the interviews also benefit, as their interviewees can help them grow closer to people of a different generation, whether it be a relative or someone they have just met. Ben’s book also explains how to conduct a successful interview, and the interview guide he typically uses is appended to the end of the book.

Ben was awarded the Amazing Kids! of the Month Award by the AMAZING KIDS! website in November of 2003 and highlighted by The Disney Channel in 'Check This Kid' Out segment.