The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less
by Terry Ryan
The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less by Terry Ryan holds a well received rating of 3.90 out of 5, based on 9.4K reader ratings. First published in 2001. The book spans 496 pages.
About The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less
Evelyn Ryan, wife of an alcoholic husband and mother of ten children, lived in a small town in a time and place when women did not seek jobs outside the home. When finances ran low, feeling desperate, she turned to her parish priest who suggested she "take in laundry." Ryan had to laugh at the advice because she could barely keep up with her own family's washing and ironing. A lesser woman might have succumbed to poverty, but she was determined to keep her family financially afloat and to teach her children that the life of the mind was important. In the early 1950s, Ryan started entering contests, composing her jingles, poems, and essays at the ironing board. She won household appliances, bikes, watches, clocks, and, occasionally, cash. She won a freezer, and several weeks later, she won a supermarket shopping-spree. When the family was faced with eviction, she received a $5000 first place check from the regional Western Auto Store. Ryan's unconventionality and sense of humor triumphed over poverty, and her persistence makes the reader cheer her on.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Terry Ryan |
| Published | 2001 |
| Pages | 496 |
| Genres | Non-Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Biography & Memoir, History |
| Average Rating | 3.90 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 9,380 |
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What genre is The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less?
The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less is categorized as Non-Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Biography & Memoir, History. Its primary genre classification is Biography & Memoir.
Is The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less worth reading?
Based on 9.4K reader ratings, The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less has an average score of 3.90 out of 5.00, which is considered "Well Received."
How many pages is The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less?
The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less has 496 pages.
Who wrote The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less?
The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less was written by Terry Ryan. It was first published in 2001.
What is the ISBN for The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less?
The ISBN-13 for The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less is 9780739416390.0.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
