By age four-and-a-half, Shirley "Sorahlah" Barasch shows artistic gifts: writing 'pomes' before she can spell or pronounce the words; playing the 'pyeano' by ear-her "parlor trick" according to her father. But suddenly tragedy strikes Thrown into a strict religious social order not ready for a woman-let alone a young girl-to be independent and creative, Sorahlah adapts on the fly. She re-orders her daily routine squeezing in piano lessons, writing music, and poetry-often on the sly by flashlight under the covers-in order to achieve her dream. Shirley invites the reader on a visual and sensory journey of a gifted, determined girl through the depression and World War II years in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. We meet unforgettable characters through the Squirrel Hill section-bakeries, synagogues, schools, businesses, riding the trolleys, forbidden backyard shortcuts and even Kennywood Park in vivid details. The trip will be at once nostalgic and fresh as we travel along with that child on a heart stopping adventure of a budding artist coming of age. For Professional Purposes: An Artistic Journey is a testament to the power of the determined will in all of us. This celebration of family life includes a chapter of comfort food recipes and funny anecdotes. Shirley's story is both humorous and touchingly sad-an emotional roller coaster ride you'll not soon forget