Aunting

As contemporary families assume ever more complex configurations, this fascinating, deeply researched book demonstrates that aunts have become more important than ever.

~Steven Mintz, Columbia University, author of Huck’s Raft: A History of American Childhood

This place of kinship is a major role in the lives of many young people as they grow, and Laura Ellingson and Patricia J. Sotirin provide an expert analysis of this dynamic and its importance. Aunting is a fascinating twist on familial life, and makes for a very highly recommended read.

~Midwest Book Review

Aunting adds immeasurably to the newly emerging literature on families and kinship. This is a wonderfully engaging book brimming with insight.

~Robert Milardo, author of The Forgotten Kin

A delightful read. I found myself in a constant mental comparison between the personal quotes from aunts and nieces and my own experiences living these roles. Aunting is heartily recommended to anyone whose life has been touched by an aunt, niece, or nephew, and to readers interested in family communication.

~Lynn Turner, Professor of Communication Studies and Director of the Interdisciplinary Family Studies Minor, Marquette University