“Fred” certainly is a voice needed now. The zeitgeist of our country at this present time is so negative we need to be reminded of what it is to be human. Thank you “Fred” for reminding me on each page of the human elements of kindness, understanding, hope, forgiveness, and love. Most importantly is the guidance and inspiration provided by our parents, family members, and friends. It is through them we gain the virtues of human beings. So many lessons to be learned from “Fred” sharing his stories. I look forward to seeing this book on the cinematic screen one day. Enough of robots and automatons---time to get back to real life. Thank you Fran for your story.

I found the use of Fred as an observer and narrator to be a creative approach in presenting immigration to Buffalo’s West Side. The depiction of a succession of renters was enlightening and informative. It was also touching in how Fred described their lives, their happiness, their sorrows as they lived in the building and then moved to their own homes. I appreciated how Fred presented the challenges facing American groups find in the home and Fred. How individuals helped one another and cared for one another was quite touching. Fran presented sufficient historical markers such as the Immigration Act of 1924, the great depression, World War II to give historical reference to your novel’s narrative. The description of individuals was insightful and heartwarming, especially as they acted to assist one another in their effort to become Americans. Fred’s observations of his tenants was an effective tool for the reader to understand the challenges facing both foreign immigrants and migrants from the South to the North. I particularly found effective use of citing familiar landmarks such as Lafayette High School, the Buffalo Library, Bethlehem Steel and many other familiar sites on the West Side and other Buffalo institutions.
As I read, I forgot that I was reading a novel. I thought I was reading an historical account by an astute observer of individuals, often immigrants offering a meal and assistance to others, often of different nationalities and races.

The fact that any building has a story to tell, I find "FRED" to be the one in a dozen, that I have visited or heard from, the most complex story of love, drama, sadness and yet amazing with many mysterious stories, that perhaps only scratches the surface of "FRED's" history, and maybe with what we know from researchers and the author, allows our minds to wonder, and guess, what this extraordinary people gave to "FRED'S" walls, and gives us an extended story that takes us to places where our hearts and minds have never been.

Hello! My friend Sue had recommended FRED to me.I read it last year and LOVED IT! My cousin just read it and loved it too. Actually, my favorite book of the year. I spent a lot of time on West side in my childhood. I have always loved that building and the sister building. I was thinking that you would do a great job of writing a book about the Central Train Terminal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!If anyone could do it, it would be you! Have you considered this? Would you consider it? I loved FRED,such a touching story. I had Sicilian immigrants in the neighborhood. BUT I loved the stories of the tenants mingling and eating together and such a stranger experience for them. I never thought of that! You are a wonderful writer.I look forward to more "FREDS".

I read this book in two days! I couldn’t put it down. I loved learning about the different decades through the early immigrant days in Buffalo. This is why we are known as “The City of Good Neighbors”. Such a unique perspective , with uplifting messages, although all the tenants struggled in many ways but overcame so much as well. A delightful read, I encourage everyone to read