PLEASE SEE ME a novel by Susan Berry
BACK IN STOCK! Signed by the author with a personal note... perfect for gift giving!
A journey through darkness to light, the story is told in seven voices including that of the protagonist Junior, who is murdered at seventeen, and unexpectedly turns hero upon his return to earth as a spirit. He finds himself in the Earthkeepers classroom on the day that a ten year old points an assault rifle at Mrs. Berry, his mind controlled by the demons Dilly brings to school.
Eleven year old Dilly is highly susceptible to the forces of evil. Under the influence of his Grandmother’s witchcraft for hire schemes, his mental health issues and history of family violence go unaddressed.
Kim Lee, the gentle “peace” officer struggles with societal and professional expectations. Aspiring to bring love and understanding to all he serves he must come to terms with his own inner torment as he witnesses the blighted lives of the families in his neighborhood; abuse and neglect, poverty, mental illness and addiction, and gun violence.
Mrs. Berry is a trauma-sensitive educator whose social emotional learning program for at-risk elementary school students is called Earthkeepers. Skilled at redirecting children's reactive behavior and teaching love and kindness as a way of life she understands all too well that children today grow up in a world that can be scary, dangerous, and violent. This story is about the children and families who benefit from the mindful practices she teaches through The Web of Life and The Way of the Circle - and those who do not.
You will not see the ending coming!
Please See Me will appeal widely to readers of coming of age fiction, memoirs, suspense, metaphysical mystery, and contemporary magical realism, as well as educators and parents wishing to learn more about the prevalence of childhood trauma and the need to respond with empathy and understanding.
Children now grow up in a world that can be scary, dangerous, and violent. This story is about a trauma-sensitive educator who is skilled at redirecting children's reactive behavior in calm, respectful, and sometimes playful ways, teaching love and kindness as a way of life. The children and families who benefit from her unique approach are those who need it most.
MRS.BERRY/MS.POULIN is a creative and loving educator who supports an exceptional group of resilient, at-risk elementary age children who call themselves the "Earthkeepers." Her classroom is a sanctuary where children feel safe and learning comes naturally.
JUNIOR hides inside his hoodie and keeps a low profile. Artistic and sensitive, he has slipped through the cracks. At 17 he is murdered and tossed onto the walkway of the big house on Brown Avenue.
ORAN, the son of defiant Brandi and an unknown father, is being raised by his grandfather Will and Aonani. At 10 he understands much of the great mysteries of life and seeks opportunities to share his wisdom.
OFFICER KIM LEE was born to a Vietnamese mother and a US Marine during the war. Kim is a kind and gentle "peace" officer who struggles with societal and professional expectations, keeping his private life a secret.
AONANI is wise in the ways of natural living and walks the sacred spiritual path of her ancestors. With her loving guidance Oran meditates for world peace and communicates with Grandmother Oak and the forest creatures around their home.
WILL whose youth was turned into a hellish nightmare during his duty in Vietnam and a toxic marriage to Vivian has suffered from untreated PTSD. Will is on a journey to wellness making amends for the wrongs he has done to his family.
VIVIAN is an alcoholic and drug addicted woman who believes that a deal with the devil is better than no deal at all. The children in her care fail to thrive and develop physically, mentally and emotionally falling victim to the suffering that poverty and the cycles of family pain and violence guarantee.
CINDI is Vivian's oldest daughter. A victim of severe childhood trauma she learned not to speak up or show emotion. In competition with her sister for their mother's attention she will do anything that Vivian asks, in the hope of winning her mother's love.
BRANDI who gave birth to Oran at 15 and is mother to twin daughters suffers from mental illness and the experiences of severe child abuse. As she struggles to break free of her past conditioning, she lives with the paralyzing effects of neglect and maltreatment.
DILLY is a dangerous kid. His mental health issues, and history of family violence go unaddressed. Cutting the hearts out of chickens and strangling cats with Christmas lights, his next step is to evil.
PLEASE SEE ME addresses the prevalence of trauma in our society and the need to respond with empathy and understanding. It offers powerful and positive approaches for educators, caregivers and parents.
This listing is for the paperback edition, 301 pages. Please include a note with recipient's name and message if you would like a signed copy.
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