Momma, Don't Hit Me! (Shannon's NH Diaries)
I never expected this book to resonate with so many people.  I compiled this bookonlyto have a way to share Kevin's story with state officials, andshowthem that the system is broken.My many calls to the police, week after week -- and my calls and written reports to Child Protective Services -- didn't help Kevin. Between restrictive laws and barriers created by privacy statutes, the police were as frustrated as I was. Almost immediately, this book became a best-seller.  It sold three copies, then 15 copies, and then thousands.  In its first six months, this book reached over 10,000 readers.I'm kind of embarrassed. I didn't write this story for anyoneexceptstate officials.  Iama published author (under a pen name), butthisbook wasn't written or edited to become a best-seller.  It was just... well...my diary entries. But, this book also tells a true, heart-wrenching story.It's the story of Kevin -- a four-year-old -- and his parents, Ann and Joe.  It's also the story of the apartment building we live in, and some of our neighbors.  Mostly, it explains what we saw and heard from the apartment next door, and how -- when we couldn't get help for Kevin -- the abuse affectedus,too.Due to the manywonderfulemails I've received, asking what happened to Kevin, I've written a sequel, "Momma, Stop! I'll Be Good!" That bookdoesconclude Kevin's story.Readers should read "Momma, Don't Hit Me!" first, so what happenednextmakes sense. Otherwise... well, the story could seem pretty unbelievable.  It becamesomuch worse, I'mstillsick to my stomach when I think about it. However, youcanread just this first book and trust that justice was served, eventually.  You don'thaveto know what unfolded in the months that followed.As you've probably guessed, these aren't "happily ever after" stories.  Things worked out better than I'd expected for some people. Other people in the book madeverypoor choices.  But, I feel as if everything resolved as completely as it could, for now, and I'm able to sleep at night, knowing I did the best that I could.Writing these two books was kind of excruciating, because I had to re-live some nightmarish experiences and discoveries.  The wonderful emails from readers have made this worthwhile. The peopleclosestto Kevin may not have cared enough about his safety, but it's been heartwarming to see the outpouring of concern from total strangers around the world.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.