Reviews

CHARLOTTE THE FIRST


"A simple and profound story about the transformative power of dialogue, love, and imagination. CHARLOTTE THE FIRST inspires us to turn ordinary moments into magical memories powerful enough to make each child around us feel special. Perhaps no one better than a grandmother to make that magic possible!"

Dr. Paola Uccelli
Associate Professor
Harvard Graduate School of Education


"Any person with a sibling has experienced the ups and downs of birth-order rivalry. Mary Mahony's touching and sensitive exploration of Charlotte, the second child and little sister to Ella, immediately revives one's own experience of childhood. Charlotte learns the value of being a sibling and a grandchild. The portrayal of girlhood reaches right into the heart of what it means to be an important member of a loving family."

Dr. Thomas H. McMorran
Superintendent, Easton/Redding/Region 9, Connecticut
Former Principal, Joel Barlow High School, Redding, Connecticut
2012 High School Principal of the Year in Connecticut

 

School Is Not For Me, Jeremy James Conor McGee


“Wonderful. Poignant. True. Read this short book and you will long be inspired as well as educated. Truly a masterpiece.”

EdwardM. Hallowell,M.D.,
Founder and Director, Hallowell Centers, New York, NY and Sudbury,MA


“An interesting and meaningful read for students, teachers, and parents. Through
the eyes of a student (Jeremy) with learning challenges, the reader is sensitized to his feelings, worries, and needs. He provides instruction for adults, who learn to
‘tune in’ to children…the Jeremys in schools have taught the Marys what works
and what doesn’t. As more adults read and embrace the book’s messages, we’ll witness a greater number of successful and happy Jeremys. This book reflects Mary’s insight, unwavering commitment, and joy of the teaching profession. Bravo!”

Edward Orenstein, Retired Collaborative Executive Director
and Special Education Administrator

 

“MaryMahony has written a poignant story about the confusion and helpless feelings experienced by Jeremy, a young child with a learning difficulty. His journey
through loneliness and confusion to self-awareness and success is heartwarming.
Children hearing this story will feel inspired and hopeful and will recognize that
academic and social success is within their reach.”

LynnMeltzer, Ph.D., Co-Founder and Co-Director, Institute for Learning &
Development and ResearchILD, Adjunct Associate Professor,
Department of Child Development, Tufts University
REDDING PRESS

What Can I Give You?


"What Can I give you? is a wonderful story of a loving mother's care for her daughter. The medical saga of Erin and Mary offers insight and inspiration to families with congenital scoliosis and valuable guidance to the physicians who treat them."

JOSEPH P. O'BRIEN, PRESIDENT & PATIENT, NATIONAL SCOLIOSIS FOUNDATION



"...I just don't believe that we doctors exactly realize how much chronic illness consumes the life of patients and, especially when they are young patients, the family."

DR. MARC ASHER, PRESIDENT OF THE SCOLIOSIS RESEARCH SOCIETY

There's an "S" on My Back, "S" is For Scoliosis


"Mary Mahony has critically looked at the experience and problem of a teenage daughter with a congenital spine deformity. There are different forms of scoliosis and bracing is great for some, of borderline value for some, and totally useless for some. Congenital spine deformities are seldom responsive to brace treatment, whereas the more common idiopathic scoliosis does respond well in a majority of patients. Mary also impresses upon the reader the value of the second opinion (and even third) as well as the great benefit of well-planned and well-executed spine surgery. Mary has learned much of this from her own personal experience with her daughter, Erin."

ROBERT B. WINTER, M.D., CLINICAL PROFESSOR, ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY, UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA



"Mary draws upon her experience as the mother of a child with progressive scoliosis to offer keen insight into how a child feels as she journeys through scoliosis treatment. An engaging story for preadolescents, this book is also a wonderful resource for clinicians, educators, families and everyone touched by scoliosis, especially those of us with an 's' on our back."

THOMAS H. COLBURN, CERTIFIED ORTHOTIST; DIRECTOR OF ORTHOTICS AND PROSTHETICS, NOPCO BOSTON; CHAIRMAN OF THE SPINE SOCIETY, AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ORTHOTISTS AND PROSTHETICS



"Watching Maisey confront the onset and progression of scoliosis while coming of age is a journey that evokes every emotion. Mary Mahony has depicted some wonderfully human characters and has captured preadolescence perfectly. This book will warm your heart and serve as an inspiration."

NAN BRACHER, SCHOOL PRINCIPAL (RETIRED)

Stand Tall Harry


"An extraordinary achievement by the author to illustrate the impact that we have as individuals in shaping the lives of others, in particular, our children."

KAREN WHITE, PARENT



"Stand Tall, Harry clearly depicts the special bond that exists with inter-generational relationships. As a grandfather of twin boys, I'm truly moved by this story."

EDWARD "POPPY" BURNS



"The United States Chess Federation is pleased to endorse Stand Tall, Harry by Mary Mahony. Even though the author is not a chess player, she has done her homework. You'll have to wait until Ms. Mahony's next book to see whether Harry wins the tournament. But regardless of the result of the final game, Harry and all the other players in the King's K-12 Tournament are winners. Everyone who makes the effort to compete is a winner; the only losers are those who don't try."

TOM BROWNSCOMBE, DIRECTOR OF SCHOLASTIC, PROGRAMS AND TECHNICAL AFFAIRS, U.S. CHESS FEDERATION



"You're going to like Harry and you're going to like his family and friends. They are intelligent, caring, diverse, interested, and interesting. And through them you will have a chance to see how a hockey injury and the specter of scoliosis affect their lives. "Scoliosis, a lateral curvature of the spine, is an unfamiliar term for most people. Things unfamiliar can be frightening. Actually, scoliosis is just a physical finding or symptom. And while there are many known causes for scoliosis, usually it is not known - a situation medicine labels idiopathic. Although some forms of idiopathic scoliosis can be severe enough to require bracing and even surgery, most of the time the curvature is mild and no treatment is needed. In fact, often the scoliosis disappears on a lateral bending X ray and in these instances it is known as nonstructural andtreatment is never required.

"In this story Harry encounters and works through a series of challenges and opportunities that contribute to his growth and development toward maturity. Harry learns that when one door closes, another opens. This book presents wonderful life lessons in a wrapper of fun, adventure, and emotion."

MARC ASHER, M.D., PROFESSOR OF ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY, UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS MEDICAL SCHOOL, KANSAS CITY, KS



"Having been a director of an urban/suburban busing program, I appreciate how Stand Tall, Harry acknowledges the struggles and, more importantly, the triumphs of children who participate in these programs. An awesome read for all!"

THELMA D. BURNS, FORMER METCO DIRECTOR, BELMONT (MASS.) PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Harry Scores a Hat Trick


"Having played all kinds of sports as a child and into adulthood, I can appreciate the lessons learned from competitive sports. Having sustained injuries from playing hockey that hampered my progress, I can say I learned a lot from those experiences, too. They teach you never to give up, to have perseverance, and to learn how to deal with adversity. I have applied all that I learned from playing sports to my current profession and to life in general. In many ways, competing in sports is parallel in concept to competing in life. Life is a competition and it’s how you approach it and apply yourself that determines how successful you are at ‘life’ itself."

SCOTT NEELY, NEELY FOUNDATION



"In this story Harry encounters and works through a series of challenges and opportunities that contribute to his growth and development toward maturity. Harry learns that when one door closes, another opens. This book presents wonderful life lessons in a wrapper of fun, adventure, and emotion."

KAREN BURNS WHITE, PARENT



"This was a great story! We hope that we (and our friends) can be as brave as Harry as we face things that scare us. Hope you like Harry!"

KYLE AND CEDRIC WHITE, STUDENTS