Susan Berry

Please See Me Susan Berry

This novel is a journey through darkness to light, told in seven voices including that of the protagonist, Junior, who murdered at 17 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 with him 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. The book also takes the reader into the life of Kim Lee, the gentle "peace" officer who struggles with societal and professional expectations and keeps his private life a secret. As he aspires to bring love and understanding to all he serves he witnesses the blighted lives of the families in his neighborhood; the kids who suffer adverse childhood experiences; abuse and neglect, poverty, families who struggle with mental illness and addiction, and the reality of gun violence in his community. Enter Mrs. Berry, 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 often 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 including indigenous spirituality, meditation, natural healing, aromatherapy, and yoga - and those who have not had access to her unique approach. You will not see the ending coming. Please See Me should appeal widely to readers of 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. Packaged within a mesmeric story, it offers a compassionate approach to support those children with trauma, and illustrates the beauty of nature education as a protective factor.