Don't Hurt Me, Mama

Don't Hurt Me, Mama

Written by: Muriel Stanek
Illustrated by: Helen Cogancherry
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Grades: K-5
Awards: None

This book follows a young girl and just her mother, that lives together in a small apartment they just moved into. Before they moved, the young girl and her mother used to go to church together, where the young girl felt safe and happy, but once her father left, they stopped going out anywhere in general. Her mother cried that no one loved her, even though her daughter told her otherwise. Since moving and the divorce, her mother could not find a job, started drinking too much, and hit the young girl, even when she was not bad. One day, the young girl went home from school, but could not find her mother anywhere. A nice old lady told her that her apartment is open for the young girl and mother to visit anytime. Late at night, her mother finally came home and passed out on the couch, while the young girl went to bed, without any dinner. In the morning, her mother yelled at the young girl to make her own breakfast, but even got more angrier once she spilled the milk all over the table. The mother reacted saying that her daughter is no good just like her father and hit her with a belt. The young girl went to school and did not answer her teacher's questions if she was okay. She went to the school's nurse and the nurse figured out that the young girl was being abused by her mother. The mother informed her daughter that a social worker went to see her and that she is now attending a community health center. While the mother goes to the center, the young girl stays with their friendly, old lady neighbor. The young girl told her mother that they should go back to church again, so that they can feel safe and happy once more.

I believe this book is essential to have in everyone's classroom. This book should be read to Kindergartners and all the way to fifth graders. I would read this aloud to my students and inform them that it is important to tell an adult if they are being abused or beaten at home, and let them know that we as teachers are there for them and to take care of them.