Interviews, Reviews, and News

“Monty’s Day in Court” is featured in the National Organization for Victim Assistance March 2021 Newsletter!

April 28, 2021 Pennsylvania Early Intervention and Family Support Program Conference - Session leader

51st Ward Books - Wow. What a book. It was informative, heart wrenching, and compelling in the most needed ways. I am reminded about all of the ways we need to stand by and protect our children. We highly recommend this book for caregivers, therapists, and professionals involved in the justice sector.

Amazon Review - Good book for going to court - I am a counselor and the kids I work with sometimes have to go to court or at least have family that goes to court. I had been looking for a book that will help explain this process. This book does that job! Anonymous

We walk in step with you about the importance of raising awareness about supporting youth as they journey through the complex legal system. Absent education on this topic, many will overlook the child’s perspective and focus on the “adults in the room” – the majority of whom have legal representation. Christine Miller, Esq. - Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada, Inc.

Amazon Review - A Great Resource for Kids Our organization works with children, many of whom are trauma victims. For various reasons, these kids must go to court and face the individual who harmed them. Monty's Day in Court is a great resource for them and a nice way for our clinicians to work with and prep them for these difficult times. It does a very good job of presenting tough subject matter in a way for kids to connect with and understand. Very well done. Community Child Guidance Clinic, Inc.

Amazon Review - Empowering book for kids in court - An easy to understand story about what kids and their parents can except when having to testify in court. As a child advocate and worker, I highly recommend this book for any kids who feel the bravery to stand up to suspects in a court setting. MotoConfidential

Amazon Review - An Easy Read for Those in This Difficult Situation - As a Court Advocate at a non-profit domestic and sexual violence agency, I found this book to be completely accurate and appropriate. This book aims to help children understand the process of reporting sexual abuse and explaining the court process of all those involved. This is done in an understanding and easy to read way so kudos to author and the illustrator for the effort they have put into the book. There is also a great discussion guide that goes along with this book on the book's website that does a great job of explaining that not every case looks like Monty's. This book will be on our children's bookshelf at the office! Ashley, Court Advocate

Having started off my career working in CPS and also working at a hospital-based program for sexually abused children, I think this book captures all of the emotions many kids face when reporting and testifying against an offending parent or caregiver. Thank you so much for writing it, and to your son for his courage in sharing his story. I strongly believe it will make such a difference to other kids facing similar fears and challenges! Claire Selib, National Organization for Victim Assistance

Amazon Review - As a forensic psychologist, we deal with children involved in the Court system frequently. This is a very good book to incorporate into your preparation of the child for court. Would be great for CPS workers also. Saar Psych Group

Book Review: “Monty’s Day in Court” - The book does a good job defining the key players in the courtroom and explaining the process. Many youth in foster care can probably relate to Monty’s story. Written by former foster parent Jessica Miles and also illustrated by foster parent Gina Dee, the book is created by individuals who have helped guide children through the process of testifying in court. An added benefit is a discussion guide included on the book’s website at https://www.montysdayincourt.com. This book could help foster, kinship and adoptive parents prepare the children in their care for courtroom experiences and serve as an opportunity to discuss any difficult feelings the child may have. Proceeds from the book are also being donated to Bikers Against Child Abuse. Reviewed by Kim Phagan-Hansel, Fostering Families Today

I plan on using this book to explain the court process to clients (abused and neglected children in Oklahoma County, OK). I especially appreciated the illustration of everyone in the court room. I feel like this illustration helps a child to understand the players in a court case and their roles. Thank you for such a helpful story and resource for those that work in juvenile justice! Britni Cobb

“I loved the book! You did a beautiful job with the book. It even spurred great conversation between me and my 9 year old son, as he had picked up the book and started reading it too. What I appreciated the most about the book was it’s honesty and how it didn’t sugar coat tough subjects, yet used developmentally appropriate language. Too often, we try and sugar coat things for kids because of our own feelings – and that is not helpful for kids. They need the words and language to put to their experiences and feelings. Again – major kudos to you for doing this! The discussion guide is like the cherry on top – it will be so helpful for those reading the book with the child.” Jamie Bahm

“We love your book and we believe it will greatly benefit children who encounter the child welfare system.” CASA of St. Louis

“…. Monty’s Day in Court is a wonderful addition to the toolbox for combatting childhood trauma and helping its survivors heal. Whether you’re a CASA, social worker, therapist, parent, or simply have a heart for kids, I encourage you to check it out.” Read full review here. Laura Dennis, Attachment & Trauma Network

As a guardian ad litem, I’m grateful for this book and have already recommended it to the caregivers of two children whose cases are coming up soon. "Monty’s Day in Court" is a great resource for children who must testify in court as a result of abuse. The author has a gift for explaining difficult concepts clearly without oversimplifying. The book doesn’t’ describe the crime, only alludes to the harm suffered, so that any abused child can see the similarity in their situation and feel less alone. Instead, it focuses on related events, adult reactions—both supportive and non-supportive—descriptions of important people and their roles. It also addresses the complex feelings of the child when the perpetrator is someone close, with reassurance from a trusted adult that even conflicting emotions are valid. It’s especially uplifting to read about all the caring adults, including Bikers Against Child Abuse, who are there for Monty, helping him find the strength he needs to make his voice heard. The book includes a list of other resources to provide balanced views of the subject. “Monty’s Day in Court," is a valuable tool for foster parents, therapists, attorneys, guardians ad litem, victim’s advocates and other adults supporting a child who has suffered abuse. Rebecca Howerton, Guardian ad Litem

Amazon Review - Amazing Resource and Book for Children - Abuse happens and it very rare to find a book that provides the level of detail needed to assist children with the trauma they experience from the abuse and then by having to testify in court. This book and the writer accurately captures the feelings of both the child and their caregiver. We used it to help prepare children at my center to testify in court. This book allows the child to know they are not alone. The writing and pictures are fantastic. NJ Esq

Amazon Review - A Wonderful Resource for Kids and Families - I work at a Child Advocacy Center in Ohio and I am very excited to share this book with my young clients who go to court to testify against their abusers. I love that it is written from a child's perspective. It explains how the courtroom will be set up, who the people there are, and what the child's role will be. It remains vague about the details of the abuse so that all kinds of kids can still relate to the story. It also discusses the conflicting thoughts and emotions a child may go through when faced with such a scary, complex situation. I would definitely recommend this book to social workers, therapists, child advocacy centers, courts, and anyone that works with children who have experienced abuse. FP

Amazon Review - Great Book - I ordered this book as I work with children who have been sexually or physically abused. It is very detailed and makes it easy for children to understand the concepts of a court hearing and what to expect. There are diagrams of what a typical court room would look like and descriptions of what each person's role is. Very interesting. Sam

I am certain [your book] will be very helpful in my therapeutic work with children as I frequently help prepare children for court in these situations. I love many things about the book but particularly that it is available in Spanish and that it is written from the child’s perspective. Lizet Benitez, LCSW

“Being called to testify in a courtroom is unsettling for any individual. This experience is exponentially impactful for a traumatized child. As an elementary principal, this book is an invaluable tool to have on site to better support students who face a similar situation.” Deb Ganderton, Elementary School Principal

“It's a great tool and for a great cause.” Vanessa Dudley-Miller, State Director, Kansas Court-Appointed Special Advocates

"This book is excellent! I loved all of it, but especially the definitions of the different courtroom characters. The descriptions of the gamut of emotions a child goes through were excellent.” Patricia Robles, Social Worker

"What a wonderful and insightful learning tool for children and adults alike! If it can provide a 30 year veteran of the child welfare industry, such as me, greater insights it will certainly provide necessary perspective to professionals and caregivers working with children going through the system and beyond." Phil Scarpelli, Chief Executive Officer, Brevard Family Partnership

'Monty’s Day in Court' reflects a positivity without discounting the often complex feelings children have." Elaine Webb, 2nd Circuit Guardian ad Litem Program

"I LOVE the book! I think it will be a valuable resource for the kiddos we work with. The court process, trials specifically, are always a very scary thing. It is hard to describe the process, especially to our younger victims. I am also grateful that you address the conflicting feelings that victims often face about holding their offender accountable and what that reality actually means. For example, possibly not seeing a parent again in a traditional sense perhaps for the rest of their life. The book and the illustrations were both impactful and well thought out. I appreciated both of those things. I’m excited to add this resource to our CAC." Stacey Hermanson, Family Advocate, Bivona Child Advocacy Center

"I have never seen a book like yours and I have already told my team here at the RI Children's Advocacy Center that we need to get lots and lots of copies to have on hand for the families and children that we serve. I was also so happy to see how his story also intertwines awareness surrounding BACA - we love our RI chapter and we know the work that they do in helping keep kids safe is so important." Georgia DiMatteo, Senior Forensic Interviewer for the RI Children's Advocacy Center

“Going to court can fill a kid with dread, worry, and fear. When you’re facing your own parent, it can also mean tremendous guilt and confusion. Author Jessica Miles saw that firsthand, when her 10-year old adopted son testified against his biological father in court. She and illustrator Gina Dee have written a children's book about the subject.

“Monty’s Day in Court” walks through the experience of testifying in court, narrated in the voice of a ten year old boy. The book does two important things well. It explains legal concepts—from what a subpoena is to who all those different adults are sitting around the courtroom—respecting the intelligence of the young reader. The book also acknowledges and respects that kids often experience a wide range of conflicting emotions, without trying to oversimplify or manipulate.” National Association to Protect Children