***Release Date: July 5. 2022
Hello Readers, I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to read and review this powerful, emotional memoir – Seeing Eye Girl by Beverly J. Armento. Many thanks to Jackie Karneth at Books Forward for the invite and ARC. Adults who were wounded as children, as well as anybody in the education profession, will connect with Beverly’s journey on so many levels. Enjoy my review, and thank you for visiting The Cozy Book Blog. Best, Diane-Lyn
Seeing Eye Girl, Beverly J. Armento
Beverly Armento grew up during the 1940s / 1950s; the eldest of four children. She spent her childhood caring for her blind mother – a selfish, mentally ill and abusive woman. Beatings, frequent moves, poverty, deplorable living conditions, an absent father and a mother’s paranoid delusions took center stage in Beverly’s life for decades. Each and every day, Beverly struggled for safety, survival and her own sanity. She found herself escaping into books and fantasizing of a better life elsewhere. Her only real escape, however, was school. School became Beverly’s sanctuary, her safe place, her refuge from a horrific and unpredictable home life. Beverly loved school – a place where she felt valued and nurtured. God sent this child a team of angels in the form of teachers. It was Beverly’s teachers who saw her potential, mentored her and ultimately helped to save her. Over time, Beverly learned to compartmentalize her emotional self, becoming “weak Beverly” at home and “strong Beverly” at school. During school hours, Beverly was transformed into a confident, hopeful and happy child; a child who felt safe and was able to blossom. Education became her ticket out of a troubled world – a ray of hope in a hopeless situation. Beverly did eventually make it out, but escaping was a painful process and one that plagued her with overwhelming guilt. Even after leaving, her life did not go on unscathed. The emotional aftermath of Beverly’s ordeal continued to follow her despite breaking ties with her mother and her past. Beverly’s tremendous resilience resulted from getting appropriate help, working very hard on herself and coming to terms with her past in order to save her future.
Seeing Eye Girl is a well organized, well written, and riveting narrative of surviving and thriving against so many odds. From the first page, I was completely absorbed in Beverly’s story. The writing is solid, thorough and detailed, but maintained a good pace. I enjoyed the interwoven historical context; racial segregation, the Brown vs. Board of Education case, the tragic assassination of President Kennedy. Armento did an excellent job of embedding the state of our nation into her personal world. Seeing Eye Girl is a realistic and honest account of abuse, the lingering effects of ongoing trauma, and the shame and fear that kept her silent for so many years. This book is an inspiration to anybody with a troubled background trying to find their way. As an educator, I found this book highly relatable; a poignant reminder of some of the frightened, hurting children who have walked through my classroom doors, in desperate need of a positive adult role model. By sharing her story, Armento has created a tribute to teachers and a reminder that our work matters. It truly matters. In her own teaching career, Beverly was able to give her students what she got from her teachers. A teacher’s power and influence create ripple effects on young lives for years to come.
If you enjoyed Tara Westover’s Educated, you will love Seeing Eye Girl. There is nothing more empowering than watching a once broken child evolve into healthy adulthood; rising up through strength, courage, and the indomitable power of education. I highly recommend Seeing Eye Girl – a moving, unforgettable story of hope, trust in God, and resilience. Bravo!
**To purchase Seeing Eye Girl. simply click this link: Amazon. Please note that this is an affiliate link, which only means that when you click the link and purchase the book, I receive a tiny commission at no additional cost to you. Happy reading!
About the Author
BEVERLY J. ARMENTO: Inspired by the many teachers who mentored her, Beverly J. Armento became an educator and enjoyed a fifty-year career, working with middle school children as well as prospective teachers. Retired now, she is Professor Emerita at Georgia State University, and holds degrees from The William Paterson University, Purdue University, and Indiana University. She currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia. Her memoir, “Seeing Eye Girl,” was awarded a bronze medal from the IPPY awards. For more information, please visit: www.beverlyarmentoauthor.com
Credit: Erin Brauer Photography
To enjoy an interview with the author, Beverly J Armento: click here