Tell No One (Story of Child Abuse Survival)

This is an amazing and disturbing book. Why someone didn't intervene during her school days is hard to grasp. It's amazing she escaped suicide. I'm so glad her life has a happy ending and I hope she finds her sister.

Although this story was a little problematic from an editing standpoint, it was a very compelling story, and I give the author kudos for her bravery in sharing it. I suspect it was an extremely difficult story to tell, but probably also very cathartic. I think it's important for people to read the stories written in the words of the victims, even if it's emotionally difficult. Sarah was in regular contact with numerous adults, many of whom no doubt suspected something was amiss: teachers, doctors, nurses and friends' parents were among those who could have intervened, but didn't. As angry as it made me to read about every missed opportunity to help her, I realize that the times were different and awareness of the issue of child abuse was not what it is today. However, children are still being victimized, so it remains important to keep raising awareness. In my opinion, everyone who has even casual contact with children, such as neighbors or friends, should become aware of the signs of abuse or neglect, and learn about available local resources to help. Abusers are only able to continue the cycle of abuse when they are able to hide under a cloak of secrecy and threats, and when visible signs are ignored or disregarded.

Thank you, Sarah, for sharing your story. You may never know how many children you have helped. I have no doubt that it will be at least a few. But my biggest hope is that you have helped yourself by getting your story out, putting it in print, and allowing others to learn from it.

This poor baby girl suffered so much. I just wanted to take her away and choke the mother Til she passed out so she'd know how it felt.
So happy it didn't define her as an adult and she found her way out

This was a well-written book. This shows how many people knew something wasn't right, but no one tried to find out what it was. The system failed Sarah. So very thankful when Sarah was able to find her aunt. Her aunt was there for Sarah. The abuse didn't stop Sarah from receiving excellent education. She became a wonderful wife & became a loving, caring mother.

Growing up, Sarah's home life was filled with unimaginable horrors. Her mother would regularly beat her and deprive her of food, as well as dream up new forms of abuse, such as forcing Sarah to eat cigarette butts, then lick her vomit off the kitchen floor.

Once upon a time, Sarah had known the love of her Nan and Aunty Linda. But when Mum cut off all contact with them and moved the family to a new address without any word to them, Sarah was too young to know how to get back in touch and ask for help.

The reason I gave this book 4 and not 5 stars is because of the poor editing. There are frequent grammatical errors and typos (such as repeatedly calling Sarah's teacher Mr. Hyde "My Hyde." These are distracting and take the reader out of the story.

Reading this book brought back so many painful memories of my childhood. Never feeling loved, never hearing it, watching as a younger siblings is treated so much better than you are. I still have my ghosts and they will never go away. I cried through a lot of this book because memories just came flooding back. Being able to overcome what she has overcame is amazing and I am so truly happy that she did. I wish her nothing but the best in her life and I also pray that her younger sister was never abused and always known love and has been living an amazing life. Everyone and anyone that has suffered at the hands of someone that was suppose to live them, nature them, and want nothing but the best for them, should definitely read this book. God bless you Sarah!

I just finished this moving and horrifying book. It brought tears to my eyes over and over again, reading of this sadistic mother's pleasure in making her child experience every kind of pain imaginable. Even mental illness does not give an excuse for torturing a child. I think this is a story that needed to be told.

However, I wish it had been edited well for misspellings, incorrect word choices ("birth" when it should have been "berth" as one example.) If it was self-edited, I'm sorry, Sarah - this is not meant to demean the book in any way. If it was done by a publisher, it was done badly. Maybe spell check and grammar check would catch most of the problems.

I never would have believed that a mother could be so unloving and hurtful to their own children but I do know now that it is true. Even now, the author explains why, "untreated post partem depression...." uh no, wicked evil. Her mother knew what she was doing was wrong and hid it from others. There is NO EXCUSE to traumatize a child. NONE. it is inexcusable to hurt your own baby, her mother is evil, she is going to hell.

It was quite hard to get through...but an amazing read with wonderful ending! You might need to stop and cry at some points, but this is definitely worth finishing. This story is unfortunately all too common. I like that the picture of the abused child was very clear; the fear and sorrow palpable. Maybe it will cause readers to look again and think twice if they suspect something is amiss. Kudos to Sarah for her bravery in writing this heartbreaking memoir!

This book is was very heart wrenching. I truly cannot believe all the things her “mother”, if you can call her that, did to her since the age of 4.
She was psychotic to even think of punishing a little girl for every little thing she did “wrong”. Glad you’re doing better. You are amazing to come out of the abuse with your head up high.

Dear, dear Sarah, God got you through this horrible time for a reason. You can give others hope that there will be a brighter day! God Bless you!
You have shown others how to recognize abuse and the encouragement to report it. Then follow up, keep checking on the child or adult or animals also.Thank you Sarah for your bravery! God Bless you and continue to use you!

I so related to your story. It brought back memories that are a part of who I have become, stronger, but more compassionate. And when I'm pushed to the limit ..... I'm done. People have always told me that I should write a book....If you wanted, you could write mine. ;) ...I want to say that I very much enjoyed your book. I was confused on some of the names of people. But of course we who know , know an awful lot is poured into a our stories of survival. Bless you and your beautiful family.

I have been reading alit about child abuse experiences lately. This book shook me to the core as others did. I’m happy her 1st 4 Year’s of life were about love and family. Having to spend 11 years is horrible and some never get out or have to stay abused beyond any healing. This is truly a happy ending to her experience

This book my be difficult to read, but holds your attention from the time you start to read it. Back in the day everyone closed their eyes to child abuse. It is an eye opener for sure what some children go through silently in their own homes, which should be a safe place.

She writes about a horrible subject but survives it with her own strength and courage. She has moved on and put things behind her. Although these things are terrible, she explains them vividly, and how she eventually began to cope .

I have read this book and cried with the author. I know some of the horror as a child and also decided to make a better life. It is hard turning your life around. This book was a joy reading and difficult to put down. I am happy Sarah had a family to go back to and show her how much she was loved. It was sad Nan had lost contact with her but also proves our angels watch over us.

Sarah Cooper's book, "Tell No One" is very compelling for inspiring, I could not help but be on the end of my seat and engaged to each and every well-detailed description that she had incorporated within her book. She done a very phenomenal job with this book: very sound and clear narrative of the message that she cared to convey.

-Anthony D. Woods
c/o Velvet Tears: Breaking the Silence

The book was well written for ebooks. The subject matter is disturbing and I'm so glad she made it out of her situation but I also feel she was failed by the teachers and doctors who must have known something wasn't right. Worth the read

A profoundly moving account of child abuse that is difficult to read of and know it exists. I'm grateful to the author for sharing this account so that we who read this story may be able to help those who live in abusive homes by recognizing the signs and giving those who have no voice, a voice.

Thank you for sharing your life with us!!!! I have never been through any abuse but I want to bring awareness to the world. It’s so prevalent but no one wants to talk about it!!!! I can’t believe a teacher never helped or followed through. Bless your heart

Sarah's childhood is tragic. Her mother was pure evil. Yet Sarah's desire & need to be free of horrific abuse set in motion her plan for a normal life. Sarah is a hero, plain & simple. A sad read with a happy ending!

Having the love of a wonderful grandmother for the first four years of her life provided Sarah with a foundation of strength and self - worth that carried her through years of abuse, but able to build a positive life for herself as an adult.

It was really hard to read this book, imagining the little defenseless girl that was taken away from a life filled with love and happiness to a life filled with pain and terror. This book needs to be read, though. We all need to open our eyes to the fact that child abuse really does happen and know the signs to watch for. Thank you for telling your story, Sarah. I know it wasn't easy. May the rest of your life be filled with joy and peace.

This story of Sarah touched my heart and opened my eyes. Her strength and courage are amazing as well as her will to make her life story a look inside the life of a child living with a parent with mental illness. Thank you for sharing, God bless.

Abuse is something I will never understand. I read these stories because these "children" have a story to tell and people need to pay attention to the kids at school, parks or shopping stores. It's our obligation to save all kids!

This book was very well written and held my attention to the end. I am appalled at the abuse her mother gave her relentlessly! The woman was an evil, sick, twisted individual......I hope one day she realizes what she did to her beautiful daughter and it haunts her to the grave! Good luck and God bless you Sarah.