Sarah’s Waterfall

A Healing Story About Sexual Abuse

by Ellery Akers

illustrated by Angelique Benicio

Sarah’s Waterfall is the story of an elementary-school-age survivor of sexual abuse. Journal entries allow readers to follow Sarah, in her own words, through her year of healing. Sarah joins a survivors’ group at her new school led by the school psychologist. As the year unfolds, Sarah writes poems, develops her first close friendship, gains skills to overcome her past, and draws beautiful waterfalls as a symbol of her health and wholeness. Sarah describes the exercises used in her survivors’ group at school. Color illustrations support Sarah’s story.

Sarah’s Waterfall is a marvelous tool for helping girls 7-12, especially; it will also appeal to adult women survivors wanting to enhance their own sense of well-being. Though a work of fiction, Sarah’s Waterfall was written by a survivor for survivors to provide a healing story about sexual abuse. (2009)