"Why the Plum for Courage is author and artist Mary Ellen Sinclair's personal memoir of growing up in Providence, Rhode Island, in the early 1950s, and concludes with her life in present day New York City. Mary Ellen Sinclair's writing style is thoroughly 'reader friendly' and her narrated autobiography is totally engaging from the very first page as she relates with great candor and a deft simplicity the highs and lows of her life, her family, her friends, and the times she has lived through. A welcome contribution to the growing library of 20th Century American Biography, Why the Plum for Courage is entertaining, informative, thoughtful, thought-provoking, and a truly great read."
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief,
MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW
"Quite literally, I couldn't put Why the Plum for Courage down. It is a joy and an uplifting experience to read Ms. Sinclair's story of forgiveness and redemption. Life is indeed a strange town!"
Alan Lapidus-Naples, Maine
"I read Why the Plum for Courage three times. The first time with my breath held, skimming through, then a second time, all the way through, and the third time slowly to relive some of the parts. I loved it! I was touched by this beautiful story portraying life on Manton Avenue. I highly recommend it."
Charlene McNalley-Benicia, CA
"Why the Plum for Courage gives us a peek into the soul of a little girl trying to figure out why life is so mixed up. I look forward to those minutes when I have time to read, mostly on the way home from work. I love Mary Ellen Sinclair's writing style and I can put myself right there in her world. I wonder when I look at her childhood pictures, as I do when I look at my own, how one small-frail child can grow up to shoulder so much. I am thankful she had the courage to write."
Patricia Rosa-Queens, New York
"I read Why the Plum for Courage straight through from the minute I opened the book. I thoroughly admire the honesty and courage it took to tell this beautifully written story. This powerful and poignant memoir could be a best seller with a writing style that has great appeal for the mass market."
Nan Seandel-East Hampton, New York
"I stayed up all night reading Why the Plum for Courage. Congratulations to Mary Ellen for putting her thoughts on paper and saying it so well, handling adversity with a great attitude and a sense of humor that always permeates and helps situations."
Terry McCarthy - Greenwich, CT
"Why the Plum for Courage is beautifully written, poignant and wonderful."
Beth Bruno -Danbury, CT
"Why the Plum for Courage is a testament to courage written honestly and simply. From the first page, to the end, I was hooked on an emotional roller coaster of highs and lows from hilarious to intensely profound moments."
Carole Edwards- Dudley, MA
"Why the Plum for Courage has accomplished that most difficult of all things, taking life with all its wants and making it into art. Congratulations to Mary Ellen on coming through so wondrously whole."
Anne Larsen-Hull, MA
"I laughed and cried right along with Mary Ellen feeling as if I was there with her as I read her memoir
Why the Plum for Courage. I didn't want it to end! I ordered five copies to send to friends."
Why the Plum for Courage. I didn't want it to end! I ordered five copies to send to friends."
Marge Bujnowski-Goshen, CT
"Why the Plum for Courage 's end sent chills down my spine."
Genia Wennerstrom - Greenwich,CT
"Trauma happens in every life, how we handle it is what matters. Mary Ellen Sinclair has written about her life with courage and pride. Why the Plum for Courage is a thought provoking and entertaining book. I loved it."
Sally Felton-Deerfield, IL
"Why the Plum for Courage is a unique masterpiece, like a snowflake and the things money can't buy." Melissa Greene-Chicago, Illinois
"I loved Why the Plum for Courage. It must be a great feeling to be able to write about 'it' and truly be a survivor. I too am a survivor. This book gives me courage that some day I will tell my story."
Anonymous survivor
