A Divorce in Salem - Paperback

by Laurie S. Pittman (Author)

Fourteen-year-old, neurodivergent Haylee thought her mother might as well be driving their Suburban to another world. Instead, Haylee stared and wept goodbye to her beloved Chicago and dreaded moving to Salem, Massachusetts.

Divorce is tough enough, but leaving her father in Chicago issued waves of guilt, since Haylee was the only member of the family who knew the dark secret. Meeting new peers made her nauseated. How can she possibly handle her parents' divorce if her entire world has to change, too?

Author Biography

Laurie S. Pittman brings a deeply personal and professional perspective to the topic of divorce. With decades of experience as a licensed psychologist helping families navigate separation, her empathy is rooted not just in her work, but in her own life. As a child, she lived through her parents' prolonged and toxic divorce, and later, after 23 years of marriage, faced the heartbreak of her own. These experiences shaped her belief that while divorce may end a marriage, it doesn't have to destroy the family--especially when parents prioritize the well-being of their children.

Laurie's academic and creative pursuits reflect her lifelong commitment to understanding human relationships. She earned her doctorate, spoke at an international symposium in Peru, and has been recognized for her public speaking and performing arts talents, including titles in the Miss America Pageant system. Through it all, Laurie remains dedicated to reshaping the narrative of divorce with compassion, insight, and resilience.