JUST PUBLISHED!

But It Don't Feel OK!

-Kinsella Sookins Reaves, M.Ed, LPC

"It don't feel okay" by John Ballom Jr., is a book about Johnny, a nine-year-old boy whose mother is being physically abused by her husband, Johnny's stepfather.

As soon as I picked the book up, I felt an array of emotions just from the title alone. The characters in the book felt so real to me and the illustrations helped to bring them to life.I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline which captivated my imagination from beginning to end with sentiments of pain, disappointment, sadness and sometime joy. It was difficult for me at times to control my emotions wondering what would happen next.I enthusiastically recommend this book to young and old readers in hopes that it will start meaningful discussions of domestic violence as well as abuse of any kind.

 You will not be able to put this book down! You will definitely-CRAVE FOR MORE!

Marvin A. McMickle, Ph.D.

I have had a chance to read and then re-read your wonderful book. The story is at times both uplifting and discouraging in terms of the feelings of a young boy as he tries to make sense of his world and his feelings about that world. Moreover, the illustrations are absolutely stunning. I really enjoyed the image of the angel's wings coming out of the headlights of a passing car. That was very creative, and it brought to life the idea about angels being among us all the time and everywhere.The story about all the people you describe in this book is quite compelling. I can imagine that many children and their mothers will identify with what you have written. It offers a somewhat harsher view of the adult male character, but that is the experience of many children in this world INCLUDING ME!

“I’ve always had an interest in writing, but this book was birthed through a creative writing course taken at a local college where the professor challenged me to write about a childhood incident.”

John Ballom Jr. (born in Cleveland, Ohio) is the pastor of the First Beulah Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio; a professional tailor, and author.

But It Don’t Feel Ok! is John’s premiere book to consciously bring more awareness to the effects domestic violence has on children; while encouraging children to freely speak out about the fear, pain and helplessness they experience as related to domestic violence.

As a product of Cleveland Metropolitan School District, John’s experience and education is a combination of a creative and spiritual atmosphere. First, he studied the Art of Fashion and Design at the Virginia Marti School of Fashion.

After graduating in 1979 John Ballom Jr. became a professional tailor and educator in the couture arena. Years later John accepted his call to ministry, and continued his studies to receive his Theology Diploma in Black Church Studies from Ashland Theological Seminary through the McCreary Center for African American Religious Studies.

As a family man, John Ballom, Jr. is married to Sisfronia Queenie-Ballom, and together they have two sons, and two grandchildren.

Contact John at johnballom@yahoo.com