Review By Book Excellence
Piece by Piece - A Memoir of Survival, Resilience, and the Power of Creativity, Sheryl Hauk shares a deeply honest account of surviving childhood sexual abuse and turning that pain into purpose, creativity, and hope.
The book moves the way memory does, through moments and snapshots. Hauk takes readers from her childhood in Hawai'i, surrounded by the beauty and culture of 'ohana, to courtrooms, hospitals, classrooms, and even state government offices. Behind the peaceful island setting, she was living through private trauma. She does not describe the abuse in graphic detail, but she gives enough insight for readers to understand the weight of what she endured at the hands of her father; a man who appeared respectable to the outside world. What stays with you isn't shock, but the quiet truth about silence, not being believed, and finding a way to survive anyway.
As the book progresses, we see Hauk grow into a devoted mother of four, a passionate music teacher who pours herself into her students, and an advocate determined to change laws that protect abusers. Her personal court case, along with her efforts to extend the statute of limitations for survivors, becomes a powerful turning point. Through this work, she shows that healing is not just personal, it can also help others.
Hauk's writing is reflective and conversational. It feels as though she is sitting across from you sharing her story in an honest, open and emotional way. On occasion, she employs humor. Not to make light of what happened, but because sometimes laughter is how people survive. That balance between heartbreak and humor makes the book easier to carry, even when the subject is heavy. It allows readers to sit with difficult truths and come away with greater clarity and understanding.
Some of the most powerful parts of the memoir focus on choice: choosing to show up for others, choosing to speak in court, choosing not to let trauma define her, and choosing to be a survivor, not a victim. This idea sits as a cornerstone of the book.
Piece by Piece will resonate deeply with survivors, parents, educators, advocates, and anyone navigating the long arc between harm and healing. It is a story about courage without drama, advocacy without showmanship, and creativity as a path toward restoration. Above all, it is about building a meaningful life, one piece at a time.
About the Author
Sheryl Hauk grew up in Hawai'i, a haole shaped by a culture that taught her resilience, belonging, and the power of music and ohana (family). Her life unfolded in parallel with Barack Obama's in Honolulu-both shaped by the island's rhythms, its unspoken expectations, and the ocean that grounds and humbles. Those early lessons in balance, identity, and empathy became the foundation for a lifetime spent building connection through music and storytelling.
Sheryl dedicated more than forty years to music education, serving as a conductor, clinician, and Fine Arts Coordinator while mentoring thousands of students who found their voice under her direction. Many have gone on to national stages and professional careers in music, theater, and the arts, including actress and singer Ryan Destiny, composer and conductor Christian Kolo, vocalist Chelsea Helm, and Broadway actor Danny Kornfeld.
Her choirs have performed across the United States-from concert halls and jazz festivals to national ceremonies and state events-and her work as a music educator has been honored for its innovation and excellence. Sheryl has received the MSVMA Lifetime Achievement Award, been named a Grammy Teacher of the Year Quarterfinalist, and was recognized as a Life Changer of the Year nominee. She has also served as an adjudicator and guest conductor for state and national music organizations, helping shape the next generation of music educators and performers.
Beyond the podium, Sheryl is a survivor and an advocate for justice. She produced the podcast It Shouldn't Hurt to Be a Child and has testified before legislators to help change statutes of limitations for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Her commitment to using her voice for change-whether in the classroom, the courtroom, or the community-has made her an enduring advocate for those learning to speak their truth.
In Piece by Piece, her debut memoir, Sheryl brings that same honesty, dark humor, and hard-won resilience to the page,Review by Book Excellence
Piece by Piece - A Memoir of Survival, Resilience, and the Power of Creativity, Sheryl Hauk shares a deeply honest account of surviving childhood sexual abuse and turning that pain into purpose, creativity, and hope.
The book moves the way memory does, through moments and snapshots. Hauk takes readers from her childhood in Hawai'i, surrounded by the beauty and culture of 'ohana, to courtrooms, hospitals, classrooms, and even state government offices. Behind the peaceful island setting, she was living through private trauma. She does not describe the abuse in graphic detail, but she gives enough insight for readers to understand the weight of what she endured at the hands of her father; a man who appeared respectable to the outside world. What stays with you isn't shock, but the quiet truth about silence, not being believed, and finding a way to survive anyway.
As the book progresses, we see Hauk grow into a devoted mother of four, a passionate music teacher who pours herself into her students, and an advocate determined to change laws that protect abusers. Her personal court case, along with her efforts to extend the statute of limitations for survivors, becomes a powerful turning point. Through this work, she shows that healing is not just personal, it can also help others.
Hauk's writing is reflective and conversational. It feels as though she is sitting across from you sharing her story in an honest, open and emotional way. On occasion, she employs humor. Not to make light of what happened, but because sometimes laughter is how people survive. That balance between heartbreak and humor makes the book easier to carry, even when the subject is heavy. It allows readers to sit with difficult truths and come away with greater clarity and understanding.
Some of the most powerful parts of the memoir focus on choice: choosing to show up for others, choosing to speak in court, choosing not to let trauma define her, and choosing to be a survivor, not a victim. This idea sits as a cornerstone of the book.
Piece by Piece will resonate deeply with survivors, parents, educators, advocates, and anyone navigating the long arc between harm and healing. It is a story about courage without drama, advocacy without showmanship, and creativity as a path toward restoration. Above all, it is about building a meaningful life, one piece at a time.
About the Author
Sheryl Hauk grew up in Hawai'i, a haole shaped by a culture that taught her resilience, belonging, and the power of music and ohana (family). Her life unfolded in parallel with Barack Obama's in Honolulu-both shaped by the island's rhythms, its unspoken expectations, and the ocean that grounds and humbles. Those early lessons in balance, identity, and empathy became the foundation for a lifetime spent building connection through music and storytelling.
Sheryl dedicated more than forty years to music education, serving as a conductor, clinician, and Fine Arts Coordinator while mentoring thousands of students who found their voice under her direction. Many have gone on to national stages and professional careers in music, theater, and the arts, including actress and singer Ryan Destiny, composer and conductor Christian Kolo, vocalist Chelsea Helm, and Broadway actor Danny Kornfeld.
Her choirs have performed across the United States-from concert halls and jazz festivals to national ceremonies and state events-and her work as a music educator has been honored for its innovation and excellence. Sheryl has received the MSVMA Lifetime Achievement Award, been named a Grammy Teacher of the Year Quarterfinalist, and was recognized as a Life Changer of the Year nominee. She has also served as an adjudicator and guest conductor for state and national music organizations, helping shape the next generation of music educators and performers.
Beyond the podium, Sheryl is a survivor and an advocate for justice. She produced the podcast It Shouldn't Hurt to Be a Child and has testified before legislators to help change statutes of limitations for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Her commitment to using her voice for change-whether in the classroom, the courtroom, or the community-has made her an enduring advocate for those learning to speak their truth.
In Piece by Piece, her debut memoir, Sheryl brings that same honesty, dark humor, and hard-won resilience to the page,
Reading someone’s story of surviving a terrifying childhood may incite trauma, trigger anxiety, or cause discomfort. But that is not what the book Piece by Piece by Sheryl Hauk is meant to do. This memoir is the author’s story of being a survivor of child sex abuse and how she used that trauma from her past to transform herself into an advocate for other survivors. She tells her story in a way that is not graphic or elaborate, but in a way that gives clues about what happened and offers snapshots from her childhood growing up in Hawaii. She also shares about her life as the mother of four, with her youngest child going through a life-threatening medical situation, as well as being a music teacher who literally went the extra mile for her students. Tales of Hawaiian culture as well as certain Hawaiian terms are interspersed in her stories, and it all blends together to show how she has grown into a woman who not only survives but thrives.
In spite of the abuse she endured at home, the author grows into a well-balanced and compassionate adult. And she is aware of what carrying around trauma can do to a person. She is also aware that, at some point in our adulthood, we must separate ourselves from our trauma when interacting with others. As she states on page 70, “trauma doesn’t give you a free pass to kick over someone else’s building project just because yours got destroyed.”
She shares her story about the abuse she endured at the hands of her father, and she also shares another story: the time when she finally fought back. First, she fought back against her abuser at home, then she learned that she was able to fight back against him in court. She understands that she cannot remain silent about what she endured; part of being a survivor is being brave enough to tell your story. Being silent about her story is out of the question, even as she knows that most survivors of sexual abuse do remain silent. But she says on page 71: “I’ve spent too many years swallowing silence to keep the peace. Peace built on silence isn’t peace at all—it’s a control and power game.” So she will not be silent in obtaining closure for the abuse she grew up with. She is very brave to share her story, and her bravery in fighting back in court was inspiring to read.
Her compassion is evident on page 84, when she talks about visiting and caring for a mother-in-law she describes as “grouchy” but who she still saw as a woman worth her love and attention:
I didn’t show up because she deserved it. I showed up because I deserved to be the kind of person who shows up. Even when it’s messy. Even when I’m not wanted. Because someday—when it’s my turn to slip away—I want to know I didn’t flinch. I want my people to remember that I stayed.
In many parts of this book, she says she is a SURVIVOR and not a victim. And she does indeed have that survivor mentality. After sharing about the abuse she endured, she writes on page 106: “All of it shaped me. None of it defined me. I don’t live in the past. But I don’t rewrite it either. This life? I built it. Without blueprints. Without permission. With what I had.”
And what she had was guts. Yes, reading about her fight against her father in court was inspiring, but just as inspiring was reading about her fight for other survivors of sexual abuse in extending the statute of limitations. I am not in her shoes, so I cannot comment on this personally, but I would think that most survivors of sexual abuse would not be able to clearly remember the abuse that was done to them as a minor. As she tells one representative in a courtroom, on page 195, “I’m over 50, and I remember.” And when she was successful in getting a bill passed thanks to her efforts, I was cheering about it. I was applauding her bravery and her persistence to testify as a survivor in support of getting that bill passed.
I loved how she wrote about using the money she won in her court case to fund her quest to help survivors – and especially how her father was not happy about it. But she was not going to allow this to continue to hurt other people. “Pedophiles often operate knowing their victims will stay silent—until it’s too late to prosecute. Whether you’re eighteen or a hundred, justice shouldn’t expire just because trauma kept you quiet.” (Page 197) And if they cannot break their silence to achieve justice, she has worked to break it for them. She continued her work to help survivors. And as a survivor herself, she reminds the other survivors that “what happened to you is NOT who you are.” (Page 216)
Piece by Piece is not just another memoir written by a survivor of child sex abuse; it is a story of triumph, courage, and bravery. With chapters that explore the past, present, and wish for a hopeful future, this book will inspire readers who enjoy stories of people who emerge from their trauma as fighters and protectors. Other survivors would be inspired by this story as well, as it not only shows that there is a light at the end, but that it is possible to come out of the nightmare stronger and braver than ever.
Reviewed by Jennifer Senick for Readers' Favorite
In her memoir Piece by Piece, Sheryl Hauk tells the story of how she survived an abusive childhood and built a life centered on music, teaching, family, and creativity. Even though her father no longer has control over her, the effects of the abuse continue to shape her daily experiences. Hauk shares memories of growing up in Hawaiʻi, her decades as a music educator, and the challenges of raising a family. She reveals how those moments eventually led her to write about what she had kept silent on for so many years. What does it really take to put a life back together, one piece at a time?
I’m glad I read Piece by Piece by Sheryl Hauk. I appreciated that Hauk didn't rely on graphic descriptions of her abuse. She actually focused more on how it continued to influence her. Her openness about the hypervigilance she has as a result of her experiences gave a clearer picture of her adult life. As a teacher, I found parts of her educational journey especially frustrating. There is one line I haven’t stopped thinking about. It’s when she said, "I'm not everyone's cup of tea, more like espresso with a side of cayenne." It helped me understand her better. It also left me a little sad because it reflected how she sees herself after everything she's lived through. Her memoir brought to mind Kelly Clarkson's song, "Piece by Piece.” The stories are not the same, but both center on rebuilding a life after deep hurt. Hauk writes with humor, honesty, and enough self-awareness to balance difficult moments with lighter ones. The mention of WAACS caught my attention because I'd only recently learned about the organization through another book. I loved the picture of Sheryl playing the piano as a two-year-old. Anyone looking for a thoughtful memoir about resilience, trauma recovery, and healing will want to pick up a copy.
Review by Book Excellence
Praise
Review by Book Excellence
Piece by Piece - A Memoir of Survival, Resilience, and the Power of Creativity, Sheryl Hauk shares a deeply honest account of surviving childhood sexual abuse and turning that pain into purpose, creativity, and hope.
The book moves the way memory does, through moments and snapshots. Hauk takes readers from her childhood in Hawai'i, surrounded by the beauty and culture of 'ohana, to courtrooms, hospitals, classrooms, and even state government offices. Behind the peaceful island setting, she was living through private trauma. She does not describe the abuse in graphic detail, but she gives enough insight for readers to understand the weight of what she endured at the hands of her father; a man who appeared respectable to the outside world. What stays with you isn't shock, but the quiet truth about silence, not being believed, and finding a way to survive anyway.
As the book progresses, we see Hauk grow into a devoted mother of four, a passionate music teacher who pours herself into her students, and an advocate determined to change laws that protect abusers. Her personal court case, along with her efforts to extend the statute of limitations for survivors, becomes a powerful turning point. Through this work, she shows that healing is not just personal, it can also help others.
Hauk's writing is reflective and conversational. It feels as though she is sitting across from you sharing her story in an honest, open and emotional way. On occasion, she employs humor. Not to make light of what happened, but because sometimes laughter is how people survive. That balance between heartbreak and humor makes the book easier to carry, even when the subject is heavy. It allows readers to sit with difficult truths and come away with greater clarity and understanding.
Some of the most powerful parts of the memoir focus on choice: choosing to show up for others, choosing to speak in court, choosing not to let trauma define her, and choosing to be a survivor, not a victim. This idea sits as a cornerstone of the book.
Piece by Piece will resonate deeply with survivors, parents, educators, advocates, and anyone navigating the long arc between harm and healing. It is a story about courage without drama, advocacy without showmanship, and creativity as a path toward restoration. Above all, it is about building a meaningful life, one piece at a time.
About the Author
Sheryl Hauk grew up in Hawai'i, a haole shaped by a culture that taught her resilience, belonging, and the power of music and ohana (family). Her life unfolded in parallel with Barack Obama's in Honolulu-both shaped by the island's rhythms, its unspoken expectations, and the ocean that grounds and humbles. Those early lessons in balance, identity, and empathy became the foundation for a lifetime spent building connection through music and storytelling.
Sheryl dedicated more than forty years to music education, serving as a conductor, clinician, and Fine Arts Coordinator while mentoring thousands of students who found their voice under her direction. Many have gone on to national stages and professional careers in music, theater, and the arts, including actress and singer Ryan Destiny, composer and conductor Christian Kolo, vocalist Chelsea Helm, and Broadway actor Danny Kornfeld.
Her choirs have performed across the United States-from concert halls and jazz festivals to national ceremonies and state events-and her work as a music educator has been honored for its innovation and excellence. Sheryl has received the MSVMA Lifetime Achievement Award, been named a Grammy Teacher of the Year Quarterfinalist, and was recognized as a Life Changer of the Year nominee. She has also served as an adjudicator and guest conductor for state and national music organizations, helping shape the next generation of music educators and performers.
Beyond the podium, Sheryl is a survivor and an advocate for justice. She produced the podcast It Shouldn't Hurt to Be a Child and has testified before legislators to help change statutes of limitations for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Her commitment to using her voice for change-whether in the classroom, the courtroom, or the community-has made her an enduring advocate for those learning to speak their truth.
In Piece by Piece, her debut memoir, Sheryl brings that same honesty, dark humor, and hard-won resilience to the page,Review by Book Excellence
Piece by Piece - A Memoir of Survival, Resilience, and the Power of Creativity, Sheryl Hauk shares a deeply honest account of surviving childhood sexual abuse and turning that pain into purpose, creativity, and hope.
The book moves the way memory does, through moments and snapshots. Hauk takes readers from her childhood in Hawai'i, surrounded by the beauty and culture of 'ohana, to courtrooms, hospitals, classrooms, and even state government offices. Behind the peaceful island setting, she was living through private trauma. She does not describe the abuse in graphic detail, but she gives enough insight for readers to understand the weight of what she endured at the hands of her father; a man who appeared respectable to the outside world. What stays with you isn't shock, but the quiet truth about silence, not being believed, and finding a way to survive anyway.
As the book progresses, we see Hauk grow into a devoted mother of four, a passionate music teacher who pours herself into her students, and an advocate determined to change laws that protect abusers. Her personal court case, along with her efforts to extend the statute of limitations for survivors, becomes a powerful turning point. Through this work, she shows that healing is not just personal, it can also help others.
Hauk's writing is reflective and conversational. It feels as though she is sitting across from you sharing her story in an honest, open and emotional way. On occasion, she employs humor. Not to make light of what happened, but because sometimes laughter is how people survive. That balance between heartbreak and humor makes the book easier to carry, even when the subject is heavy. It allows readers to sit with difficult truths and come away with greater clarity and understanding.
Some of the most powerful parts of the memoir focus on choice: choosing to show up for others, choosing to speak in court, choosing not to let trauma define her, and choosing to be a survivor, not a victim. This idea sits as a cornerstone of the book.
Piece by Piece will resonate deeply with survivors, parents, educators, advocates, and anyone navigating the long arc between harm and healing. It is a story about courage without drama, advocacy without showmanship, and creativity as a path toward restoration. Above all, it is about building a meaningful life, one piece at a time.
About the Author
Sheryl Hauk grew up in Hawai'i, a haole shaped by a culture that taught her resilience, belonging, and the power of music and ohana (family). Her life unfolded in parallel with Barack Obama's in Honolulu-both shaped by the island's rhythms, its unspoken expectations, and the ocean that grounds and humbles. Those early lessons in balance, identity, and empathy became the foundation for a lifetime spent building connection through music and storytelling.
Sheryl dedicated more than forty years to music education, serving as a conductor, clinician, and Fine Arts Coordinator while mentoring thousands of students who found their voice under her direction. Many have gone on to national stages and professional careers in music, theater, and the arts, including actress and singer Ryan Destiny, composer and conductor Christian Kolo, vocalist Chelsea Helm, and Broadway actor Danny Kornfeld.
Her choirs have performed across the United States-from concert halls and jazz festivals to national ceremonies and state events-and her work as a music educator has been honored for its innovation and excellence. Sheryl has received the MSVMA Lifetime Achievement Award, been named a Grammy Teacher of the Year Quarterfinalist, and was recognized as a Life Changer of the Year nominee. She has also served as an adjudicator and guest conductor for state and national music organizations, helping shape the next generation of music educators and performers.
Beyond the podium, Sheryl is a survivor and an advocate for justice. She produced the podcast It Shouldn't Hurt to Be a Child and has testified before legislators to help change statutes of limitations for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Her commitment to using her voice for change-whether in the classroom, the courtroom, or the community-has made her an enduring advocate for those learning to speak their truth.
In Piece by Piece, her debut memoir, Sheryl brings that same honesty, dark humor, and hard-won resilience to the page,
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