Nap Time: The True Story of Sexual Abuse at a Suburban Day Care Center

The sexual abuses suffered during a seven-month period from 1984-1985 by 51 students at the Wee Care Day Nursery in Maplewood, N.J., led to a widely publicized trial and 1987 conviction of teacher Margaret Kelly Michaels. Basing her book on numerous interviews and daily attendance at the trail, first-time author Manshel recounts, often in excessive detail, the experiences of children, parents, school and child agency staffs, medical experts and legal officials. While she perceptively discusses the emotional court proceedings and the case's trauma for most concerned, Manshel wisely leaves long-range psychological prognoses to professionals. She points out, however, that the legal system gives children little credence as witnesses. (Jan.)