As a parent, there’s nothing more heartbreaking than seeing your child struggle and feeling helpless. In the whirlwind of daily life, important things can easily slip through the cracks, and the overwhelming amount of information online only adds to the confusion. How do you advocate for your child when you know the school isn’t doing enough? Are they teaching our kids the right way to read? Where do you even begin to seek help?

Enter Irene Daria—a reading tutor to the stars, with clients including the children of Kate Winslet, Tom Brady, Cate Blanchett, and the late Philip Seymour Hoffman. She is also the founder and director of one of Manhattan’s most sought-after tutoring companies. Her memoir, I Didn’t Believe Him, set to be released on August 20th, reveals the shocking truth about how one of Manhattan’s most prestigious schools failed its students in teaching them to read.

Parents will be stunned to discover the ineffective teaching methods employed by this revered institution—a problem not just limited to Manhattan but prevalent across the nation. I Didn’t Believe Him offers an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at how Manhattan’s esteemed Lower Lab School for Gifted Education—and many other public and private schools in the city—failed in this critical area.

Dr. Daria, a lifelong New Yorker, has an impressive background. She worked as a reporter for Women’s Wear Daily and as an editor at Harper’s Bazaar before earning her Ph.D. in psychology. Her previous books include The Fashion Cycle: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at a Year with Bill Blass, Liz Claiborne, Donna Karan, Arnold Scaasi, and Adrienne Vittadini and Lutece: A Year in the Life of America’s Greatest Restaurant.

In this latest memoir, Dr. Daria opens up about her personal struggles, sharing the story of her own son’s reading challenges, how it affected her family, and their ultimate triumph. Her vulnerability and honesty in telling this story make it a beacon of hope for parents everywhere.

This is not just a book; it’s a lifeline for those navigating the daunting journey of advocating for their child’s education.

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