Greenhill House

About the Book

GREENHILL HOUSE is set in a Residential Treatment Center mainly housing adolescent street kids who have been designated abused, neglected and/or remanded by the courts after being apprehended for criminal behavior. Their treatment, care and recreation is entrusted to professional and line staff who struggle to rehabilitate their charges, most often a frustrating and unrewarding task, further complicated by working under a tyrannical director. The antics of GREENHILL residents are often very funny, the youngsters sometimes tear-provoking and occasionally scary. Dart, Patricia, Bobbie. June and Fatso are just some of the child population whom you will meet and may want to adopt--- if you are unusually strong. You will also get a glimpse into the home-life and condition of some of their physically and mentally damaged parents and their unbearable living environments. This is also the story of sometimes long-winded psychologist Jason Rogowsky PHD, who offers a talented understanding of human psychology, Richerd Corwin MD. psychiatrist whose nickname, Rich, describes his main interest, Allison Blue, MA, a new teacher at Greenhill whose stormy romantic affair with Jason plays a major part in this book, dictatorial Donald Cheaver, residence director, depressed Dr. Seymour Rentwood, EDD, principal of the specialized school attached to the treatment center, among other well- drawn characters, including Reggie Donelly, recreation director, Jason’s best friend and Janet, a delightful oppressed secretary. For those interested in the writing, you will find some exceptionally poetic passages and descriptions in this original novel to add to your enjoyment.

About the Author

Greenhill House is a residential treatment center for troubled adolescents from broken homes. In some ways, the staff members are no better off than their charges. Greenhill is ruled over by a dictatorial director named Donald Cheaver, who antagonizes his employees as well as his charges.

Among them is Dr. Jason Rogowsky, the in-house psychologist who finds himself romantically involved with Allison Blue, a new teacher at Greenhill. Their relationship is stormy, and occasionally their drama overflows into their work. They are surrounded by—and judged—by their coworkers: a psychiatrist obsessed with money, a depressed school principal, and an oppressed secretary.

As the staff struggles to settle their own disputes, the children—particularly Dart, Patricia, June, and Fatso—make life no easier. These kids carry with them a lot of baggage and have damaged parents whose own memories haunt the Greenhill halls. The staff is there to help the children, but at this treatment center, the children may also heal the adults. Mel Jacobs grew up on New York City’s Lower East Side and studied psychology at New York University. He served in the US Army Air Force and practiced as a psychologist. He also taught at several graduate schools and worked with residential treatment centers. Greenhill House is his first novel.

Greenhill House is a residential treatment center for troubled adolescents from broken homes. In some ways, the staff members are no better off than their charges. Greenhill is ruled over by a dictatorial director named Donald Cheaver, who antagonizes his employees as well as his charges.

Among them is Dr. Jason Rogowsky, the in-house psychologist who finds himself romantically involved with Allison Blue, a new teacher at Greenhill. Their relationship is stormy, and occasionally their drama overflows into their work. They are surrounded by—and judged—by their coworkers: a psychiatrist obsessed with money, a depressed school principal, and an oppressed secretary.

As the staff struggles to settle their own disputes, the children—particularly Dart, Patricia, June, and Fatso—make life no easier. These kids carry with them a lot of baggage and have damaged parents whose own memories haunt the Greenhill halls. The staff is there to help the children, but at this treatment center, the children may also heal the adults.