Part family memoir, part love story, PEE-SHY by Frank Spinelli gives readers an inspiring message of empowerment with the page-turning suspense of true crime.

In 1978, eleven-year-old Frank Spinelli’s parents signed him up for Boy Scouts. Soon after, he was taken under the wing of Scoutmaster Bill Fox, a cop who sexually and mentally abused him for two years. When Frank told his family, they were convinced to do nothing. Frank blamed himself for everything. That year he also became pee-shy.

Thirty years later, Frank has a thriving medical practice and a comfortable home in Manhattan’s gay community, but still struggles to overcome the physical reminder of his past trauma. Then he learns his former Scoutmaster and abuser has adopted fifteen boys in the decades since they last crossed paths. One adoption had even earned Bill a national Father of the Year Award and a book deal.

This shocking discovery gives Frank the opportunity to overturn thirty years of confusion and self-blame—for himself, and for other boys like him. During the course of the next three years, he confronts the man who stole his childhood and brings him to justice.

Advance praise for Pee-Shy

“Spinelli deftly portrays his years as a chubby, awkward adolescent and the complexity of his reaction to the molestation. Spinelli’s refreshing honesty as a protagonist make this memoir an important testament to a reality that is too often concealed by shame or fear.” – Publishers Weekly 

“Intensely bracing reading…an engrossing memoir about overcoming childhood sexual trauma.” – Kirkus Reviews 

“With raw honesty [Dr. Spinelli] makes us understand that monsters do exist and a child’s innocence is precious.” – Whoopi Goldberg 

“A devastatingly heart-breaking look at life after childhood abuse, with wit and piercing insight that can only come from a place of brutal honesty.” – Josh Kilmer-Purcell, author of The Bucolic Plague and star of The Fabulous Beekman Boys 

“This is a memoir about a grown-up boy’s generous—and healing—heart.” – Kevin Sessums 

DR. FRANK SPINELLI is a licensed and board certified internist and sits on the board of the Gay Men’s Health Crisis Center, the oldest HIV organization. His memoir, PEE-SHY, recounts his childhood of sexual abuse as a young Staten Island Boy Scout, his decision 30 years later to pursue his abuser, and how he ultimately had the Scoutmaster who molested him – and many other boys over the years – put in prison. Spinelli is also the author of Advocate Guide to Gay Men’s Health and Wellness (Alyson Books, 2008), was the host of Ask the Doctor on Advocate.com, and appeared as the medical expert on Threesome on here TV.  Dr. Spinelli has been featured in two documentaries; Positive Youth and the Emmy nominated 30 Years from Here, and has appeared on several episodes of Sesame Street. Currently, Dr. Spinelli appears monthly on Sirius Radio’s Morning Jolt. He has made several appearances on ABC News, NBC Nightly News, the Today Show, MTV and Veria TV. For more information, please visit: www.FrankSpinelliMD.com