About Arleen McCarthy

Arleen McCarthy is a public-school teacher in New York City and the author of the children’s book MY FRIEND JOHN. With a deep commitment to making the world a better place, Arleen’s passion is rooted in her own experiences growing up with two brothers who have special needs. Witnessing their challenges in school inspired her to create a book that helps children understand and embrace neurodiversity. MY FRIEND JOHN promotes essential values like friendship, leadership, and kindness. Arleen believes in the importance of introducing young readers to meaningful conversations about these topics early on. She lives with her husband and their dog, splitting their time between Manhattan and Westchester.