Vendor
	Mohrbooks Literary Agency Marie Arendt
Categories
Memoirs

MARIA'S SCARF

Zoro

A Son's Memoir

As impressive as Zoro's musical career has been, it's his personal story that inspires and captivates - the biracial, fatherless son of a Mexican immigrant, Zoro overcame racism, poverty, homelessness, and bullying before his rise to the top of the music business.

Growing up in Compton, a city in South Central Los Angeles notorious for crime and gangs, is tough for young Danny 'Zoro' Donnelly, the biracial child of a Mexican immigrant and a draft-dodging Irishman who abandons the family when the boy is six months old. Poverty and racism are cast upon Danny - landlords cruelly evict his mother, dinner becomes a single slice of bread, and for a while he and his six siblings must live in an old Chevy, showering every other day in a nearby park. But Danny's mother believes in her child - and in his potential for greatness. When he's only 7, his mother kneels next to him, gently ties her vibrant orange silk scarf around his neck, and whispers, "One day my precious son, you will do some-thing fantazmical with your life." It's her own word - one she coins to indicate a level of achievement too wonderful for any ordinary superlative. Now, with his mother's fearless encouragement, and after the family moves to rural Oregon, Danny must find a way to elude the racist neighbors who shoot his dog, overcome the taunts of a community that isn't happy with the color of his skin, and evade the violent high school bullies who hate him for his outlandish dressing - all in the pursuit of his goal to become one of the world's greatest drummers. Eloquent, hilarious and remarkably tender, Maria's Scarf is the incredible true story about a mother's love, a family's unshakeable bond, and a starry-eyed boy who never loses sight of his dreams. This memoir will appeal to readers of inspirational memoir, stories of the biracial experience, and insider takes on the music and entertainment businesses. Zoro is one of the world's top R&B drummers, and has played with everyone from The Roots on the Tonight Show to Lenny Kravitz, Bobby Brown, New Edition, Earth, Wind & Fire, Stevie Wonder, Mick Jagger, and dozens of others. Zoro has been portrayed in the biopics The New Edition Story, Whitney, and The Bobby Brown Story. He was featured prominently in Lenny Kravitz's bestselling memoir, Let Love Rule, and has been named the #1 R&B drummer in the world by Modern Drummer.

Available products
Book Published by Blackstone

Comments

After reading this beautiful memoir, I am left with many emotions from different perspectives. As a mother, I know the other-worldly bond between mother and son and how we would walk through fire for them. As a performer, I know the heartache and absolute joy we go through with every rejection and success. As a daughter, I can't imagine not having had a deep and loving relationship with my father. Zoro's story is one of triumph through adversity on every level. It is a must-read for anyone who has lived, loved, lost, and knew there was something greater waiting for them.

This is a book about trying when it's hard, failing when it was unexpected and persisting in between. These pages aren't just about how to live a beautiful life when it's easy, but how to press forward with tenacity and courage and love when life is hard. If you've got a pulse, you are going to be touched by this book.

Engaging and evocative, Maria's Scarf is a glorious portrayal of the poignancy of love, one that kept me turning each page. A magical story filled with surprise and delight, this unforgettable memoir serves as a testament to the power of a mother's love and one boy's sheer determination. Every mother who has dreams for her children needs to read this!

The descriptive way Maria's Scarf takes you through the sights, sounds, and smells of a struggling family fighting to survive while taking you for an emotional roller coaster ride... you quickly fall in love with these characters. All the elements of a visual story leap off the page at you with every turn. It's Whiplash meets Rudy meets Blindside... with the heart of The Notebook. A must read... and hopefully soon a must see as well.

Much like his drumming, Zoro's memoir is filled with heart and soul and captures the rhythm of a life filled with adversity, adventure, and ascension. Through his unforgettable journey, he shows us all how to become a shining star. A deeply affecting book about overcoming the odds that will make your heart sing.

Captivating... Exhilarating... Inspiring... Riveting... An eight-course meal with dessert!!! Bravo, Zoro!!

We all have a destiny that is greater than the circumstances we face. But sometimes, we need to see how someone overcomes the obstacles in their life to muster up the courage necessary to meet our own. Maria's Scarf is a portrait of courage that will inspire dreamers, both young and old. A timely immigrant story of a family pursuing the American dream. You'll be thinking about these heartbreaking, hilarious, and harrowing adventures long after you put the book down!

This book had me laughing and crying, sometimes on the same page, but is more than a memoir. With its cinematic splendor, Maria's Scarf is a movie that calls to be made - one that will inspire millions.

I can't recall ever reading a book when I just wanted to stand up and cheer again and again, but that's how Zoro's memoir affected me. If I could, I would give this book to every young person in the United States. Besides being just a great story of a life well-led, it is also a manual on how to succeed against the greatest of odds.

Belief is powerful. It can cause us to persevere against all odds and do great things. Zoro's memoir is an extraordinary example of how a mother's faith in God and steadfast belief in her son can make all the difference. It will restore your hope even in the hardest of times and make you believe anything is possible.

I've known Zoro as one of the great drummers, and I knew he had an interesting back story, but I was unprepared for the deeply personal revelations about his family and his incredible path to stardom. Maria's Scarf is emotional and inspiring. I couldn't put it down!