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4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
465 global ratings
5 star
78%
4 star
16%
3 star
3%
2 star
1%
1 star
2%
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Ellie
5.0 out of 5 stars Very much enjoyed this book despite sad content
Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2017
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I am so glad I found Maggie Hartley's books! I love this genre and read Cathy Glass,Angela Hart, and one or two others but these three ladies are my favorite foster carers ! Thanks to Amazon, who has the list of similar writers (and products) to peruse. This story was detailed and very well-written, suspenseful, and had a happy ending. My, what these dedicated foster carers do for these poor kids who through no fault of their own, are often hard to manage/live with and have been through horrendous home lives. I like the way Maggie describes what works, what doesn't and does not hold herself up as a perfect foster carer but simply a loving and strong foster mother. I have ordered 2 more of her books! I think the story of Ruth shows what happens in some unfortunate families and how the foster system works- not for entertainment but a memoir and education for readers to learn from.I would like to hear about how Ruth did in her future but maybe that's unknown.

* I wish all MH's books were in paperback since I don't like Kindle!
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50 years young!
5.0 out of 5 stars The Little Ghost Girl Will Haunt You Long After You've Finished Reading!
Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2017
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This book is written from the first person perspective of a foster care giver in England, but you don't really know this until after you're well into the story. It does a thorough job taking you through the life of Maggie, a care giver, as she invests a great deal of time and hard work helping a child named Ruth adjust to foster care. Maggie takes you through her daily experiences with Ruth, who is initially uncommunicative and combative. You slowly begin to feel all of Maggie's daily frustrations as she attempts to gain Ruth's trust, while at the same time, you begin to understand how rewarding Maggie's job is as she begins understanding and unraveling the mystery of this troubled and neglected "ghost" child. With a great deal of ingenuity and patience, Maggie ultimately gives Ruth a much better chance at leading a successful and happy life.
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Booklover
5.0 out of 5 stars All Neglected/Abused Children Deserve A Maggie
Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2017
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I was so mixed about reading this book. Nothing can rip me apart inside like mistreatment (in any form) of children or animals. To me they both are defenseless and their unconditional love makes them off limits for any pain or suffering. I usually stay far, far away from books or anything for that matter that screams of abuse. I read the reviews several times and decided it was looking at things from a different angle and so I would give it a try.

Am so glad that I did because I found a hero in "Maggie" because she was helping these poor dears after the damage was done and giving them love, self respect, helping them to lose their shame and horror, listening to them when THEY were ready to open up and letting them feel that they were important and needed. It takes a truly good person with an enormous heart to bring these broken little people back from the he'll they've been through. She and her book deserve a twelve star rating!!
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Book Junkie
5.0 out of 5 stars Maggie Hartley Puts the Care In Foster Care
Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2017
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What horrors poor little Ruth endured and how wonderful it is that Maggie Hartley could see the pain behind the attitude and
problems Ruth used as armor in a world that had shown her very little love. This book brought tears too my eyes and joy to my heart.

I likely read this book with maybe a bit of a different view, as I was a foster child in 15 homes from ages 8 to 18. I experienced some similar abuses and was, myself, a bit of a pain after being bounced and abused. I wish I had a carer that was as least half as kind, loving and intuitive as Maggie. She is a gift to fostered children and the literary world. Much love to all who give of themselves by being a foster parent and 3 cheers for Maggie!!!
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Valerie A. Herman
5.0 out of 5 stars Worth reading!
Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2017
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I think we have a fresh new author with insight to a world we'll never (hopefully) see in our entire lives. Her accounts will bring you to your knees and pray that more people like Maggie will step up to the plate and be that middle person that these young children need! Whether Maggie believes it or not she has a great calling from God on her life to help these precious little people, and a gift to put it all down in words!
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Patricia
5.0 out of 5 stars Good as always
Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2019
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Written with such compassion and love. Maggie opens her heart and home for children that are struggling. Taken away from their birth parents and helps the child to face their anger, hurt, physical and emotional. She gives children a chance to start living in a loving environment where they learn to allow others to love them.
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Holly Salisbury
5.0 out of 5 stars A tragic story with a wonderful ending!
Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2016
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This is the tragic story of a young 11 year old girl who has suffered unbelievable and unthinkable abuse at the hands of her father and step-mother!!! Maggie Hartley does a wonderful job of telling Ruth's story (I know the info says a different name, but it's incorrect!!!) and many times throughout this book my heart broke for this little girl who could do nothing right in the eyes of her "family" and was treated like a maid, like Cinderella!!!!
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L8rGatorTop Contributor: Pets
5.0 out of 5 stars Upbeat, engaging.
Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2016
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I have a short attention span and have been really struggling to find books i could finish. This one hit the spot. Perfect for reading on a long flight. Lots of story, little bits of insight, and no fluff. I even cried near the end! I downloaded this one after reading her book about the baby that didn't cry, and enjoyed this one even more. Will look for more in this series. This is a real review - i found the book on my own, and got no discounts or anything like that.
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Top reviews from other countries

Zoe
3.0 out of 5 stars 3 Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 24, 2018
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I’m a huge fan of Cathy Glass books - and I was recommended Maggie Hartley by Amazon. A fellow foster carer who, in this book - took on 12 year old Ruth. Ruth was a difficult young girl who had suffered awful abuse at the hands of her father. Her behaviour was challenging and hard to control and although it certainly had a happy ending, Maggie’s fostering “style” is very different to Cathy Glass. She’s almost abrupt. Blunt. I got the impression that Maggie genuinely didn’t actually LIKE Ruth - it was very apparent that her family found her an annoyance despite all the protestations that she’s “probably just a troubled girl deep down”. It didn’t make comfortable reason in the same way as Cathy Glass’ books do but I still enjoyed this & I wish Ruth all the best for her future.
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Gina Daly
5.0 out of 5 stars Tears in my eyes
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 21, 2017
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My niece is a foster carer and because of that I was drawn to read this book so I could have an insight to the sort of challenges she faces. I know some of her charges have been through various kinds of abuse. This writer has given an honest and enlightening portrayal of what they faced with when they take in these poor little souls. I am humbled and full of admiration for them. Thank you Maggie for sharing 'Ruth's' story with us.
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Mrs Dorothy F Crome
5.0 out of 5 stars Well done to all foster carers.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 24, 2019
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A sad story about this little girl I just comprend how anyone can treat a child like that good on you Maggie for all your fostering of these abused children and find them good homes and change their lives for the future.
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Suzy
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 6, 2016
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I loved this book. Maggie has an amazing talent for involving the reader with the children from the very first page.
It was lovely to see Ruth get her happy ending.
Looking forward to more of Maggie's books.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars The Little Ghost Girl
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 17, 2016
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Another brilliant book by Maggie Hartley faster carer. A powerful incite into the harm abuse does to a young child. Absolutely terrible what Lucy has been through. Maggie you are wonderful sharing your work and experiences.

If you haven't read Maggie's books please read them, you will at times be very shocked, but little by little Maggie shows that by love and strength fostering helps so many children.

Can Lucy be helped? You have to read the book to find out
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