Foster Child Memoirs

Growing up with a mother suffering from paranoid schizophrenia and a mostly absent father, Nikki Grimes found herself terrorized by babysitters, shunted from foster family to foster family, and preyed upon by those she trusted. At the age of six, she poured her pain onto a piece of paper late one night - and discovered the magic and impact of writing. For many years, Nikki's notebooks were her most enduing companions. In this accessible and inspiring memoir, Nikki shows how the power of those words helped her conquer the hazards - ordinary and extraordinary - of her life.

FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR Thrown Away Child is a memoir covering Louise Allen’s abusive childhood in a foster home, how she survived - using her love of art as a sanctuary - and how she hopes to right old wrongs now by fostering children herself and campaigning for the...

#1 New York Times bestselling author Patricia Cornwell finally tells the story that rivals all of the works that precede it: her own. Patricia Cornwell is best known for her international bestselling thriller series about forensic pathologist Dr. Kay Scarpetta. Every story comes from somewhere...

This memoir offers an intimate look at the generational impact of alcoholism within a New York family. By documenting his journey through foster care and family shelters, the author illustrates the systemic nature of addiction and trauma. It is both a tragic exploration of a broken childhood and an inspiring blueprint for survival and recovery "Gut wrenching, inspiring and crushing as only real life can be. A guide out of hell if you're determined to make the journey." - book lover "Where Has This Great Book Been Hiding?" - bookworm "Fast-moving, gripping...." - NY Shannon "... very ...

Breeanna's life was marked by homelessness, addiction, and survival on the streets of Georgetown. Living in a deteriorating motorhome and caught in a volatile relationship with her boyfriend, Anthony, she faced overwhelming challenges. When she became pregnant, she knew she couldn’t care for her child. Desperate for support, she turned to her father, who entrusted the baby to compassionate family friends—a devoted couple determined to provide the love and stability the infant needed to recover from opioid withdrawal. But their efforts were upended when Anthony emerged from jail, ...

This memoir that "will take your breath away" chronicles a harrowing journey through homelessness and poverty in New York City, followed by a turbulent experience in foster care (Jeanette Walls, New York Times bestselling author of The Glass Castle). This powerful memoir exposes the harsh...

Ward of the State: A Memoir of Foster Care tells what happened to a little Black boy from the inner city of Detroit. This is the story of Karlos Dillard, who was severely neglected by his mother, who often left him and his siblings at home alone for weeks to fend for themselves. Enduring severe neglect and abuse, the boy was removed by the State of Michigan and put into foster care. Karlos was removed from his mother's care just to end up in foster homes that treated him worse. Karlos was told he was not loved, he was not wanted, and he was nothing but a ward of the state.

ONE REMARKABLE WOMAN OVER 30 YEARS OF FOSTERING CARER TO MORE THAN 150 CHILDREN Betrayed. Exploited. Forgotten. Can one boy overcome the odds stacked against him? Tayo was surprisingly well-spoken boy when he arrived at Cathy's but something about his story didn't add up. Tayo has no past...

Fourteen-year-old Adrianna arrives on Casey’s doorstep with no possessions, no English, and no explanation. It will be a few weeks before Casey starts getting the shocking answers to her questions…. Brought to Casey as a short-term emergency placement, fourteen-year-old Adrianna arrives with...

The No. 1 Sunday Times Bestseller. At just eight years old, Jodie is violent, aggressive and extremely challenging. Five carers in four months have been unable to cope, but there is one last hope: Cathy Glass… As Jodie begins to trust Cathy and make progress, shocking details about her past...

Foster child Fiona Nichols is a serial runaway. Now living with the Zook family, her life is filled with love, but also with rules and responsibilities. As Fiona watches Amish teenagers enjoying rumspringa liberties— a freedom denied to her—dissatisfaction escalates. When a trip out of town reveals a curious stranger, Fiona’s restlessness increases and she begins to search for answers to her past. Conrad King is perplexed by the sudden change in Fiona. Believing in his heart that the Amish community is her true home, Conrad hopes they will eventually wed. When he learns that Fiona has...

ONE REMARKABLE WOMAN. OVER 30 YEARS OF FOSTERING. THE STORY OF ONE CHILD SHE COULD NEVER FORGET. The true story of a troubled boy with a dark secret… Seven-year-old Reece is the last of six siblings to be taken into foster care. He can't cope with school and is often excluded for his violent...

Innocent is the shocking true story of little Molly and Kit, siblings, aged 3 years and 18 months, who are brought into care as an emergency after suffering non-accidental injuries. Aneta and Filip, the children’s parents, are distraught when their children are taken into care. Aneta maintains...

Baby Boy Fisher was raised in institutions from the moment of his birth in prison to a single mother. He ultimately came to live with a foster family, where he endured near-constant verbal and physical abuse. In his mid-teens he escaped and enlisted in the navy, where he became a man of the...

When a sister they never knew appears, they are determined to find answers to what caused their separation. Their search leads them to discover the atrocities they endured at the hands of a broken foster care and adoption system. Will they find answers or realize that it’s still happening? Endorsements: The Glider tells a story - Linda’s story - of the beauty that can come from brokenness. While not shying away from the life-long effects trauma, foster care, a flawed child welfare system, and even adoption can have on a child, she illustrates the life-changing potential of adoption to ...

Cruel To Be Kind is the true story of Max, aged 6. He is fostered by Cathy while his mother is in hospital with complications from type 2 diabetes. Cruel To Be Kind is the true story of Max, aged 6. He is fostered by Cathy while his mother is in hospital with complications from type 2 diabetes...

Finding Stevie is a dark and poignant true story that highlights the dangers lurking online. When Stevie’s social worker tells Cathy, an experienced foster carer, that Stevie, 14, is gender fluid she isn’t sure what that term means and looks it up. Stevie, together with his younger brother...

In A Child Called "It," David Pelzer shared the harrowing story of his abusive childhood. Now, his brother Richard reveals a horrifying glimpse behind closed doors -- and shares a message of strength and resilience. Mom has no one like David around to beat on anymore. I am more afraid of her...

NEW YORK TIMES EDITORS’ CHOICE “A powerful, heartbreaking, necessary masterpiece.”—Cheryl Strayed, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Wild The moving story of what one woman learned from fostering a newborn—about injustice, about making mistakes, about how to better love...

It’s late on Friday night when Casey’s mobile starts to ring. She is expecting it to be her daughter Riley. But it isn’t Riley. It’s a woman from the Emergency Duty Team. So begins Casey and Mike’s latest fostering challenge – a fifteen-year-old girl called Keeley who’s run away...