Regina’s Calcaterra memoir, Etched in Sand, is an inspiring and triumphant coming-of-age story of tenacity and hope. Regina Calcaterra is a successful lawyer, New York State official, and activist. Her painful early life, however, was quite different. Regina and her four siblings survived an abusive and painful childhood only to find themselves faced with the challenges of the foster-care system … foster-care system and intermittent homelessness in the shadows of Manhattan and the Hamptons.
A true-life rags-to-riches story, Etched in Sand chronicles Regina’s rising above her past, while fighting to keep her brother and three sisters together through it all.
Beautifully written, with heartbreaking honesty, Etched in Sand is an unforgettable reminder that regardless of social status, the American Dream is still within reach for those who have the desire and the determination to succeed.
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Such a hard young life. Not just the author but her siblings. Well written but hard to read because of the circumstances. Can’t imagine that a child should need to hide their real circumstances but I know it happens everyday
Could not put it down
What a shame children can be brought into this world and treated so poorly. Our system doesn’t work for the people it should protect. A heartwarming ending to a sad and sorrowful beginning. Read this book and do anything you can to protect a child.
So sad.
Amazing book. This author and her story are an inspiration to all of us. Don’t miss it
Such a tragic childhood for the children. But inspirational in that it brought them close and they were able to triumph in spite of it all.
I am a mother of 5 and reading this was gut wrenching. But what a great story of determination and tenacity. I couldn’t put the book down and the story has stayed with me. I highly recommend this book.
Excellent book. Hard to believe this could happen in a middle class area.
We can ignore what we cannot see, but we should be aware of what is happening! Eye opening, shocking and startling. Thanks for sharing
Having been both an adoptive parent, foster parent and now a grandparent to adopted grandchildren as well as a birth parent I was interested in these children and their outcomes. I have great admiration for their undauntable spirits. Their story is well told and the author’s ongoing work to ease the way for teens aging out of the foster system …