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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Heart wrenching….
I am appalled by the cruelty of a mother to her children. It is beyond my ken to try to understand why this could happen within a family. The book was heartfelt and informative about the resilience of children who have a strong core.
I could check off a couple more of the blocks above, but this book is a must read. There is more to learn of alternative life styles than most of us are familiar with. I admire the children in this family immensely and their courage and desire to survive are spectacular.
This is a powerful and poignant memoir about how 5 emotionally and physically abused children overcome obstacles to become successful in life. It is told from the viewpoint of the sibling who appears to have suffered the most abuse at the hands of an alcoholic mother and is a testament that with will and determination, one can overcome what …
This book was hard to put down. The story is so sad in some ways and so good in others. Very good book.
Etched in Sand is a good story of a woman and family who overcame an abusive and neglectful home to become contributing and respected members of society. This is a no holds barred account of the author’s life. I wished the author had analyzed more of how she came to her determination and courage. Overall a good book.
Hard to read at times and I’ll never understand parents like the one in this book. It is very much like a Child Called It.
Amazing tale of perseverance.
This is a true story of a person’s life. This person had a terrible childhood and grew into a wonderful person.
Such an amazing story. So sorry that the siblings went through such a difficult time while growing up, but it is truly a success story. Overcoming such difficult obstacles is very impressive.
I highly recommend this book.
A true story of a resilient family of children, told by the middle child, of how they navigated their childhood with an incredibly abusive mother, their survival, their journey through fostering with it’s many shortcomings and disappointments and complete lack of help. A story of survival and thriving in spite of tremendous odds against them.
Very moving yet disturbing memoir
Great book. Breaks my heart for these kids. Makes me want to open my home to all the kids needing a loving home and a bed to feel safe in. And to KNOW that they will have food to eat.
It’s hard to believe what some children live through, and this book is an alarming look at the extreme survival skills and strength of this family of children to survive the abuse of their mother and the revolving door of the foster care system. Having grown up with an abusive father, I could relate to some of the chaos but it definitely …
This book is the story of one woman’s courage in horrible situations. It is also an indictment of our society’s treatment of children in horrible conditions. And then we wonder why these children, when they have grown and become teens and adults, turn to drugs to escape their nightmares.
This is a true story about Regina Calcaterra, who isnow 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 and intermittent homelessness …
A tragic story about childhood self survival from an abusive parent. Made you want to take care of these kids yourself. True story, well written.
This book reveals both sides of foster care system. The plight of these siblings told by the author shows the courage and resilience needed to overcome a devestating childhood
Compelling. Insightful. Story of victory.
An eye opener regarding the foster care system. A cruel, abusive mother that beat the system and her children.