The true story of Melody, aged 8, the last of five siblings to be taken from her drug dependent single mother and brought into care.When Cathy is told about Melody’s terrible childhood, she is sure she’s heard it all before. But it isn’t long before she feels there is more going on than she or the social services are aware of. Although Melody is angry at having to leave her mother, as many … many children coming into care are, she also worries about her obsessively – far more than is usual. Amanda, Melody’s mother, is also angry and takes it out on Cathy at contact, which again is something Cathy has experienced before. Yet there is a lost and vulnerable look about Amanda, and Cathy starts to see why Melody worries about her and feels she needs looking after.
When Amanda misses contact, it is assumed she has forgotten, but nothing could have been further from the truth…
more
I am reading a lot of books by Cathy Glass and this is one of the best. Everything i have read so far is great. I love her books.
I like all her books!
I live in America and so far I have read 3 of Cathy Glass’s books about foster care in the UK. They are well written, sad sometimes and heart warming at others. Truly enjoyable!
Cathy Glass always provides a truthful and detailed account of some of the tragic stories she has witnessed while providing great foster care.
I liked learning how foster care works in England
The author is a foster care mother in England. She has over 20 years experience. She is a single mother of two birth children and also an adopted child she fostered. Melody is Cathy’s newest child to come. Melody’s father is not around and her mother is an alcoholic and drug user. Melody who is eight has taken care of her mother most of her short life. She is very angry towards Cathy when she first comes which is not unusual. But Cathy soon learns why there is more than the normal worrying that Melody has. This is a great book telling of the child care system in England.
Loved this book. Late reading two nights in a row. Makes me wish I knew the author—and her extended family.
This is a true story about an 8 year old girl entering foster care in England. As Cathy Glass gets to know Melody and her mother, Amanda, she realizes there is more to the story than face value. She befriends the mother while trying to add some stability and happiness to the child’s life. It’s a very sad story, but also very interesting and touching. From the book, I would say that the foster care system in England is different, more caring, than that in America, but I really have no first hand knowledge. I enjoyed this book and will read other Cathy Glass books.
This is not as strong as some of the other books by this author but still a good book. The trajectory of the real-life story is surprising and not what you might anticipate as you begin the book. There are some frustrating decisions/missteps made by people who should have the interests of the child as their top priority.
As a Cathy Glass fan I always enjoy her books.
Great book. Recommend all this author’s books. Really loved how it ended
I recently discovered this author and am loving her stories.
Cathy Glass has made a fortune out of describing the personal stories of kids she has fostered. Seems less than fully ethical.
Overall: Enjoyable
Overall, it was a quick, enjoyable read. I loved getting to know these characters and their unique situation. However, I think it could have been about 100 pages shorter than it was to speed the plot along.
For my full review, please visit: https://www.krwardbookreview.com/
Felt like she fosters kids so she can write about them
Good insights from experienced foster mother. Would benefit from some editing.
Dull.
So-so