What do you think?
Rate this book
Another Forgotten Child
A new memoir from Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author Cathy Glass.
Eight-year-old Aimee was on the child protection register at birth. Her five older siblings were taken into care many years ago. So no one can understand why she was left at home to suffer for so long. It seems Aimee was forgotten.
The social services are looking for a very experienced foster carer to look after Aimee and, when she reads the referral, Cathy understands why. Despite her reservations, Cathy agrees to Aimee on – there is something about her that reminds Cathy of Jodie (the subject of ‘Damaged’ and the most disturbed child Cathy has cared for), and reading the report instantly tugs at her heart strings.
When she arrives, Aimee is angry. And she has every right to be. She has spent the first eight years of her life living with her drug-dependent mother in a flat that the social worker described as ‘not fit for human habitation’. Aimee is so grateful as she snuggles into her bed at Cathy’s house on the first night that it brings Cathy to tears.
Aimee’s aggressive mother is constantly causing trouble at contact, and makes sweeping allegations against Cathy and her family in front of her daughter as well. It is a trying time for Cathy, and it makes it difficult for Aimee to settle. But as Aimee begins to trust Cathy, she starts to open up. And the more Cathy learns about Aimee’s life before she came into care, the more horrified she becomes.
It’s clear that Aimee should have been rescued much sooner and as her journey seems to be coming to a happy end, Cathy can’t help but reflect on all the other ‘forgotten children’ that are still suffering…
Eight-year-old Aimee was on the child protection register at birth. Her five older siblings were taken into care many years ago. So no one can understand why she was left at home to suffer for so long. It seems Aimee was forgotten.
The social services are looking for a very experienced foster carer to look after Aimee and, when she reads the referral, Cathy understands why. Despite her reservations, Cathy agrees to Aimee on – there is something about her that reminds Cathy of Jodie (the subject of ‘Damaged’ and the most disturbed child Cathy has cared for), and reading the report instantly tugs at her heart strings.
When she arrives, Aimee is angry. And she has every right to be. She has spent the first eight years of her life living with her drug-dependent mother in a flat that the social worker described as ‘not fit for human habitation’. Aimee is so grateful as she snuggles into her bed at Cathy’s house on the first night that it brings Cathy to tears.
Aimee’s aggressive mother is constantly causing trouble at contact, and makes sweeping allegations against Cathy and her family in front of her daughter as well. It is a trying time for Cathy, and it makes it difficult for Aimee to settle. But as Aimee begins to trust Cathy, she starts to open up. And the more Cathy learns about Aimee’s life before she came into care, the more horrified she becomes.
It’s clear that Aimee should have been rescued much sooner and as her journey seems to be coming to a happy end, Cathy can’t help but reflect on all the other ‘forgotten children’ that are still suffering…
304 pages, Paperback
Published September 1, 2012
669 people are currently reading
3846 people want to read
About the author
Cathy Glass
179 books2,233 followersCathy Glass is a bestselling British author, freelance writer and foster carer.
Her work is strongly identified with both the True Life Stories and Inspirational Memoirs genres, and she has also written a parenting guide to bringing up children, Happy Kids, and a novel, The Girl in the Mirror, based on a true story.
Glass has worked as a foster career for more than 20 years, during which time she has fostered more than 50 children. Her fostering memoirs tell the stories of some of the children who came in to her care, many of whom had suffered abuse.
The first title, Damaged, was number 1 in the Sunday Times bestsellers charts in hardback and paperback. Her next three titles, Hidden, Cut and The Saddest Girl in the World, were similarly successful, all reaching the bestseller charts.
The name "Cathy Glass" is a pseudonym for author Lisa Stone.
Her work is strongly identified with both the True Life Stories and Inspirational Memoirs genres, and she has also written a parenting guide to bringing up children, Happy Kids, and a novel, The Girl in the Mirror, based on a true story.
Glass has worked as a foster career for more than 20 years, during which time she has fostered more than 50 children. Her fostering memoirs tell the stories of some of the children who came in to her care, many of whom had suffered abuse.
The first title, Damaged, was number 1 in the Sunday Times bestsellers charts in hardback and paperback. Her next three titles, Hidden, Cut and The Saddest Girl in the World, were similarly successful, all reaching the bestseller charts.
The name "Cathy Glass" is a pseudonym for author Lisa Stone.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 290 reviews
December 15, 2016
Another Forgotten Child is a heartbreaking, but also a heartwarming story about eight year old Aimee. Aimee has endured eight long and suffering years with her drug dependent mother in a flat. Not only did Aimee live with filth all around her, but she'd also been experiencing mental and physical abuse.
When Aimee was handed to foster carer Cathy, Aimee is angry and what's more so is Cathy. Cathy can't understand why Aimee was left to survive in such terrible conditions when her five siblings were sent into care years ago.
Will Cathy be able to get through to Aimee and help turn her life around or has there been too much damage done to this beautiful small girl?
I can't say this was an enjoyable read because in many parts it wasn't. Reading about child abuse and neglect is really confronting and is not for everyone. In fact, I'm not certain why I continue to read these types of books. The only thing I can say is that it astonishes me how much some children have gone through in such a short time of their lives. Worth reading.
When Aimee was handed to foster carer Cathy, Aimee is angry and what's more so is Cathy. Cathy can't understand why Aimee was left to survive in such terrible conditions when her five siblings were sent into care years ago.
Will Cathy be able to get through to Aimee and help turn her life around or has there been too much damage done to this beautiful small girl?
I can't say this was an enjoyable read because in many parts it wasn't. Reading about child abuse and neglect is really confronting and is not for everyone. In fact, I'm not certain why I continue to read these types of books. The only thing I can say is that it astonishes me how much some children have gone through in such a short time of their lives. Worth reading.
March 15, 2013
This genre of book is right up my alley with the intense and disturbing nature of the story. If I had to choose my favorite book it would be "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls, another extremely sad and heart-wrenching story about children who were somehow missed by the system designed to protect them. So when we were approached to read the book I was very excited just because I love reading these types of stories!
Let's begin with the good stuff! Aimee, the foster child, comes into Cathy Glass' home from a deeply disturbing and dark place with her mother as a severe drug addict. Aimee did not attend school regularly, she didn't know how to bathe or brush her teeth or even change her clothes, and she had bruises all over her body, which we learn is only the beginning of the abuse she endured. For me, Aimee is the books redeeming quality. She was ill-mannered, sassy, and downright rude, but she also loved and desired love so much that it was impossible not to love her. Things she said penetrated my heart deeply because of their simplicity and honesty. For example, (and I hate to give anything away here, but this was one of my favorite parts), at one point Aimee said
"Aimee gave my hand a little squeeze before she said, 'I'm lucky. Two families want me now as their daughter. Before no one did.'"
(Nearly brought me to tears reading that. No child should ever feel unwanted.)
Aimee's demeanor throughout the book was where Glass' writing really came to life for me and made me want to finish it despite my issues with Glass' writing style. When she wasn't directly talking about Aimee I found her writing distracting from the story I thought she should be telling. Additionally, Glass seemed to be talking to me as if she was talking to a child. As I read I kept on feeling like "okay, I get it. You made your point. Let's move on. You already said that a few pages ago." For example in the beginning she mentions a number of times that Aimee's unusual behavior was typical for children coming from similar situations, which wouldn't have been a big deal except she said it multiple times in the same chapter in regards to the same behavior, like Aimee's rejecting to use a knife and fork because her mom had never taught her how to use them. Her writing at times seemed very pandering and pedantic and it really bothered me, especially as I'm a bit familiar with the adoption/foster world.
Also, Glass really thinks a lot of herself as a foster carer. She must have casually put into the first few chapters a half a dozen times that she's cared for "over 100 children" and so she knew exactly how to handle such a challenging situation. Comments like that just came off as haughty and annoying and made me not care as much about Cathy or her viewpoints. It was also very demeaning to me as a reader when she had to justify her actions by telling me again and again about her extensive experience and expertise. At one point she even says, after someone did something in a way she wouldn't have done, "always the accommodating foster carer." Uhhh, humble much, Cathy?
Finally, at some points Glass would go on and on about details I found neither interesting or helpful. Towards the end of the book she belabored the point that the social service system is inefficient, which she's already explained a number of times, and then goes on for 3 paragraphs about how a meeting got started 35 minutes late because they couldn't find a room to use because no one had scheduled one. Seriously, I just summarized two pages of text into one sentence. Most of the time it wasn't like that, but occasionally I just found myself wondering what I was reading and why I was reading it.
Overall, the story was good enough and Aimee was real enough that I wanted to finish the book despite my issues with Glass' writing style. After reading the book I find myself hoping to foster care in the future, but not anymore than I had hoped to before reading and not necessarily because of anything that was said specifically. It was just a real story about foster caring in the UK that I would definitely recommend to friends who want to read such a story.
Let's begin with the good stuff! Aimee, the foster child, comes into Cathy Glass' home from a deeply disturbing and dark place with her mother as a severe drug addict. Aimee did not attend school regularly, she didn't know how to bathe or brush her teeth or even change her clothes, and she had bruises all over her body, which we learn is only the beginning of the abuse she endured. For me, Aimee is the books redeeming quality. She was ill-mannered, sassy, and downright rude, but she also loved and desired love so much that it was impossible not to love her. Things she said penetrated my heart deeply because of their simplicity and honesty. For example, (and I hate to give anything away here, but this was one of my favorite parts), at one point Aimee said
"Aimee gave my hand a little squeeze before she said, 'I'm lucky. Two families want me now as their daughter. Before no one did.'"
(Nearly brought me to tears reading that. No child should ever feel unwanted.)
Aimee's demeanor throughout the book was where Glass' writing really came to life for me and made me want to finish it despite my issues with Glass' writing style. When she wasn't directly talking about Aimee I found her writing distracting from the story I thought she should be telling. Additionally, Glass seemed to be talking to me as if she was talking to a child. As I read I kept on feeling like "okay, I get it. You made your point. Let's move on. You already said that a few pages ago." For example in the beginning she mentions a number of times that Aimee's unusual behavior was typical for children coming from similar situations, which wouldn't have been a big deal except she said it multiple times in the same chapter in regards to the same behavior, like Aimee's rejecting to use a knife and fork because her mom had never taught her how to use them. Her writing at times seemed very pandering and pedantic and it really bothered me, especially as I'm a bit familiar with the adoption/foster world.
Also, Glass really thinks a lot of herself as a foster carer. She must have casually put into the first few chapters a half a dozen times that she's cared for "over 100 children" and so she knew exactly how to handle such a challenging situation. Comments like that just came off as haughty and annoying and made me not care as much about Cathy or her viewpoints. It was also very demeaning to me as a reader when she had to justify her actions by telling me again and again about her extensive experience and expertise. At one point she even says, after someone did something in a way she wouldn't have done, "always the accommodating foster carer." Uhhh, humble much, Cathy?
Finally, at some points Glass would go on and on about details I found neither interesting or helpful. Towards the end of the book she belabored the point that the social service system is inefficient, which she's already explained a number of times, and then goes on for 3 paragraphs about how a meeting got started 35 minutes late because they couldn't find a room to use because no one had scheduled one. Seriously, I just summarized two pages of text into one sentence. Most of the time it wasn't like that, but occasionally I just found myself wondering what I was reading and why I was reading it.
Overall, the story was good enough and Aimee was real enough that I wanted to finish the book despite my issues with Glass' writing style. After reading the book I find myself hoping to foster care in the future, but not anymore than I had hoped to before reading and not necessarily because of anything that was said specifically. It was just a real story about foster caring in the UK that I would definitely recommend to friends who want to read such a story.
January 16, 2016
This heartwarming true story tells of another feral child in Cathy Glass's foster care in the UK. The child is an eight-year-old girl whose mother is a heroin addict and was herself sexually and physically abused as a child. The girl Ms. Glass takes on as a foster child eats nothing but cookies for every meal, has pinch marks all over her body from one of her mother's boyfriends (of which there is an endless succession), wears filthy clothes, has a head full of lice, and has never slept on anything except a urine-soaked mattress. She doesn't know how to take a bath or dress or undress herself, and she doesn't even know the alphabet or how to tell time. She's been traumatized by neglect, possible sexual abuse, and watching X-rated movies with her mother's boyfriends.
Ms. Glass nurtures the girl for months until she has regained characteristics of a normal child and is only four years behind others in her grade. She teaches her to stop swearing all the time and being rude and intractable.
Beyond this, Ms. Glass succeeds in overcoming the dysfunctional foster-care system in the UK, in which counselors quit every week, employees are afraid to confront the most egregiously violent parents, and nobody stays on schedule. It's amazing what Ms. Glass can accomplish in several months by using love and consistent non-physical discipline and teaching the girl cause and effect.
Ultimately, the girl is placed permanently with her half-brother and his family, who are healthy and wholesome and start to give her a new life.
This book is fun to read because Ms. Glass takes a child who is basically an animal and civilizes and nurtures her through the course of the book. I would highly recommend it when you need a lift.
Ms. Glass nurtures the girl for months until she has regained characteristics of a normal child and is only four years behind others in her grade. She teaches her to stop swearing all the time and being rude and intractable.
Beyond this, Ms. Glass succeeds in overcoming the dysfunctional foster-care system in the UK, in which counselors quit every week, employees are afraid to confront the most egregiously violent parents, and nobody stays on schedule. It's amazing what Ms. Glass can accomplish in several months by using love and consistent non-physical discipline and teaching the girl cause and effect.
Ultimately, the girl is placed permanently with her half-brother and his family, who are healthy and wholesome and start to give her a new life.
This book is fun to read because Ms. Glass takes a child who is basically an animal and civilizes and nurtures her through the course of the book. I would highly recommend it when you need a lift.
October 6, 2012
Cathy Glass is the queen of the 'watch disadvantaged or abused children get the help they finally need' sub-genre of 'misery memoirs'. She always focuses on the story of one child's journey from the moment they arrive on her doorstep to the time they get sent away (usually) to a happy ending. Along the way she spins minor mysteries about the child's background or experiences which get resolved to give the story a bit of narrative tug. There's always a lot of completely mundane detail about her domestic routines, which for some reason I enjoy reading, and often some very exciting and dramatic encounters with angry relatives of the children.
This latest book offers all this, so fails to disappoint if that's what you're after. I have gained a huge respect for the work that foster parents like Cathy do after reading her books, and it's always worthwhile to be reminded that not all children in our society are treated well by the people who ought to be caring for them.
This latest book offers all this, so fails to disappoint if that's what you're after. I have gained a huge respect for the work that foster parents like Cathy do after reading her books, and it's always worthwhile to be reminded that not all children in our society are treated well by the people who ought to be caring for them.
August 24, 2014
I’m not sure if I’ve ready too many books by Cathy Glass or if it’s just this one where the writing annoyed me a little.
At times, I felt a little as though I was repeatedly being lectured on the duties of a foster carer. And I really only needed to be told once how experienced she is, and how many children she’s cared for over the years.
I also think she sounded her own trumpet a little too often at times.
A good read, although heart breaking, as most of these stories are.
At times, I felt a little as though I was repeatedly being lectured on the duties of a foster carer. And I really only needed to be told once how experienced she is, and how many children she’s cared for over the years.
I also think she sounded her own trumpet a little too often at times.
A good read, although heart breaking, as most of these stories are.
August 17, 2025
Un témoignage bouleversant et ahurissant sur la petite Aimée qui a vécu un enfer si jeune.
Cathy Glass est famille d'accueil pour des enfants qui ont été extrêmement maltraité dans leur enfance et ses livres sont toujours très poignants. On en ressort pas les yeux secs !
Cathy Glass est famille d'accueil pour des enfants qui ont été extrêmement maltraité dans leur enfance et ses livres sont toujours très poignants. On en ressort pas les yeux secs !
October 6, 2012
My Review:
Have you ever felt left out, forgotten, alone? I am from a middle size family. A broken home, three siblings growing up but I always knew I was loved. Reading this book made me love my memories of growing up. Made me Thank the Good Lord Above on how I was raised.
Author Cathy Glass has written a story here that has made me want to round up all the children in the whole world and give them the kind of home I was raised in. To make sure that every child in the world knew that they are truly loved. Oh My God!!! I really hated to love this book. Such raw emotions.
Aimee should have been taken away from what she was being subjected to when all the other Older siblings were taken. Why wasn't she? That was my question through the whole book.
"Damaged"... "Forgotten"... Oh there are so many things I could say about this book. I am not going to due to the fact that it is fairly new on the market. I do not want to give any thing away. It is only out right now on e-book, but I do believe this is one that I will want as an actual book on my shelf. One that will remind me that the grass to some is greener on the other side.
So due to the above I am giving this book a Breath of Life Rating of:
Five Clock Rating!!!
Disclosure: I received this book in exchange for my review. The opinions are mine. And your opinion may differ.
Have you ever felt left out, forgotten, alone? I am from a middle size family. A broken home, three siblings growing up but I always knew I was loved. Reading this book made me love my memories of growing up. Made me Thank the Good Lord Above on how I was raised.
Author Cathy Glass has written a story here that has made me want to round up all the children in the whole world and give them the kind of home I was raised in. To make sure that every child in the world knew that they are truly loved. Oh My God!!! I really hated to love this book. Such raw emotions.
Aimee should have been taken away from what she was being subjected to when all the other Older siblings were taken. Why wasn't she? That was my question through the whole book.
"Damaged"... "Forgotten"... Oh there are so many things I could say about this book. I am not going to due to the fact that it is fairly new on the market. I do not want to give any thing away. It is only out right now on e-book, but I do believe this is one that I will want as an actual book on my shelf. One that will remind me that the grass to some is greener on the other side.
So due to the above I am giving this book a Breath of Life Rating of:
Five Clock Rating!!!
Disclosure: I received this book in exchange for my review. The opinions are mine. And your opinion may differ.
February 12, 2013
The author puts a name to the abused and allows people to see what truly happens in life. This is not a glamorized read of abuse nor is it a fable of what really happens. I have seen these cases and worse it really happens everyday within our society and sometimes it can be hard to see. This child is so caught up in her situation it becomes who she is. She turns to the things she knows and understands. I pray this book will help bring light to the many situation children must go through just to survive. The author has finally brought to life the attrocities our innocent children must face and how they so easily lose that innocence we hold so dear.
Won on good reads reccomended to anyone that ever deals with children (basically everyone) also put on amazon.com
Won on good reads reccomended to anyone that ever deals with children (basically everyone) also put on amazon.com
July 29, 2015
I always feel that I shouldn't like Cathy Glass' books. The cheesy titles, the cute and tragic image of a child on the front cover (one that never matches the description of the child in the book), the whole 'misery memoir' feel. Not the sort of thing I usually have patience for. But the books are brilliant. As someone who has children, works with children, and has it in the back of my mind that fostering might be something I'd like to do in the distant future, the books are hard to put down and always leave a mark. I think this one may have been my favourite of the ones I've read this year.
May 11, 2015
This book did a good job of talking about the failures within foster care systems (in England) but I didn't really buy a lot of the stories about Aimee.
This author paints herself as a Mother Theresa saving young children and it was a little irritating. I also didn't believe a lot of the dialogue. Still, an easy read with a good message.
This author paints herself as a Mother Theresa saving young children and it was a little irritating. I also didn't believe a lot of the dialogue. Still, an easy read with a good message.
December 15, 2024
This book was so good that it only took me a few days to read and made me cry on the train when I finished it. But cannot bring myself to give 5 stars to a book with such a horrendous cover. Cathy Glass sort it out.
November 15, 2014
I enjoyed this story and thought that, for the most part, it was very well-written and engaging. The only thing that kept me from giving this book a five-star rating was that the author comes across as very pretentious. In several places, she over-explains to the point that it made me feel that she thinks her readers are a pack of ignorant simpletons. For example, at one point she feels the need to explain what a group hug is. In another part of the book, the child in foster care tells the author something along the lines of "My mom's teeth are all brown, and my dad puts his in a glass at night." (Sorry, this isn't an exact quote, I've returned the book to the library.) The author feels the need to explain to her poor, confused readers that this meant that the mother had poor dental hygiene with many decayed teeth, and that the father had dentures. She does not have faith in her readers' abilities to make inferences.
This irritation was only increased when the author expressed her indignation at having to defend herself when the biological parent of the child in her care made accusations against her. Yes, these accusations were malicious and not based in fact, but instead of just explaining the truth, the author was just completely offended that the social workers did their job that they are required to do by following up on accusations. One example is that the child told the biological mother that Ms. Glass would not allow her to watch her favorite television shows. The biological mother complained about this to the social worker, so the social worker did her job and asked Ms. Glass about this. Ms. Glass could have calmly explained that the child's favorite shows were slasher movies that were inappropriate, but instead she became very offended that she was even questioned at all. I can assume that her argument was that she should have built up some trust with the social workers for having fostered hundreds of children, but to me that would make me think that she should have some more understanding of how the system works. Good social workers are required to investigate complaints about foster families. It is a sign that they are doing their job.
Overall, the book is good and the story is interesting. I found this book very difficult to set down and read it all in one evening. Just be prepared to bristle with annoyance on occasion when the author comes across as pretentious.
This irritation was only increased when the author expressed her indignation at having to defend herself when the biological parent of the child in her care made accusations against her. Yes, these accusations were malicious and not based in fact, but instead of just explaining the truth, the author was just completely offended that the social workers did their job that they are required to do by following up on accusations. One example is that the child told the biological mother that Ms. Glass would not allow her to watch her favorite television shows. The biological mother complained about this to the social worker, so the social worker did her job and asked Ms. Glass about this. Ms. Glass could have calmly explained that the child's favorite shows were slasher movies that were inappropriate, but instead she became very offended that she was even questioned at all. I can assume that her argument was that she should have built up some trust with the social workers for having fostered hundreds of children, but to me that would make me think that she should have some more understanding of how the system works. Good social workers are required to investigate complaints about foster families. It is a sign that they are doing their job.
Overall, the book is good and the story is interesting. I found this book very difficult to set down and read it all in one evening. Just be prepared to bristle with annoyance on occasion when the author comes across as pretentious.
November 5, 2015
I keep returning to the familiarity and comfort of Cathy Glass sharing her experiences as a foster carer. As a responsible and loving parent to my own two sons, it’s always difficult to read accounts of children who have suffered abuse, but at the same time it’s also heartwarming to see the generosity and complete devotion with which Cathy, and many others like her, open their homes and hearts to these lost children.
I always know beforehand that my heart is going to be broken into a million pieces by the possible abuse and suffering of the child before being taken in to care by Cathy, but at the same time I also know that I’ll be comforted be the love and care that child will receive from Cathy and her family. The familiar routines and homeliness of the Glass household is something I’ve come to expect after having read a few of Cathy’s books.
Aimee’s story shocked me and broke my heart, but seeing how Cathy, and at the end Aimee’s forever family, changed her life and gave her a chance at a happy and fulfilling future, made all the tears I shed throughout this book worth it. If there was ever an example of how substance abuse can ruin lives, this sure is it.
I always know beforehand that my heart is going to be broken into a million pieces by the possible abuse and suffering of the child before being taken in to care by Cathy, but at the same time I also know that I’ll be comforted be the love and care that child will receive from Cathy and her family. The familiar routines and homeliness of the Glass household is something I’ve come to expect after having read a few of Cathy’s books.
Aimee’s story shocked me and broke my heart, but seeing how Cathy, and at the end Aimee’s forever family, changed her life and gave her a chance at a happy and fulfilling future, made all the tears I shed throughout this book worth it. If there was ever an example of how substance abuse can ruin lives, this sure is it.
November 17, 2015
getting to like this genre.
but, i prefer rosie lewis kind of writing than cathy.
but, i prefer rosie lewis kind of writing than cathy.
March 15, 2016
The author who adopted this girl was a saint. This story provides a terrific example for other foster parents.
May 2, 2020
As a former foster parent I felt she was too perfect, lecturing and capitalizing on her experience in an instructional format.
July 5, 2023
2023-07-05:
Title: another forgotten child (2012)
Author: Cathy Glass
A gripping true story, important and well written.
The author has 25 years experience in taking care of 150 children and I learned from the challenges she faced handling difficult situations. The book gives a lot of perspective in relation to children and family.
Aimee is 8 years old and should have been taken care of but is “forgotten” by the system.
Her mother Susan abuses drugs and her other five children are “taken away” for their own good.
Without anybody to protect her Aimee is a victim of abuse and normal functioning in society seem alien to her. There is a need for parenting, structure and rules. A wise parenting style.
Medically speaking Aimee is undernourished and bruised and has bad dental hygiene. Emotionally she is acting out and has bad experiences and nightmares.
Fortunately Cathy, as a foster parent, takes care of Aimee and she grows to become a more well adjusted and healthy child.
Finally a foster family with the father Jason as Susan’s older son decides to take care of her.
Amazing story. Wonderful people.. and some bad people.
And in the end all that emotional investment bears fruit.
Admirable book. Impressive work, 5/5.
Title: another forgotten child (2012)
Author: Cathy Glass
A gripping true story, important and well written.
The author has 25 years experience in taking care of 150 children and I learned from the challenges she faced handling difficult situations. The book gives a lot of perspective in relation to children and family.
Aimee is 8 years old and should have been taken care of but is “forgotten” by the system.
Her mother Susan abuses drugs and her other five children are “taken away” for their own good.
Without anybody to protect her Aimee is a victim of abuse and normal functioning in society seem alien to her. There is a need for parenting, structure and rules. A wise parenting style.
Medically speaking Aimee is undernourished and bruised and has bad dental hygiene. Emotionally she is acting out and has bad experiences and nightmares.
Fortunately Cathy, as a foster parent, takes care of Aimee and she grows to become a more well adjusted and healthy child.
Finally a foster family with the father Jason as Susan’s older son decides to take care of her.
Amazing story. Wonderful people.. and some bad people.
And in the end all that emotional investment bears fruit.
Admirable book. Impressive work, 5/5.
January 18, 2020
I looked on this English book, and compared it to the care given children in the 1960's, when I was working in Texas and Alabama. England seems to have more safe guards in place, for the treatment of abused children, but they still have problems with the lack of enough workers to do all the things, that the law requires. Children still fall through the system.
The law gives the parents time to talk on the phone and visit in person several times a week. This would seem to be of great use, if the child could be placed back with the parent at some point. This little girl's behavior was worse, after she talked or visited with her mother.
There were many social workers involved with this child. There were too many changes. Finally a social worker located an older brother, who had been through the system, and adopted, who wanted to give back, and took his little sister into his home, with his wife and daughter.
The law gives the parents time to talk on the phone and visit in person several times a week. This would seem to be of great use, if the child could be placed back with the parent at some point. This little girl's behavior was worse, after she talked or visited with her mother.
There were many social workers involved with this child. There were too many changes. Finally a social worker located an older brother, who had been through the system, and adopted, who wanted to give back, and took his little sister into his home, with his wife and daughter.
November 20, 2018
Yet another heart-tugging book by Cathy Glass. Everytime I read a book by her I'm reminded how much I love my parents for the warm and loving environment I grew up in. It is just so sad what some kids have to go through. Hats off to Cathy and all the other people out there who devote their lives to giving our abused and neglected children a ray of hope and for some, the only kindness ever shown to them. If you have never read any of her books choose one and read it. They all are good and all I would highly recommend.
FTC Advisory: I recieved this copy of " Another Forgotten Child " by "Glass, Cathy " thru "LibraryThing Early Review Program ". No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
FTC Advisory: I recieved this copy of " Another Forgotten Child " by "Glass, Cathy " thru "LibraryThing Early Review Program ". No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
January 5, 2020
What an incredible lady Cathy is looking after the children that have suffered so much in their life.
May 31, 2013
Name of book: Another Forgotten Child
Author: Cathy Glass
Pages: 304
Genre: nonfiction
Reading level:
Exposition: The exposition of the story is that Aimee is an 8 year old girl who is in foster care. Aimee has a mom that doesn't cares for her and has never care for her. Aimee is not an only child though she has five siblings but she is the youngest one. The rest of her siblings are in a foster home already. When her other siblings were taken to a foster home she stayed with her mom who is a drug addicted, but finally now she is finally settling down now that she is going to live with Cathy her new foster carer.
Conflict: The conflict of the story is that Aimee has gone through so much since when she was born and now that she is living with Cathy she is having a hard time trusting on her. Cathy also gets mad because she gets furious that social workers did not do anything sooner to help Aimee from suffering. Even though Aimee is having a hard time trusting Cathy she is starting to trust her and tell her the things that she has gone through. What has made Aimee rebellious and aggressive is because of her mom.
Climax: The climax of the story is when Aimee is starting to be less rebellious and aggressive. And she has started to open up with Cathy and trusting her. In a way she has also letted Cathy know of why she had anger issues by telling her, life. Even though Cathy and Aimee have not know each other for a long time they have gotten really close to each other.
Resolution: The resolution of the story is when finally Aimee has stop from suffering and has finally move on. Aimee finally found a caring home were she is love and protected. Aimee also has a caring foster parent who cares about her happiness and makes her happy. This is the resolution of the story.
Theme: The theme of the story is to show that people can change over time. The theme of the book is also that even though their might be times were you feel lonely and feel like if you don't have no one that cares for you, their are people out their that are willing to help you. And they are also willing to help you change, and make you not be aggressive and stop you from being negative and having a negative view about everything. The theme of this book is also to let readers know that even though the help that you need is not always their when you need it, help still comes when you least expect it. The theme of this book is also to tell readers that n order to be happy sometimes their has to be a change in your life. And even though you act a certain way does not mean you always have to be that person. This is what the theme of the story is about.
I would compare this book with the anger issues that some people might have and of how something of their life has make them become the person that they are. And of how some people don't trust people because they have gone through so much in their lives that its hard for them to trust other people. This is how I would compare this book with the anger issues that some people have.
Author: Cathy Glass
Pages: 304
Genre: nonfiction
Reading level:
Exposition: The exposition of the story is that Aimee is an 8 year old girl who is in foster care. Aimee has a mom that doesn't cares for her and has never care for her. Aimee is not an only child though she has five siblings but she is the youngest one. The rest of her siblings are in a foster home already. When her other siblings were taken to a foster home she stayed with her mom who is a drug addicted, but finally now she is finally settling down now that she is going to live with Cathy her new foster carer.
Conflict: The conflict of the story is that Aimee has gone through so much since when she was born and now that she is living with Cathy she is having a hard time trusting on her. Cathy also gets mad because she gets furious that social workers did not do anything sooner to help Aimee from suffering. Even though Aimee is having a hard time trusting Cathy she is starting to trust her and tell her the things that she has gone through. What has made Aimee rebellious and aggressive is because of her mom.
Climax: The climax of the story is when Aimee is starting to be less rebellious and aggressive. And she has started to open up with Cathy and trusting her. In a way she has also letted Cathy know of why she had anger issues by telling her, life. Even though Cathy and Aimee have not know each other for a long time they have gotten really close to each other.
Resolution: The resolution of the story is when finally Aimee has stop from suffering and has finally move on. Aimee finally found a caring home were she is love and protected. Aimee also has a caring foster parent who cares about her happiness and makes her happy. This is the resolution of the story.
Theme: The theme of the story is to show that people can change over time. The theme of the book is also that even though their might be times were you feel lonely and feel like if you don't have no one that cares for you, their are people out their that are willing to help you. And they are also willing to help you change, and make you not be aggressive and stop you from being negative and having a negative view about everything. The theme of this book is also to let readers know that even though the help that you need is not always their when you need it, help still comes when you least expect it. The theme of this book is also to tell readers that n order to be happy sometimes their has to be a change in your life. And even though you act a certain way does not mean you always have to be that person. This is what the theme of the story is about.
I would compare this book with the anger issues that some people might have and of how something of their life has make them become the person that they are. And of how some people don't trust people because they have gone through so much in their lives that its hard for them to trust other people. This is how I would compare this book with the anger issues that some people have.
February 14, 2013
Cathy Glass is a pseudonym for a prolific author who writes about her personal experiences as a foster parent in the U.K. Another Forgotten Child is Cathy Glass's latest book/memoir. Aimee is a terribly abused and neglected eight year old child who was on the at risk child protection register at birth, but still fell through the cracks of a woefully inadequate, unorganized system. This bureaucratic oversight resulted in Aimee being left with a vicious, drug addicted, negligent mother, Susan. When Glass took over her care, Aimee was filthy, dressed in ill-fitting rags, lice-ridden, covered in bruises, and had no experience with basic personal hygiene. She had a defiant attitude, and had been subsisting on a horrendous diet consisting mostly of sweets. Soon Glass also realized that Aimee was likely also the victim of sexual abuse.
Aimee's mother, Susan, who had all five of her older children removed from her care years ago, knew how to work the system and complain, exaggerate, and twist events to try and exploit the various social workers an get her way. She is very insulting, threatening, and difficult to work with. It is obvious that Aimee's ordered supervised visits with her mother three times a week, and the telephone calls on the days other days were not in her best interest.
Set up as relating a chronological series of events to the reader, like a journal, Glass's account of Aimee's arrival and her discovery of additional information is presented in a forthright way with no hyperbole or drama - beyond what Glass does to protect herself from Susan's unfounded accusations. She also includes many of the day to day actions that occurred while caring for Aimee. While there are times when this approach feels tiresome, the whole story is still very riveting. It is almost like you are reading a caseworkers detached account of a client.
The biggest thing Cathy Glass does, beyond helping Aimee, is making an incontrovertible case that Aimee was not properly watched and served by the social services system in the U.K. In her case they did not serve her best interests and their neglect cause a child to suffer harm needlessly for eight years.
Very Highly Recommended - I had a few reservations about Cathy Glass's Another Forgotten Child however, once I started reading it I could not put it down.
Disclosure: I received an advanced reading copy of this book from the publisher and TLC for review purposes.
Aimee's mother, Susan, who had all five of her older children removed from her care years ago, knew how to work the system and complain, exaggerate, and twist events to try and exploit the various social workers an get her way. She is very insulting, threatening, and difficult to work with. It is obvious that Aimee's ordered supervised visits with her mother three times a week, and the telephone calls on the days other days were not in her best interest.
Set up as relating a chronological series of events to the reader, like a journal, Glass's account of Aimee's arrival and her discovery of additional information is presented in a forthright way with no hyperbole or drama - beyond what Glass does to protect herself from Susan's unfounded accusations. She also includes many of the day to day actions that occurred while caring for Aimee. While there are times when this approach feels tiresome, the whole story is still very riveting. It is almost like you are reading a caseworkers detached account of a client.
The biggest thing Cathy Glass does, beyond helping Aimee, is making an incontrovertible case that Aimee was not properly watched and served by the social services system in the U.K. In her case they did not serve her best interests and their neglect cause a child to suffer harm needlessly for eight years.
Very Highly Recommended - I had a few reservations about Cathy Glass's Another Forgotten Child however, once I started reading it I could not put it down.
Disclosure: I received an advanced reading copy of this book from the publisher and TLC for review purposes.
February 5, 2013
The first thing I thought after reading this book was that anyone thinking of fostering a child should read this book. It is super straightforward, and realistic. I know the system in the United States, and it seems quite similar to the one Ms. Glass works within. It seems the system is as bad there as in US, and for anyone who ever wondered what happened behind the scenes this is the perfect book.
Cathy’s approach is very factual writing. I wished there was a bit more feeling in it, but I also understand her difficult legal position with not providing too much information about the families she works with, breaking confidentiality, getting sued, or affecting the adult lives of the children. She has to tread a fine line, and I appreciate how much work it would take to write this book. My life has provided me with interaction with this world, and I think that may be why is was a bit slow for me. But everything is included, the parent side of the story, outside agencies, the govt agencies, the foster parents, the support networks, therapists. And I appreciate that I have never read a book so true to the system, and an emotional outburst would have lessened the credibility and readability. I also predict that life with Aimee was a large amount more difficult than she ever lets on, which only adds to the honesty of her narrative.
Cathy is a life-changing woman, and has the ability to get to so many different audiences. I hope that her books are incorporated in trainings for social workers, child protection agencies, nonprofits, foster parents, police, anyone who comes in contact with families in crisis. I also hope that adult children who have graduated out of the system have the chance to read this and feel they are not alone. That parents in the system, extended family, have a chance to investigate some of the procedures. This book can (and will) actually make a difference, in real life, going beyond the cliche'.
As a side note: Thanks so much for the first-reads giveaway!!!! And loved the British slang, and slight differences between the countries. And loved that she stayed true to these differences and didn't assimilate.
Cathy’s approach is very factual writing. I wished there was a bit more feeling in it, but I also understand her difficult legal position with not providing too much information about the families she works with, breaking confidentiality, getting sued, or affecting the adult lives of the children. She has to tread a fine line, and I appreciate how much work it would take to write this book. My life has provided me with interaction with this world, and I think that may be why is was a bit slow for me. But everything is included, the parent side of the story, outside agencies, the govt agencies, the foster parents, the support networks, therapists. And I appreciate that I have never read a book so true to the system, and an emotional outburst would have lessened the credibility and readability. I also predict that life with Aimee was a large amount more difficult than she ever lets on, which only adds to the honesty of her narrative.
Cathy is a life-changing woman, and has the ability to get to so many different audiences. I hope that her books are incorporated in trainings for social workers, child protection agencies, nonprofits, foster parents, police, anyone who comes in contact with families in crisis. I also hope that adult children who have graduated out of the system have the chance to read this and feel they are not alone. That parents in the system, extended family, have a chance to investigate some of the procedures. This book can (and will) actually make a difference, in real life, going beyond the cliche'.
As a side note: Thanks so much for the first-reads giveaway!!!! And loved the British slang, and slight differences between the countries. And loved that she stayed true to these differences and didn't assimilate.
November 26, 2016
I was given this book a while ago on holiday from a friend. It took me a while to read as I kept dipping in an out.
It's clear to see that 'Cathy' is an experienced foster carer and I admire the work they do, however I was not happy with the following when reading it:
- Cathy thinks very highly of herself and must of bigged herself up a 100 times. Its great that she has a lot of experience but there is no real need to speak about it in every chapter. The reader would be able to tell her experience from the story she tells.
- She speaks about verbally abusing Susan (mother of the child) when she is meant to be a professional and speaks so negatively about her. This is not a way a foster carer should conduct herself.
- She is so negative about social services and does not appear to understand the struggles and demands social workers go through on a daily basis. Yes I understand it is frustrating for the child and foster carer when there is no consistent worker however social workers have so much bad press and it is not always fair. Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility!
- Also the negative comments about temporary social workers are completely untrue e.g some thing about them not reading the case file and this is something that is common with temporary social workers.
It was however touching to read the story of Aimee and I am pleased to here that she was given the opportunity to experience what every child should, a safe and loving home environment and I am sure Cathy's work contributed to this happy ending.
It's clear to see that 'Cathy' is an experienced foster carer and I admire the work they do, however I was not happy with the following when reading it:
- Cathy thinks very highly of herself and must of bigged herself up a 100 times. Its great that she has a lot of experience but there is no real need to speak about it in every chapter. The reader would be able to tell her experience from the story she tells.
- She speaks about verbally abusing Susan (mother of the child) when she is meant to be a professional and speaks so negatively about her. This is not a way a foster carer should conduct herself.
- She is so negative about social services and does not appear to understand the struggles and demands social workers go through on a daily basis. Yes I understand it is frustrating for the child and foster carer when there is no consistent worker however social workers have so much bad press and it is not always fair. Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility!
- Also the negative comments about temporary social workers are completely untrue e.g some thing about them not reading the case file and this is something that is common with temporary social workers.
It was however touching to read the story of Aimee and I am pleased to here that she was given the opportunity to experience what every child should, a safe and loving home environment and I am sure Cathy's work contributed to this happy ending.
August 14, 2018
This book is another heartfelt book by Cathy Glass! This is on the top of my list. These books are horrific and it's awful that they are true stories, but it really makes you want to make a difference in the lives of children and the foster care system.
Highly recommend reading all of the books by this author.
Highly recommend reading all of the books by this author.
February 12, 2021
A great insight to the fostering life and the wild ride it is.
April 16, 2013
This book has been a real eye opener for me. I have read many books in the past in this genre, but each one seems to teach me something new. This one allowed me to see things from several different perspectives to give me a greater understanding of such situations.
Obviously it's not a happy, light hearted holiday read. Yes it is very emotional (all ranges of emotions) at times. It is hard to believe that it is true sometimes.
I couldn't put it down (though with 3 kids of my own, of course I had to), I thought about it in between reading, talked to people about what I was reading and even cried towards the end (happy and sad tears).
For anyone that wants to be a foster carer or just anyone that wants to have more understanding, I recommend this book and plan to read more of Cathy's books now. It is thought provoking, but inspiring and I am pleased to say that for Amy, it seems that when life couldn't get much worse she was given the chance of the future that all children deserve.
Obviously it's not a happy, light hearted holiday read. Yes it is very emotional (all ranges of emotions) at times. It is hard to believe that it is true sometimes.
I couldn't put it down (though with 3 kids of my own, of course I had to), I thought about it in between reading, talked to people about what I was reading and even cried towards the end (happy and sad tears).
For anyone that wants to be a foster carer or just anyone that wants to have more understanding, I recommend this book and plan to read more of Cathy's books now. It is thought provoking, but inspiring and I am pleased to say that for Amy, it seems that when life couldn't get much worse she was given the chance of the future that all children deserve.
July 12, 2015
"Another Forgotten Child" gets started from word one grabbing the readers attention and doesn't let go until you finished reading! Few authors seem to have the ability to impact a reader & reading experience like Cathy Glass does with this book.
While some parts are disturbing and heart-wrenching, Ms Glass does a superb job relaying everything in a matter-of-fact way. Ms Glass obviously has lots of experience in foster care and especially with more "disturbed" children - much kudos to her for taking on one of the hardest roles any person could ever do, in my opinion. Fostering can be highly rewarding and deeply disturbing and heartbreaking (I have family members that do foster care). The world could use more people like Cathy to help more of the Aimee's in need.
I would recommend this book to anyone that wants a glimpse into the "real world" of foster caring, anyone that is thinking about fostering (or even adopting).... I know Aimee & her story will stick with me for quite some time as I believe it was intended.
While some parts are disturbing and heart-wrenching, Ms Glass does a superb job relaying everything in a matter-of-fact way. Ms Glass obviously has lots of experience in foster care and especially with more "disturbed" children - much kudos to her for taking on one of the hardest roles any person could ever do, in my opinion. Fostering can be highly rewarding and deeply disturbing and heartbreaking (I have family members that do foster care). The world could use more people like Cathy to help more of the Aimee's in need.
I would recommend this book to anyone that wants a glimpse into the "real world" of foster caring, anyone that is thinking about fostering (or even adopting).... I know Aimee & her story will stick with me for quite some time as I believe it was intended.
March 31, 2013
Another Forgotten Child is a well-written book in the sense that there is no great flaw in grammar and style.
The author is a professional foster parent and a damn good one. Her level of observation is acute and the results of this will leave you aching for the children involved, and furious with the competencies of the adults.
The bureaucratic nature of the British system will leave you grinding your teeth -- though I'm sure our system here in the US is no better.
What I enjoyed about the book was the insight that Ms. Glass provided into how the system worked. I also enjoyed watching her use her people skills to get through the system, and to aid these children in need.
For some reason though I can't bring myself to give the book more than 3.5 STARS. My main problem being that I thought the book ran a bit long.
Interesting without being fascinating. I'm not encouraged to pick up another volume by this author, though I can understand why others would.
The author is a professional foster parent and a damn good one. Her level of observation is acute and the results of this will leave you aching for the children involved, and furious with the competencies of the adults.
The bureaucratic nature of the British system will leave you grinding your teeth -- though I'm sure our system here in the US is no better.
What I enjoyed about the book was the insight that Ms. Glass provided into how the system worked. I also enjoyed watching her use her people skills to get through the system, and to aid these children in need.
For some reason though I can't bring myself to give the book more than 3.5 STARS. My main problem being that I thought the book ran a bit long.
Interesting without being fascinating. I'm not encouraged to pick up another volume by this author, though I can understand why others would.
March 4, 2013
Eight-year-old Aimee is an angry child and one that is used to doing what she wants. She comes from a home where here older siblings have already been through the foster care system and her mother is a drug addict. Social Services is trying to find someone to take care of this child, who has fallen through the cracks. In comes Cathy, who tries her best to give the girl the love and affection she sorely needs.
This is not fiction but true life stories experience by the author. It is interesting the see the problems that the British social service systems are similar to those we experience in the states. Cathy writes from the heart and Aimee’s story is heart wrenching. I found this to be a very moving memoir and appreciate the work the author has done for these children.
This is not fiction but true life stories experience by the author. It is interesting the see the problems that the British social service systems are similar to those we experience in the states. Cathy writes from the heart and Aimee’s story is heart wrenching. I found this to be a very moving memoir and appreciate the work the author has done for these children.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 290 reviews