Breaking the Silence: Two Little Boys, Lost and Unloved. One Foster Carer Determined to Make a Difference

by Casey Watson

From the Sunday Times bestselling author comes a true story of two deeply troubled boys both in need of a loving home.

This is the sixth title in the series.

The Watsons are astonished when they answer their front door to find their case worker with a small boy on the doorstep. Jenson is just nine years old. He was removed from his home thirty minutes earlier when it was discovered his mother had left him at home while she went on holiday with her boyfriend.

A couple of weeks later Casey is in for a second shock when she is asked to take a second nine-year-old boy, Georgie. Georgie is autistic and has been in a children’s home since he was a toddler. The home is closing and social services need somewhere temporary for him to stay. With her own grown up son, Kieron, having Asperger’s (a mild form of autism), Casey knows this is one child she cannot say no to.

The relationship between Jenson and Georgie is difficult from the outset. Jenson is rebellious and full of attitude and he kicks off at anything, constantly winding Georgie up. Georgie doesn’t cope well with change and is soon in a permanent state of stress. Despite Casey’s best efforts, her innate love for the children is being tested and she begins to question if she can handle Jenson’s cruelty.

But overtime it becomes clear that the boys have formed an unlikely bond. Could this be the solution to all of their troubles?

Genres: Nonfiction, Fostering, Memoir, Abuse, True Crime, Biography, Autistic Spectrum Disorder

304 pages, Paperback

First published June 6, 2013

Reviews

[BAM doesn’t answer to her real name · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good lord, Casey! It certainly took you long enough to figure that out now didnt it? I cannot believe with all of your talking yourself up in all,of these books you write that you had no idea what you were doing! i cringed Every.Single.Time. you and that woman at the school acted so judgemental about Jensen. It really makes me wonder if you made all,of that up because it seemed too obvious to this reader.

[Kasia (kasikowykurz) · Rating 4 out of 5]

No po prostu ech, wzruszyła mnie (:

[Amy Taylor-Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like all of Casey Watsons other books it is an amazing and inspiring book such a good read and a little emotional

[Crimelpoint · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lubię od czasu do czasu sięgnąć po takie książki. Nie zawiodłam się na niej, ale mnie też nie zachwyciła. Jest krótka i mimo ciężkiego tematu czyta się ją stosunkowo szybko.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

yet another heart breaking, heart warming story about foster care, and the challenges of such occupation. Kasey, you done it again. With your strength, courage, and devine love for the children.

[Dan Stern · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an experienced foster carer, Casey Watson always expects the unexpected. This time she is on the receiving end of double-trouble. A knock on her door finds her fostering link worker with a 9 year old boy Jenson. His mother has gone to Spain with her boyfriend leaving Jenson and his 13 year old sister Carey in a 'Home Alone' situation. Jenson has a cheeky-chappy persona but is also a bully and a truant who is more than a handful. His mother has neglected him. He has a 'big secret' that makes him feel he is being blamed for anything that goes wrong near him. Two weeks later Casey accepts another 9 year old boy, Georgie, who has autism (Casey's son Kieron has a mild form). Georgie has been in a childrens' home since he was 2. He attends the same school as Jenson and has a ritualistic ordered life-style. He cannot form working relationships. Casey is always up for a challenge never having 2 boys in care before says, "After all, how difficult can two little boys be?". Casey and the family are about to find out.

This is a wonderfully written account of the trials and tribulations she and her supportive family are faced with. The skill and judgement of dealing with delicate situations and more aggressive 'freak-outs' are a wonder to behold. Her training in behavioural management is stretched to the limits, yet Casey never gives up her belief that she can improve and settle their lives, in a loving and caring environment. Treat with respect and they may respond respectfully. When Jenson's secret is revealed, Casey realises she has misjudged him. With the burden taken away, Jenson undergoes a remarkable change. Her tale is captivating and extremely moving as we read of the improvements she can achieve. We also gain an insight of the life and living with an autistic child. Her work is demanding, rewarding and invaluable. Marvellous. An epilogue of the two boys progress follows. A highly recommended and emotional read

[Liane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did enjoy this book but I did also get quite frustrated. poor editing left some spelling and grammar errors as well as well known phrases which were written down wrong!

To say casey is meant to be some amazing foster carer I do find myself wondering if she is acting dumb to create story lines or, if events were genuine, if she is actually capable?? How many times will we have to read about her grandchildren being hurt or put in a dangerous situation by foster children, simply because she lacks the common sense and foresight to be responsible and cautious?!
I do enjoy her books, however I dont expect too much from them, I just like to read them and enjoy them for what they are. I am looking forward to the next book of hers that I will be reading soon.

[Rose Glover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my favourite by Casey but heart-warming all the same. I felt really her dilemma whilst looking after these two boys, who couldn't be more different. Georgie had autism, and although Casey's son has Asperger's in a mild form, she really struggled to know how to deal with him, and Jenson caused her so much hassle. Also, for once, Casey didn't actually feel like she 'liked' Jenson, although she adored Georgie. However, as the story unravels, her opinions do change.

As I say, not my favourite, but a good book all the same.

[Bubblesthefairy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yet again i put my self out there to be let down, After reading the last book by Casey Watson i thought id give the next one a try as i already had it. I feel just the same as i did about the last. It was ok if you have a wee while to kill but i wouldnt go recommending it to anyone. I have one more of her books that i may read as i think its a waste not to but i doubt ill read anymore after that one. Sorry Casey its just not for me!!!

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to like this book as I do every other one of Caseys but the poor grammar mixed with the fact I think Casey was a bit careless in how she handled the boys in the story has held me back.

[Merete · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learn so much from these kinds of books. But I have to say Kathy Glass' book are better. But still - one of my favorite authors!

[Lisa Garlick · Rating 3 out of 5]

To credit the Author I couldn't do what she does not at all.

But I don't get why she didn't hug Jenson when Georgie pulled his hair out, you'd think she'd have offered him a hug? (Kid can always say no)

I know that she favoured Georgie first and glad she put it right near the end but I don't get how you couldn't hug someone after that happened?

And I'm not a hugger !

Other then that, always a insight to know what its like in the system.

[Brent Seheult · Rating 5 out of 5]

My goodness

I am getting addicted to her books and my heart is breaking everytime a child is moved from her home. As for poor Jensen why did I not expect his mother not to be supportive and loving because she blamed him for his sisters death. Compelling read.

[Lish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was tearing up at the end of it. Like whyyyy those poor boys.

I have said it once I have said it a million times Casey watson is amazing!!! I don’t think I can ever get tired of her books and I could read them 100s of times

[Elizabeth Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about these two boys.

[Judy Hillier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Casey Watson’s books are so heart wrenching.
Foster parents who is trying to help little ones have a better life.

Very moving story!!!

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good

[Jenny McAteer]

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[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great one from Casey Watson.

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

Love the Government, hate your peers, here's some cheap drama exploiting real suffering for the profit of a scribe.

[PrettyTink Lollipop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good!!

This book is one of my favourite Casey Watson books, I've read so far. It's such a shame that Jenson Story didn't turn out the way Casey and Mike hoped

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

[Lauren Rea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic book by Casey

[Jennifer Molyneaux · Rating 3 out of 5]

A foster caregivers memoir of two 9 year old boys that she fostered. One was autistic the other was neglected by his single mother. Quite eye-opening narrative on autism.

[Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bless Casey for being so understanding of Georgie.

[Rachelle finn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book, about a foster carer and the challenges she and her family faced x

[Lacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Foster mom, Casey, takes in two boys of the same age, who are unrelated, but know each other from school. Casey must overcome her own hangouts to help both of them.

Contains: Cussing.

[Patti Dollinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was heartwarming but too many people cannot comprehend much of what happens to this family and the boys. To me it is a five star, well written account of her experience.

[Tanya Boulter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another winner from Casey Watson. I found it hard that Casey had trouble warming to Jensen. Loved Georgie

[Jingle ❀彡 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my heart, this book melted me. To be blatantly honest I had read this book because it came in a bundle with another Casey Watson book I had wanted to read. After finishing it I went on to this, and surprisingly found myself liking this even more. How Jensen and Georgie were had me so emotional and when Casey had maligned Jensen by accident I spent my time yelling 'Awwwww but Jensen!!!' He seemed the sort of mischievous kid that could cause headaches, yet deep down was so sweet and simply misguided. Georgie, on the other hand has his own lovable quirks. The way he parroted Doctor Who quotes to match the atmosphere despite being autistic brought a lot of laughter and mystery as to if he understood the lengthy and deep things he said.

Overall, I really did enjoy this book. I loved the fact Casey was honest in telling us she had misunderstood Jensen. No one is perfect, even a foster parent like her, and the fact she wasn't trying to cover this up made me endear myself to the books (and in turn her since she's narrating her life events). And in the case of Georgie she also showed how she realized she tended to be too overprotective of him, and needed to let go. This story narrates an unlikely friendship between a troublemaker and a kid who attracts it, and how it all comes about is really too adorable to handle.