Will You Help Me?: Ralph’s true story of abuse, secrets and lies

by Maggie Hartley

'Please help me,' he said in a small voice. 'Will you help me?'

Six-year-old Ralph has only been in the care system for three days and has already been rejected by three different foster carers. After hitting a teacher at his school and causing mayhem since he arrived four months ago, staff are unable to get a hold of his mum and her partner.

Social Services are called and when Ralph turns up at Maggie's house, she knows immediately it's going to be a challenge. Within a couple of hours, Ralph has trashed Maggie's house and spit on her face. After a nightmare first day though, Maggie notices that Ralph is limping and a hospital check reveals broken limbs and several injuries that are months and years old. Can Maggie help this troubled little boy who has been rejected by everyone in his life find his forever home?

From Britain's most-loved foster carer, a new powerful true story of abuse, family and hope.

Readers LOVE Maggie
'Wow! I did not want this book to end. This story was unlike any other' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon reader review
'Gripping and powerful read... makes you see what can be going on behind closed doors' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon reader review

Genres: Nonfiction, Fostering

231 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 15, 2024

Reviews

[Erica⭐ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was amazing and sad story about a little boy Ralph in which Maggie Hartley had taken in. It was very challenging for her to have to care for a boy who gone through so much in his early years of life.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love books like this . Not everyone’s cup of tea but sure does open your eyes to what some poor children have to put up with in their day to day lives that you wouldn’t necessarily know about. Most of the time there are reasons for children’s behaviour and as grown ups we need to be able to understand that. Not in all cases though

[Jo Oakins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hats off to every foster carer! a heart felt story, I hope Ralph & his sisters have a bright future ahead of them thanks to the wonderful carers who have fostered and adopted them x

[mois reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ralph

Omg what a book that poor boy how can anyone treat a child like that but with Maggie's help Ralph will get better 5 STARS

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Real blow to the system, well written, seriously effected me, couldnt put it down

[Emma Dailly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy reading true life stories and this one was heartbreaking and warming in equal measure. Thank goodness there are people like Maggie Hartley in this cruel world. ❤

[Rosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a heartbreaking story. The writing is incredible though you can truly feel the pain of everyone involved in Ralph’s case. You just feel for them so much, it is truly heartbreaking what poor Ralph had to go through at such a young age. I would love to Foster in the (hopefully near) future. Highly recommend this book it is heart warming read. This is a very moving story, how Maggie copes I don't know. She is an amazing woman. I can’t wait to read all of Maggie's books. I felt so sorry for what poor Ralph went through and it brought tears to my eyes. Maggie is a truly amazing person. Definitely recommend reading this one.

🌺Spoilers🌺

Before Ralph got his autism diagnosis, I had a feeling that he was Autistic as our youngest son is and it made me think that perhaps Ralph has got autism. I was so pleased that Maggie was able to help Ralph and so pleased that Ralph went to live with his new long term foster family who have adopted Ralph's half sisters.
🌺End of spoilers🌺








Thank you Maggie for all you do for these troubles youngsters.

[Jemma Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved reading this book, it was also extremely moving and upsetting to learn what Ralph went through and it just broke my heart that some children have been abused like that or are currently being treated like that! Throughout the book, you can feel the pain of everyone involved in Ralph's case and I truly felt horrible for Ralph and I just wanted to take his pain away from how much he’s been through at such a young age and it really brought tears to my eyes.

I definitely recommend everyone to read Maggie’s books as I love them and love learning about the children Maggie has cared and fostered for and the children who she herself changed their life’s!

5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Rebecca Fowkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic book from Maggie Hartley, I couldn't put it down and read it within 8 hours. I felt so sorry for what poor Ralph went through and it brought tears to my eyes. Maggie is a truly amazing person. Definitely recommend reading this one.


Spoilers below:

Before Ralph got his autism diagnosis, I had a feeling that he was Autistic as our youngest son is and it made me think that perhaps Ralph has got autism. I was so pleased that Maggie was able to help Ralph and so pleased that Ralph went to live with his new long term foster family who have adopted Ralph's half sisters.

[Kirstie Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely heartbreaking from the first page, but I couldn't put it down.
Maggie has the patience of a saint, and as a mummy of a little boy who has additional needs, I could actually relate to some of what she spoke about so I felt really connected to the story and felt invested as to how it would turn out.
Although obviously it's incredibly sad what the children in her care go through, it's always lovely to see how they come out the other side.

[Jacki Rhinehart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Good Read

Another good read by fostercarer Maggie Hartley! Ralph is a badly abused and neglected child in Maggie's care. It's amazing how Maggie deals with his issues from the trauma Ralph experienced at the hands of his parents. Thank you, Maggie, for the information about how to care for an autistic child. I will use some of your techniques with a couple children I care for. May God richly bless you and yours!

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read the book within 24 hours.

Maggie writes with such integrity and insight, as well as compassion and conviction.

I admire her resilience and strength to be the guardian angel Ralph needed and his safety net. No child should feel unsafe and unloved.

Hats off to Maggie and all the team around Ralph. Hopefully he continues to thrive and finds peace.

[Tanja Ragonesi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Great Story

In the vein of Cathy Glass, Maggie Hartley writes with detail, accuracy and warmth. She doesn't shy away from explaining the challenges of foster caring but does her best to be positive and pragmatic. This was a lovely account of a very special boy and all the people who had a hand in changing his life trajectory.

[Ian Mcnamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love every book I read by this author and this one was no acception. Ralph's story was so sad and it was terrible what he went through, Maggie however was very supportive to him and did not give up which was what he needed. I am glad he found his forever home and think he got the best case sinario for sure.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of love

5 stars, because as a foster carer for 24 years I could relate to this book.
There are sadly too many stories like Ralph's. We, as foster carers, need unimaginable strength to help our children. We can't change their past experience, what we do is give them the confidence to realise they are all VIP's.

[Brittney Thornock · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow!

I completely and utterly ugly sobbed during so much of this book! But the ending was what really got me! What a beautiful ending! I hope wherever Ralph is in life that he’s happy healthy and thriving. Bless Maggie for her consistent dedication to fostering and for never giving up on such a precious little soul. Hugs x

[Maureen H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Near broke my heart reading about little Ralph

A very moving story, how Maggie copes I don't know. She is an amazing woman. I've read all of Maggie's books, they are excellent reads. Thank you Maggie for all you do for these troubles youngsters.

[Denise Benjamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing and inspirinh

Having read all of Maggie Hartley's books, this is one of my favorites. Ralph's trauma is heart-wrenching, yet Maggie's unconditional patience, education, and live shines through brilliantly.

[Joanne Eglon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read in a few hours, such a heartbreaking read.

Told with compassion and love, I adore Maggie's telling of her life with the children she fosters.

Will look out for more of her work.

Would recommend 💕

[Stacie Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always the stories are heartbreaking, to think these things happen within the society we live in but are unaware of, I'm so glad Ralph got the Happy ending he so deserved such a page Turner could t put this book down.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maggie is such an amazing forster carer, so glad Ralph got to find his forever home with his half sister's and his new long-term foster carers. My first book of reading Maggie's stories of being a foster carer, sad at first to read, but amazing story in the end.

[Mrs C G Harbidge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank heavens for people as wonderful as Maggie (and Chris and Lynn)!

Easy to read, but not to accept. It is so distressing to think that there is such pain and suffering and it could be happening to so many children. A genuinely moving account of one little boys story.

[Kathy Hennessy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super short quick read but that was exactly what I needed after a couple of mammoth novels. This was so freaking sad. My heart goes out for foster carers who do their best to help kids with so much trauma.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to read if you are contemplating taking up fostering and think it will be reasonably easy. Maggie is a hero to keep her cool throughout. I know I couldn’t do it.
Thank goodness there are people like this who are there to help children who have been treated so badly.

[Boffinator3000 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book, following the journey of a foster carer and fostering ralph and all the challenges it comes with. Love that it’s a true story. I don’t usually get emotional at books but i really did with this, will definitely be reading more of Maggies books

[carol heslop · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliant book couldn’t put it down another great book from Maggie xx

[Mary Holskey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will You Help Me?

As usual, this is a very heart touching book. Well told, with compassion and love. I buy your books knowing the story will be well told.

[Norma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this author. It’s such a well written book but of course the story is heartbreaking.

[Elizabeth Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!!

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it! <3