Mirror Books Milos Story.

by Louise Allen

The eleventh instalment in the popular Thrown Away Children series.

Michelle and Andy are thrilled to be fast-tracked into fostering and are quickly paired with 7-year-old Milo – whom they hope will complete their family, making a ‘pigeon pair’ with their older daughter, Grace.

But Milo tears through their home like a raging tornado, destroying a beautiful interior – and their lives.

Their dream of a new home life costs Michelle her job, thousands of pounds in damages to their home and car, and leaves them with a traumatised daughter in need of professional support.

What are the secrets of his violent and destructive behaviours? Experienced foster carer Louise Allen steps in. Can she uncover the little boy’s disturbing past and help him?

Paperback

About the author

From an early age, Louise was adopted into a family who, from the beginning, said they didn’t want her. Her first book, Thrown Away Child, reveals the abuse and neglect she and a fellow adopted child suffered at the hands of their adopted mother, Barbara. Ten years ago, Louise and her family became a fostering family. They have looked after over twenty children, some have stayed long term. This led to the bestselling series, Thrown Away Children, where Louise is inspired by the stories of children in the care system. Within days, the book became a bestseller.

Louise now draws on her experience to write a new series of ‘How to’ books about adoption, fostering and parenting. How to Adopt a Child is the unvarnished truth about adoption. Louise is well known for “saying it as it is,” so not only is it witty and engaging, it also empowers adopters to feel confident and in control and to know where to turn to for help.

Reviews

[Uniflame · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did like Milo's story. But sadly there was too much about the current social work system. I get it, but it was said too much and took over the book, which made it a less compelling read than the other books

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Powerful and Heartfelt Read
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Louise Allen’s Milo’s Story is a deeply moving and unflinchingly honest account of life within the care system.

Having grown up in care herself, Louise brings a unique and powerful perspective, delivering a story that is both raw and full of compassion. Her blunt, no-nonsense approach makes this an incredibly engaging read. I adore that she doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities, but her love and devotion to children in the system shine through on every page.

If you appreciate authors who tell it like it is and share important, real-life experiences, this book is a must-read. And if you enjoy stories like this, come join our Facebook community: Fostering, Memoirs, and Fiction Book Club. It’s a great space for readers who are passionate about these topics.

Highly recommend this book—it’s one that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.

[Kelly Ferrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Milo’s Story: Thrown Away Children series. by Louise Allen.
Milo is a 7 year old boy and has already had a hard short life … he has already had 2 foster families …
One being an elderly couple who just couldn’t keep up with his energy! His second foster carers where a middle aged couple who went into it for the money they had been promised .. again his energies were too much!
Louise is asked about taken him on … with very limited information … no case worker .. she takes him on with her normal gusto … weeks later still trying to get some background on him she sees this is not a normal situation. With a lot of observation she starts seeing what the cause may be ..
Can she get him the help he needs and will the authorities finally come through with some of the things he really needs!
Good read …

[Rebecca Fowkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic book from Louise Allen.
Where the book starts in Derby is my home town and where I still live so it was nice reading that bit.
The book starts with Michelle and Andy who decide to go into fostering, though it seems to me it was more Michelle pushing it. I didn't like them especially Michelle as all they was thinking about was the money they will make and not really how they can help any child/children they will foster.

Milo goes to stay with Michelle and Andy which doesn't work out at all and Milo goes to Louise and Lloyd who realise that Milo isn't just being naughty but Louise starts to wonder if Milo has got FASD.


I felt so sorry for Milo for how his life started out but I was so pleased that with Louise and Lloyd's help, he was becoming a lovely boy. I was so pleased that Milo was able to live with his Grandad and his fiancée and is now thriving.

I definitely recommend reading Louise's books, you won't be disappointed.

[Desi Kleinczmit · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Louise’s no-holds-barred writing style. She is not afraid to share her opinions or stand up for those she cares about one bit. While my heart aches for Milo and his experiences, Louise managed to find humour in situations, making me laugh at many points through her insightful perspective and writing. I deeply relate to her and gain valuable lessons from her that positively impact my personal life. One particularly striking aspect was her use of the movie “Inside Out” to discuss emotions. My youngest daughter struggles with emotion regulation, and this movie has been incredibly helpful for her. Louise’s explanation of the signs/symptoms of FASD, and the limited knowledge about it is easy to to understand and makes one think. Not only easily explaining it she also shows understanding of the stigma surrounding it makes it difficult for mothers to come forward (not just for Milo). She raises awareness about a topic that’s often overlooked, ignored and misunderstood.

[Heather Blair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this was another tale of a boy who was failed by his birth family and then by the “care” system that was charged to protect and care for him. Over and over again Milo was failed by failing to pass on information, omitting/lying about history, not providing a social worker or other services he needed, etc. It also gave a poor example of foster care providers who signed up for the wrong reasons. Simultaneously, the bit we heard about Lilly’s story was also discouraging. A long term foster child in the Allen’s home, a change in social workers and a lack of follow-up left her vulnerable to her birth mom. Tied to that was the way her mom, and the social care system, teamed up to cause additional problems for the Allen family. Listening to these books make me have tremendous respect for those foster carers who stick it out in a system that doesn’t always support them or the kids the system is designed to protect. The growth seen in the children is encouraging and hopeful, though.

[Maria P · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I enjoy about Louise Allen's writing about Foster care is that she doesn't sugar coat it. I found Cathy Glass would gloss over the issues with the system and Maggie Hartley would show some of the cracks but Louise tells it like it is - the good, the bad and the ugly.
Michelle and Andy decide to become foster parents - at first Michelle has these notions of grandeur of saving poor little children but not realizing that alot of these kids have real social and mental issues. Andy has visions of the money he will be raking in and possibly being able to quit working full time, a new car, etc. with the money they will be receiving from looking after foster chid(ren).
Louise steps in when Milo doesn't turn up to either Michelle or Andy's expectations (as well as cracks in their marriage!).
Overall, another great read for people who are into the foster career books.

[Julie Haigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best fostering memoir I've read in a while.

I have read quite a few fostering memoirs, but Louise Allen's are different: She was a fostered child, and was adopted. She tells of her experiences fostering children, but she has experience and empathy from the other side too.

This was so good!  I was glued to the pages right from the start.  Such a good read. Different to other fostering memoirs, e.g. Cathy Glass-she has a format, and they can be a bit repetitive-Louise Allen's have a totally different approach.  So different, so unpredictable to any of this genre I've read before.

What I like is that you get to find out background; of what happened before the child was in Louise's care.

Even though about difficult times, she sometimes made me smile with some of the things she said.

The best fostering memoir I've read in a while.

[Jill L.Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always Louise doesn’t disappoint!

This was a great story with a fabulous ending in terms of loving caring family.
It’s another eye opener to the fostering life and what can happen when drugs, alcohol and pregnancy are combined!
Thank you Louise Allen.

[Elizabeth Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good as always! I’m curious if the opening story is based on much fact or just Louise speculating? Either way, good book.

[Gail murray · Rating 3 out of 5]

boaring too much about lilly not enough about milo