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A Maggie Hartley Foster Carer Story
The Little Ghost Girl: Abused, starved and neglected, little Ruth is desperate for someone to love her
Ruth was a ghost of a girl when she arrived into foster mother Maggie Hartley's care. Pale, frail and withdrawn, it was clear to Maggie that Ruth had seen and experienced things that no 11-year-old should have to, that she had been conditioned to 'see no evil, speak no evil'.
Ruth is in desperate need of help, but can Maggie get through to her and unlock the harrowing secret she carries? Through love, reassurance and patience, Maggie starts to unravel Ruth's painful past - a past defined by cruelty and abuse by the very people who should have protected her.
Raised by a cruel stepmother and her father after her own mum abandoned her, Ruth was abused, underfed and ignored while her half siblings lived a life of luxury. It's up to Maggie to help Ruth find her voice - to be a ghost no more and bring those who have harmed her to justice.
Ruth is in desperate need of help, but can Maggie get through to her and unlock the harrowing secret she carries? Through love, reassurance and patience, Maggie starts to unravel Ruth's painful past - a past defined by cruelty and abuse by the very people who should have protected her.
Raised by a cruel stepmother and her father after her own mum abandoned her, Ruth was abused, underfed and ignored while her half siblings lived a life of luxury. It's up to Maggie to help Ruth find her voice - to be a ghost no more and bring those who have harmed her to justice.
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First published September 8, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
October 30, 2023
Maggie Hartley, I am hooked!! Years ago, I enjoyed reading nonfiction books written by Torey L Hayden so much that I would eagerly await the next release. Then she stopped writing them. I haven't been able to find that "special author" since, but I believe I have now!! Beautifully written. Ruth is still on my mind, even after I concluded the story of this part of her life. I'm not sure yet if the narrator is the same person for all of Maggie's books, but this one was delightful! I would highly recommend this book.
April 28, 2019
I can’t even finish this book. It’s so boring. After the first few chapters it’s just a long boring description of all of the bratty things this kid does, with the author patting herself on the back for how well she handles it. 3 foster kids in the house and one is abusing the others both physically, and verbally and she basically does nothing. She doesn’t want to trigger poor Ruth. But what about poor Lily who is the one being smacked around? Then she watches her caregiver do nothing about it.
On top of being boring, can we please get some editing in here? Dialogue is the worst. Instead of putting everything one character says into a paragraph with quotes, you find yourself constantly trying to figure out who is talking. There will be one line of dialogue spoke by Maggie, then a new paragraph with new quotations. Usually that means someone else is speaking. But no. Most of the time it’s the same person. Each and every sentence doesn’t need its own quotation marks and a new paragraph.
Life is too short to read boring books. DNF pile just grew by one.
On top of being boring, can we please get some editing in here? Dialogue is the worst. Instead of putting everything one character says into a paragraph with quotes, you find yourself constantly trying to figure out who is talking. There will be one line of dialogue spoke by Maggie, then a new paragraph with new quotations. Usually that means someone else is speaking. But no. Most of the time it’s the same person. Each and every sentence doesn’t need its own quotation marks and a new paragraph.
Life is too short to read boring books. DNF pile just grew by one.
August 14, 2017
Maggie Hartley Puts the Care In Foster Care
What horrors poor little Ruth endured and how wonderful it is that Maggie Hartley could see the pain behind the attitude and
problems Ruth used as armor in a world that had shown her very little love. This book brought tears too my eyes and joy to my heart.
I likely read this book with maybe a bit of a different view, as I was a foster child in 15 homes from ages 8 to 18. I experienced some similar abuses and was, myself, a bit of a pain after being bounced and abused. I wish I had a carer that was as least half as kind, loving and intuitive as Maggie. She is a gift to fostered children and the literary world. Much love to all who give of themselves by being a foster parent and 3 cheers for Maggie!!!
What horrors poor little Ruth endured and how wonderful it is that Maggie Hartley could see the pain behind the attitude and
problems Ruth used as armor in a world that had shown her very little love. This book brought tears too my eyes and joy to my heart.
I likely read this book with maybe a bit of a different view, as I was a foster child in 15 homes from ages 8 to 18. I experienced some similar abuses and was, myself, a bit of a pain after being bounced and abused. I wish I had a carer that was as least half as kind, loving and intuitive as Maggie. She is a gift to fostered children and the literary world. Much love to all who give of themselves by being a foster parent and 3 cheers for Maggie!!!
July 2, 2017
I have a special place in my heart for foster youth and children who have been abused. Being able to read through Ruth's life and transition was beautiful. Seeing Ruth go from an angry child to a happy social child was also beautiful. The main goal for foster care is to be reunited with their biological parents or someone in the family. And to read a success story of Ruth being reconnected to get biological mom was amazing.
"You can't change what's happened to a child in the past but you can change their future."
"You can't change what's happened to a child in the past but you can change their future."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 27, 2024
This is the second time I've read this book, first read it in 2019 and I couldn't put it down again. I couldn't remember what happened to Ruth so it was like reading it for the first time. Maggie Hartley doesn't disappoint, this is a brilliant book. I felt so sad for what Ruth went through it brought tears to my eyes. Definitely recommend.
July 12, 2021
Thank God for good people who are willing to pick up the pieces for very bad people.
March 13, 2025
So similar to Cathy Glass or Casey Watson
February 18, 2018
Maggie makes me feel a bit jealous
Maggie Hartley clearly has the patience of a saint. Ruth tested Maggie more than anyone should be tested. Through it all, (poo parcels and all), Maggie remains steadfast and unruffled. Even if it didn't really happen this way, I like to entertain the notion that it did. A satisfying and, as Maggie would say, lovely read.
Maggie Hartley clearly has the patience of a saint. Ruth tested Maggie more than anyone should be tested. Through it all, (poo parcels and all), Maggie remains steadfast and unruffled. Even if it didn't really happen this way, I like to entertain the notion that it did. A satisfying and, as Maggie would say, lovely read.
September 21, 2019
Amazing story of selflessness, dedication, and courage.
Foster care has run the gauntlet of good versus evil in the experiences of both the providers and of those children in their care. This story is one case of a wonderful selfless provider who managed to help a damaged child gain a healthy attitude, and an opportunity to live a meaningful life. I appreciate the dedication and strength shown. I also marvel at the reality that a woman could devote her personal existence to helping secure a better life for those in her care. It appears that her own social needs have been ignored. Dedication such as this is rare. The foster care system has often been abused by providers for their own personal gain. Sadly, there are too few providers available, too few caseworkers to check, and a system that is lacking in protective monitoring. This tale was a British one, the United States must also have stories of the foster care experiences. Hopefully , there are many good ones to offset the bad.
Foster care has run the gauntlet of good versus evil in the experiences of both the providers and of those children in their care. This story is one case of a wonderful selfless provider who managed to help a damaged child gain a healthy attitude, and an opportunity to live a meaningful life. I appreciate the dedication and strength shown. I also marvel at the reality that a woman could devote her personal existence to helping secure a better life for those in her care. It appears that her own social needs have been ignored. Dedication such as this is rare. The foster care system has often been abused by providers for their own personal gain. Sadly, there are too few providers available, too few caseworkers to check, and a system that is lacking in protective monitoring. This tale was a British one, the United States must also have stories of the foster care experiences. Hopefully , there are many good ones to offset the bad.
February 16, 2025
Ultimate Love and Patience:
As heartbreakingly tragic as what Maggie Hartley books start out, you know that Maggie will develop the necessary applications into a desperate child's psychiatric damage. It's truly amazing how much she helps to bring forth the start of a lasting healing process for the troubled children under her care. Reading Ms. Hartley's books have taught me new methods of approach and management skills when I am experiencing extreme difficulties with kids. Especially when working with kids who have special needs or mental and physical limitations. Her books even present excellent examples of really good positive communication that is supportive of everyone involved with the child's case. Maggie's stories always end well, and I close her books at the conclusion, having new understandings and insights.
As heartbreakingly tragic as what Maggie Hartley books start out, you know that Maggie will develop the necessary applications into a desperate child's psychiatric damage. It's truly amazing how much she helps to bring forth the start of a lasting healing process for the troubled children under her care. Reading Ms. Hartley's books have taught me new methods of approach and management skills when I am experiencing extreme difficulties with kids. Especially when working with kids who have special needs or mental and physical limitations. Her books even present excellent examples of really good positive communication that is supportive of everyone involved with the child's case. Maggie's stories always end well, and I close her books at the conclusion, having new understandings and insights.
June 26, 2018
I’m a huge fan of Cathy Glass books - and I was recommended Maggie Hartley by Amazon. A fellow foster carer who, in this book - took on 12 year old Ruth. Ruth was a difficult young girl who had suffered awful abuse at the hands of her father. Her behaviour was challenging and hard to control and although it certainly had a happy ending, Maggie’s fostering “style” is very different to Cathy Glass. She’s almost abrupt. Blunt. I got the impression that Maggie genuinely didn’t actually LIKE Ruth - it was very apparent that her family found her an annoyance despite all the protestations that she’s “probably just a troubled girl deep down”. It didn’t make comfortable reading in the same way as Cathy Glass’ books do but I still enjoyed this & I wish Ruth all the best for her future.
February 19, 2019
Ruth came to Maggie as a foster child after she revealed the abuse she was suffering at home to her teacher. Ruth had been living with her father and stepmother since her mother had left the family home when Ruth was six. It was thought that her mother had left because she had discovered Ruth's father's relationship with her stepmother. Ruth was facing the prospect of having to give evidence against her father in court. Ruth was a very troubled child indeed. This is her story.
It is also the story of Maggie's role in Ruth's life, of how she was able to help Ruth and of areas where Ruth was still likely to have problems in the future.
It is also the story of Maggie's role in Ruth's life, of how she was able to help Ruth and of areas where Ruth was still likely to have problems in the future.
January 25, 2020
Sad story with a happy end
This is a well written book about an abused child dealing with her experience after being placed in foster care. The author describes the changes the child goes through while learning to cope .
The author, which is also the caregiver, gives Ruth the credit for being tough and "clever" enough to get through all this successfully while playing down her own role. I extend my congratulations to her for the good outcome. Using her experience, in combination with selflessness, patience and love, undoubtedly factored in just as much whether this child would blossom into a flower or a weed. Kudos to you Maggie!
This is a well written book about an abused child dealing with her experience after being placed in foster care. The author describes the changes the child goes through while learning to cope .
The author, which is also the caregiver, gives Ruth the credit for being tough and "clever" enough to get through all this successfully while playing down her own role. I extend my congratulations to her for the good outcome. Using her experience, in combination with selflessness, patience and love, undoubtedly factored in just as much whether this child would blossom into a flower or a weed. Kudos to you Maggie!
February 17, 2022
Honestly this book is really upsetting, it’s really disappointing to hear a foster carer call a child’s attitude embarrassing when she isnt interested in her new school. The child is 11 and has been abused severely. Honestly the more I am reading these fostering books I feel they would all benefit from being open minded about gentle attachment parenting. Kids are kids are kids. And a lot of foster kids hve a lot of their own issues. Being embarrassed by anything they do just despicable. Shelve your own feelings and help the children. Dnf
June 15, 2018
Ruth
Maggie has such a special gift to help any child in her care and with Ruth she needed that gift that poor child had gone through such hell at home with the people who were supposed to care and look after her she was beaten starved abused it's so hard to read of the way people treat children with thanks to Maggie Hartley and others like her who are the voice of these children 5 STARS for a brilliant book .
Maggie has such a special gift to help any child in her care and with Ruth she needed that gift that poor child had gone through such hell at home with the people who were supposed to care and look after her she was beaten starved abused it's so hard to read of the way people treat children with thanks to Maggie Hartley and others like her who are the voice of these children 5 STARS for a brilliant book .
March 5, 2019
Another life lesson
Another heart rending and warming look into the world of foster care . Always enjoy insight and flow of these life lessons. Rated 4/5 not beacause of the read but a few minor grammatical errors....also perfection leaves no room for improvement. Recommendation of all of Maggie's stories these to anyone I know or meet who has an interest in human behavior. These books could be used as studies in the value of even the most difficult of circumstances.
Another heart rending and warming look into the world of foster care . Always enjoy insight and flow of these life lessons. Rated 4/5 not beacause of the read but a few minor grammatical errors....also perfection leaves no room for improvement. Recommendation of all of Maggie's stories these to anyone I know or meet who has an interest in human behavior. These books could be used as studies in the value of even the most difficult of circumstances.
March 31, 2019
Awesome read
I truly hope these books are true. Although with all the pain and suffering, they are so sad. But being true makes them a better read. My heart goes out to these children and what they had to endure. It makes realize my childhood could have been a lot worse. Thank God for people like Maggie who has the knowledge and patience to care for these children. You are a true Godsend.
I truly hope these books are true. Although with all the pain and suffering, they are so sad. But being true makes them a better read. My heart goes out to these children and what they had to endure. It makes realize my childhood could have been a lot worse. Thank God for people like Maggie who has the knowledge and patience to care for these children. You are a true Godsend.
March 15, 2019
True story, set somewhere British but undisclosed, and names changed. Foster mom tells story of Ruth who was taken from her home due to sexual, physical and emotional abuse, and how, in the ten months Ruth lived with her she and the system and Ruth herself worked hard to make life worthwhile again.
July 9, 2019
This book broke my heart reading about the abuse Ruth had unfortunately had done to her. It made me happy to know what a fantastic woman Maggie is, and knowing she is always there for the children and will do what’s best for them. But again, after all her hard work and the effort she puts in with the children, it pays off!
August 16, 2019
I honestly could not put this book down! From start to finish I was intrigued to find out what happend to poor little Ruth. Maggie is an amazing foster carer and should be proud of how well she dealt with this challenging situation. A heartbreaking yet inspiring read and I can't wait to read more books by Maggie in the future.
September 28, 2019
Absolutely amazing read I just couldn’t put it down I hold my hat of to Maggie she is an inspiration there was no faults in this book at all
Amazing read and a brilliant out come in the end for Ruth I am so glad she got her happy ever after and that her so called dad got what he deserved
Amazing read and a brilliant out come in the end for Ruth I am so glad she got her happy ever after and that her so called dad got what he deserved
October 28, 2019
I was sucked in right away. While these books are never astounding enough for more stars. It’s still very good. I was reminded a lot of my foster child I took in who was 12 when I got her. Not as extreme. But many matching quirks. Maggie reminds me of myself in many ways too.
Though I love the sharing of the stories and experiences I’m curious how they can be shared due to confidentiality.
Though I love the sharing of the stories and experiences I’m curious how they can be shared due to confidentiality.
February 16, 2020
Another good read by maggie
So lovely to hear about the reality of fostering, the highs, the lows, the challenges and the moving forward. Maggie gives an honest account, strategies and demonstrates stickability. I wish Ruth all the best for her future and look forward to reading more books from Maggie.
So lovely to hear about the reality of fostering, the highs, the lows, the challenges and the moving forward. Maggie gives an honest account, strategies and demonstrates stickability. I wish Ruth all the best for her future and look forward to reading more books from Maggie.
May 20, 2024
This was an okay book. It was something I could listen to and not fully lose myself in.
The writing felt odd to me. It felt distant and lacked emotion. It came off as an outsider writing it. The story is sad when you think about it and what happened to Ruth, but for a memoir, I feel like it needed more. More details, more emotion, more... everything.
The writing felt odd to me. It felt distant and lacked emotion. It came off as an outsider writing it. The story is sad when you think about it and what happened to Ruth, but for a memoir, I feel like it needed more. More details, more emotion, more... everything.
January 23, 2025
The insight Maggie shows into her understanding of children is mind blowing. Understanding little signs show how her experience has shaped her ability to make a huge difference for the children she cares for. Her ability to explain how things effect the other children in her care and how she handles it or explains it so ultimately help them all is inspirational.
August 30, 2025
To be honest, I couldn’t finish this book. Got to chapter 6 and I felt like the writing was all over the place and I personally was struggling to get involved in the book. It’s like in one page something is happening and then it jumps to the next day and that continues all the time. So I was hard to read.
July 19, 2017
Tears & Laughter
I honestly don't know any other way to describe this book except for tears and laughter. It's a shame there has to be a need for foster care in our world but thank God for people like them because the good ones are truly God's gift to these children.
I honestly don't know any other way to describe this book except for tears and laughter. It's a shame there has to be a need for foster care in our world but thank God for people like them because the good ones are truly God's gift to these children.
July 21, 2017
I love these Foster carer books.. Although what these children have been put through is horrific, it's heartening to know there are people among us who can turn their young lives around.. I'm a sucker for a happy ending.
August 13, 2017
This book was very sad as it's about a little girl who was abused and neglected by her dad. It's about her fighting back from that and moving on. It definetly has a sad element to it and some people may find it upsetting.
August 28, 2017
Wish it was fiction.
This was a difficult story to read as I imagined the horrors of this girl's early life. Happily she is rescued from a horrible situation & appears to be on the mend.
This was a difficult story to read as I imagined the horrors of this girl's early life. Happily she is rescued from a horrible situation & appears to be on the mend.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews