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Sky: Child, Interrupted
Early in the decade of 2000, the Department of Human Services of Ellsworth, Maine, Child Protective Division, along with other municipalities, came under scrutiny for their questionable policies and immoderate tactics. Discover how a toothache led to a two-year nightmare for this quiet and law-abiding family. (Well... kinda quiet and law-abiding) SKY is a multi-emotion provoking love story about a mismatched couple and their struggle to save their marriage amidst their valiant battle for custody of their child against this powerful but once highly criticized state agency. An essential read for any parent who has picked up a drink or a drug. Interspersed with actual documents from the case, including brief news clippings, highly-personal letters and court decisions, Mr. West offers in chronological expose, a passionate exploration and stark contrast to the realities of substance abuse and parenting, with mental illness and morals and with his occasional awareness of a presence of God. Written with wry humor, seemingly at times to mask his own heartbreak, West lays out his perspective with blunt, piercing honesty while allowing the reader to be the ultimate judge.
236 pages, Paperback
First published July 2, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 15, 2017
There is a user on Reddit who claims to be one of the children of this mother. According to this user, there were indeed very very good reasons that this woman's children were taken away. The book should be "read with a grain of salt" as the author distorted things due to his romantic infatuation with the mother.
From the reddit user: "some of my earliest memories are pulling a needle out of my unconscious mother on the bathroom floor (I was probably 4), cleaning up her vomit, begging her to please wake up so that I could go to school today, and chasing cockroaches around whatever motel room we were living in at the time. Sometimes she would leave me with strangers for days or weeks at a time before coming back to collect me. I'm not saying she didn't love me, but she was the worst of addicts, and she was also very mentally ill. "
From the reddit user: "some of my earliest memories are pulling a needle out of my unconscious mother on the bathroom floor (I was probably 4), cleaning up her vomit, begging her to please wake up so that I could go to school today, and chasing cockroaches around whatever motel room we were living in at the time. Sometimes she would leave me with strangers for days or weeks at a time before coming back to collect me. I'm not saying she didn't love me, but she was the worst of addicts, and she was also very mentally ill. "
September 28, 2016
I enjoyed this story. It was well told. It's sad to know people really go through these kind of things. I hate so badly that some children are taken from their homes without good reason and some remain in the homes that they should be taken from. I am just glad I've never been mixed up in anything like that.
June 18, 2018
As someone who has also struggled against government agencies which are supposed to help families (rather than destroying them), this book hit really close to home
While the writing itself is choppy and certainly not error free, it is still a wonderful, emotional story that I think every parent in the world (and especially within the US) should read!
While the writing itself is choppy and certainly not error free, it is still a wonderful, emotional story that I think every parent in the world (and especially within the US) should read!
May 8, 2017
A very emotional and sad roller coaster ride.
This true story will shock you and fill you with anger, frustration and resentment for the people who claim to care for a child’s well-being. The power they are given drives them to the point of arrogance. Bill is a good dad, although he, like all of us, made some bad decisions at times. But the love for his daughter, Sky, was never in question. Having his family torn apart made him stronger, a better person, not that he was ever a bad person. But our bad decisions can change everything, if someone is cruel enough to take that advantage, as the DHS did.
I wish Bill and Sky nothing but happiness. And, Bill, those darn fancy names they use for ‘our mental being’, does not change the fact that you are a caring and honest guy full of love. To truly understand, you have to also understand the confusion the ‘condition’ effects your everyday decisions. I do. I still can’t fully explain it, but I’ve learnt to live with it.
The story was well written and I would highly recommend you read it.
This true story will shock you and fill you with anger, frustration and resentment for the people who claim to care for a child’s well-being. The power they are given drives them to the point of arrogance. Bill is a good dad, although he, like all of us, made some bad decisions at times. But the love for his daughter, Sky, was never in question. Having his family torn apart made him stronger, a better person, not that he was ever a bad person. But our bad decisions can change everything, if someone is cruel enough to take that advantage, as the DHS did.
I wish Bill and Sky nothing but happiness. And, Bill, those darn fancy names they use for ‘our mental being’, does not change the fact that you are a caring and honest guy full of love. To truly understand, you have to also understand the confusion the ‘condition’ effects your everyday decisions. I do. I still can’t fully explain it, but I’ve learnt to live with it.
The story was well written and I would highly recommend you read it.
June 20, 2018
Sky: Child Interrupted
I had my own reasons for purchasing and reading this book after learning about it via a newsletter from one of the authors whom I regularly read, Kevin Potter (Rise of the Overlord, The Fall of an Overlord, Metal and Stone). Although I obviously expected and hoped for more than received - I was envisioning more of a David and Goliath scenario - it was still great in showing how "The Department" (DHS) will run families into the ground with all of their rules and regulations (theirs, not the law), and still chew them up and spit them out before tearing them apart - too many times forever. Just because they can. And yes, I too feel they enjoy distributing their special brand of psychological abuse. I was a foster-child, so I, too, have firsthand experience with what was DYFS in NJ. (Hey! I could write a book!) (Not to insult Mr. West, but hopefully he'll get a better editor and proofreader.) This story is a very good example of how so many lives are basically destroyed by DHS, no matter what state you live in.
I had my own reasons for purchasing and reading this book after learning about it via a newsletter from one of the authors whom I regularly read, Kevin Potter (Rise of the Overlord, The Fall of an Overlord, Metal and Stone). Although I obviously expected and hoped for more than received - I was envisioning more of a David and Goliath scenario - it was still great in showing how "The Department" (DHS) will run families into the ground with all of their rules and regulations (theirs, not the law), and still chew them up and spit them out before tearing them apart - too many times forever. Just because they can. And yes, I too feel they enjoy distributing their special brand of psychological abuse. I was a foster-child, so I, too, have firsthand experience with what was DYFS in NJ. (Hey! I could write a book!) (Not to insult Mr. West, but hopefully he'll get a better editor and proofreader.) This story is a very good example of how so many lives are basically destroyed by DHS, no matter what state you live in.
April 25, 2022
If you are reading this book as a work of fiction then it rates much higher than one start, but given that the author wants you to believe it’s a true story, one star is all I can give it.
The child at the centre of the story does not agree that there was no reason for CPS to become involved. That child has made many statements regarding the events leading up to the first & second removal from the home & they’re pretty grim.
It’s a shame CPS cannot defend themselves without breaching privacy because it seems that nothing is stopping the author from calling his fictional prose a true story.
The child at the centre of the story does not agree that there was no reason for CPS to become involved. That child has made many statements regarding the events leading up to the first & second removal from the home & they’re pretty grim.
It’s a shame CPS cannot defend themselves without breaching privacy because it seems that nothing is stopping the author from calling his fictional prose a true story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 29, 2021
Research has found that this author , via social media (twitter and youtube) , has connections to a convicted, and now deceased paedophile. Just look up pipergate, it sounds absurd, but there's a dossier online which details his connection to said paedophile, and other strange activies (author using fake childrens accounts on twitter), due to their activties being via public accounts its easy to self verify the claims written .
April 22, 2020
I was promised a compelling story, and instead I recieved a story of falsehood.
9/10 has a little something for everyone
9/10 has a little something for everyone
September 16, 2021
Touching and honest
This book was riveting. A story about a father's love for his child in an honest and real way. I couldn't put it down.
This book was riveting. A story about a father's love for his child in an honest and real way. I couldn't put it down.
October 11, 2015
Bill met Rinska while he was sitting in at a group session. He learned that she preferred the shortened version of her name “Rini”. She was in counseling trying to win back the custody of her daughter. He was there working as an interns towards a degree as a social worker.
From the moment Bill met Rini she instantly captured his heart with her soul filled eyes. Shortly, the two of them found themselves inseparable. Together in each other’s arms they found a love neither one expected to experience.
When Rini learns that she is pregnant and due in the spring the couple is overjoyed. The two sees it as a means to start a new life together. As the years progress the couple and the newborn live a happy life. Then all of it is threatened when a misunderstanding brings to the door the Department of Human Services of Ellsworth, Maine, Child Protective Division.
Will they be able to keep their family together? When their actions against their daughter come under investigation?
SKY: CHILD, INTERRUPTED is a compelling book that is assured to provide an emotional jolt to anyone’s life. Through the pages you see how one family is threatened by false charges. As I read this book I was intrigued enough to research more of the Ellsworth, Maine Child Protective Division and learn how corrupt their system was at one time.
This book has a true to life feeling that has you questioning whether it is fiction or real life drama. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is searching for a riveting reading experience that will stay with you long after the last page is turned.
From the moment Bill met Rini she instantly captured his heart with her soul filled eyes. Shortly, the two of them found themselves inseparable. Together in each other’s arms they found a love neither one expected to experience.
When Rini learns that she is pregnant and due in the spring the couple is overjoyed. The two sees it as a means to start a new life together. As the years progress the couple and the newborn live a happy life. Then all of it is threatened when a misunderstanding brings to the door the Department of Human Services of Ellsworth, Maine, Child Protective Division.
Will they be able to keep their family together? When their actions against their daughter come under investigation?
SKY: CHILD, INTERRUPTED is a compelling book that is assured to provide an emotional jolt to anyone’s life. Through the pages you see how one family is threatened by false charges. As I read this book I was intrigued enough to research more of the Ellsworth, Maine Child Protective Division and learn how corrupt their system was at one time.
This book has a true to life feeling that has you questioning whether it is fiction or real life drama. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is searching for a riveting reading experience that will stay with you long after the last page is turned.
January 9, 2016
"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast."
This is a frightening book whether fiction or real. Government agencies that have power to ruin lives.It makes you think how chance circumstance brings them into your life, and how next to impossible to get rid of them. Yes there are times when children need protection, but not always.
The narration was excellent!
This is a frightening book whether fiction or real. Government agencies that have power to ruin lives.It makes you think how chance circumstance brings them into your life, and how next to impossible to get rid of them. Yes there are times when children need protection, but not always.
The narration was excellent!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews