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The Girl and the Ghosts
The Girl and the Ghosts is the third book from well-loved foster carer and Sunday Times bestselling author Angela Hart.
‘So, is it a girl or a boy, and how old?’ Jonathan asked as soon as we were alone in the shop.
My husband knew from the animated look on my face, and the way I was itching to talk to him, that our social worker had been asking us to look after another child.
I filled Jonathan in as quickly as I could and he gave a thin, sad smile.
‘Bruises?’ he said. ‘And a moody temperament? Poor little girl. Of course we can manage a few days.’
I gave Jonathan a kiss on the cheek. ‘I knew you’d say that. It’s exactly what I thought.’
We were well aware that the few days could run into weeks or even longer, but we didn’t need to discuss this. We’d looked after dozens of children who had arrived like Maria, emotionally or physically damaged, or both. We’d do whatever it took to make her feel loved and cared for while she was in our home.
Seven-year-old Maria holds lots of secrets. Why won’t she tell how she got the bruises on her body? Why does she run and hide? And why does she so want to please her sinister stepfather?
It takes years for devoted foster carer Angela Hart to uncover the truth as she helps Maria leave the ghosts of her past behind.
‘So, is it a girl or a boy, and how old?’ Jonathan asked as soon as we were alone in the shop.
My husband knew from the animated look on my face, and the way I was itching to talk to him, that our social worker had been asking us to look after another child.
I filled Jonathan in as quickly as I could and he gave a thin, sad smile.
‘Bruises?’ he said. ‘And a moody temperament? Poor little girl. Of course we can manage a few days.’
I gave Jonathan a kiss on the cheek. ‘I knew you’d say that. It’s exactly what I thought.’
We were well aware that the few days could run into weeks or even longer, but we didn’t need to discuss this. We’d looked after dozens of children who had arrived like Maria, emotionally or physically damaged, or both. We’d do whatever it took to make her feel loved and cared for while she was in our home.
Seven-year-old Maria holds lots of secrets. Why won’t she tell how she got the bruises on her body? Why does she run and hide? And why does she so want to please her sinister stepfather?
It takes years for devoted foster carer Angela Hart to uncover the truth as she helps Maria leave the ghosts of her past behind.
364 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 4, 2017
113 people are currently reading
282 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
November 24, 2017
Loved this book and one had me in tears in places. Glad of the happy ending.
July 31, 2017
I didn't enjoy it as much as the other Angela Hart books I have read. There seemed to be a lot of filler... easily the book could have been 100 pages shorter.
November 26, 2020
These true foster tales make me sad and happy, suck mixed emotions. I’m always happy the child escapes the horrible life they’re living, but sad at their circumstances. It makes them such emotional and troubled children. I was glad that Angela and her husband could provide a stable upbringing for Maria and they treated ever incident that occurred with in an amazing manner. I do marvel at these foster carers. I don’t think I could do it. They have such amazing patience and are always able to steer their charges in the right direction.
February 12, 2022
what a read!
What a journey of ups and downs this was! So many emotions can be brought the surface when you read this book. However I loved learning more from Angela and have enjoyed each and every book of the series so far! Bless Jonathan and Angela. So proud of success Maria has made of herself despite the cards she was handed as a young girl.
What a journey of ups and downs this was! So many emotions can be brought the surface when you read this book. However I loved learning more from Angela and have enjoyed each and every book of the series so far! Bless Jonathan and Angela. So proud of success Maria has made of herself despite the cards she was handed as a young girl.
July 4, 2023
I read this book in a day, I couldn’t put it down and when I did stop for a break (and to say “Hello” to my husband who had been at a funeral all day) I couldn’t stop thinking about the book and poor little Maria.
I won’t spoil it but I would like to say that I obviously know what foster carers do but WOW I never fully understood what they can go through fostering a child with a troubled past. I would like everyone to read this book, foster carers are amazing people, I couldn’t do their job I’m too emotional so thank you to all the people who can do it.
I won’t spoil it but I would like to say that I obviously know what foster carers do but WOW I never fully understood what they can go through fostering a child with a troubled past. I would like everyone to read this book, foster carers are amazing people, I couldn’t do their job I’m too emotional so thank you to all the people who can do it.
December 5, 2022
excellent
Another great story of loving, caring and courage given by two foster carers. Unfortunately I’m all caught up with Angela’s books, now what? I thoroughly enjoy all her stories. She & Jonathan are amazing!
As a child I should have been put into care and protected. I had no one to stand up for me. Too many years ago now.
I know you’re not religious but God bless you both for all you do!
Another great story of loving, caring and courage given by two foster carers. Unfortunately I’m all caught up with Angela’s books, now what? I thoroughly enjoy all her stories. She & Jonathan are amazing!
As a child I should have been put into care and protected. I had no one to stand up for me. Too many years ago now.
I know you’re not religious but God bless you both for all you do!
June 12, 2017
Really enjoyed this book. I think it's amazing what Angela and her husband Jonathan do.
Felt so sorry for Maria with reading what had happened to her. Was so pleased at the end of the book with Maria having a really good life now, working as a Teacher and also a Mum to two young boys.
Another brilliant book from Angela Hart.
Felt so sorry for Maria with reading what had happened to her. Was so pleased at the end of the book with Maria having a really good life now, working as a Teacher and also a Mum to two young boys.
Another brilliant book from Angela Hart.
June 9, 2019
I really enjoyed reading Maria’s story. After having such a bad start in life it was lovely to read how she progressed and settled into a happy young woman. I imagine her story is similar to many children and it’s heartwarming to to read how Angela and Jonathan embraced supporting a little girl so in need of love.
February 24, 2021
The girl with the ghosts
This book was an excellent read and insight into the ups and downs of fostering. I have taken away much from reading this book but the most important piece of advice is that never give up no matter how hard as hard work brings its own rewards. Thank you for sharing your experiences
This book was an excellent read and insight into the ups and downs of fostering. I have taken away much from reading this book but the most important piece of advice is that never give up no matter how hard as hard work brings its own rewards. Thank you for sharing your experiences
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September 18, 2021satur 18 sept just checked out at libr will be taking on holi with me to cornwall will start 20 pages then put it in the suitcase if its like her others will have to force myself to close it and put it away heartbreaking i can imagine what other humans to do to other humans is indescribable
May 23, 2017
Brilliant read
Wonderfully written. Thank you Angela and Maria,an inspiration. I'm so glad you achieved your dream.
Angela you and Jonathan sound amazing people.
Wonderfully written. Thank you Angela and Maria,an inspiration. I'm so glad you achieved your dream.
Angela you and Jonathan sound amazing people.
June 5, 2017
Another great read
Very good read bit shocked with social workers changing all the time .it's good though to read foster carer experiences which aren't in so current times
Very good read bit shocked with social workers changing all the time .it's good though to read foster carer experiences which aren't in so current times
May 3, 2019
Brilliant
Well written book factual and emotional, foster carers deserve a medal for what they have to see a child go through
Well written book factual and emotional, foster carers deserve a medal for what they have to see a child go through
November 13, 2019
Very good
January 2, 2021
So easy to read and yet so impactful.
April 25, 2021
Good book
May 1, 2021
This one was such a sweet happy ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2022
Welp, I hope Gerry and Christina get what’s coming to them, that’s all I’ll say for now.
January 8, 2023
canny rlly remember it
May 12, 2024
4.5 stars.
The only reason I didn’t give it 5 is there was a lot of unnecessary detail about procedures etc.
but apart from that this book was amazing
The only reason I didn’t give it 5 is there was a lot of unnecessary detail about procedures etc.
but apart from that this book was amazing
November 24, 2024
ALWAYS had something going on and never ever got boring
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January 25, 2025Incredible story. Wonderful inspirational foster carers.
July 9, 2020
Another great read
Love reading Angela's books it's an honest look into the reality of being a foster mum , all the positive and negative aspects. Great read. Ty .
Love reading Angela's books it's an honest look into the reality of being a foster mum , all the positive and negative aspects. Great read. Ty .
September 2, 2018
A very good read.
I've read quite a few fostering memoirs recently; by Cathy Glass, Maggie Hartley, and Casey Watson. Having never read any by Angela Hart before, I recently read her new release 'The Girl Who Wanted to Belong' and absolutely loved it. I read 'The Girl and the Ghosts' straight after as I enjoyed the previous one so much.
I read them the wrong way around really, as, this book features Maria, but, in the latest book, Maria was also in that one too-but it didn't matter at all going back to Maria's story.
I read it eagerly all the way through-I gave this book 4 stars, simply because Angela Hart's most recent book was even better, so I had to give that one 5 stars-so, to compare, this is 4-4.5. If you love this sort of book, Angela Hart is a great author in this genre. The books are written in an excellent conversational style. I just loved them and am looking forward to more by this author-I've already added her next book to my list (which I was pleased to see is due out Feb 2019).
I've read quite a few fostering memoirs recently; by Cathy Glass, Maggie Hartley, and Casey Watson. Having never read any by Angela Hart before, I recently read her new release 'The Girl Who Wanted to Belong' and absolutely loved it. I read 'The Girl and the Ghosts' straight after as I enjoyed the previous one so much.
I read them the wrong way around really, as, this book features Maria, but, in the latest book, Maria was also in that one too-but it didn't matter at all going back to Maria's story.
I read it eagerly all the way through-I gave this book 4 stars, simply because Angela Hart's most recent book was even better, so I had to give that one 5 stars-so, to compare, this is 4-4.5. If you love this sort of book, Angela Hart is a great author in this genre. The books are written in an excellent conversational style. I just loved them and am looking forward to more by this author-I've already added her next book to my list (which I was pleased to see is due out Feb 2019).
April 6, 2020
It was a good book and lovely story. I would have like it to have more of a flow to it as it did jump around to pass and present sometime and that could confusing
July 14, 2017
Another fabulous book by Angela Hart about her fostering a little girl called Maria.
I don't want to say too much to spoil the story but if you find fostering experiences interesting you will enjoy this book.
I don't want to say too much to spoil the story but if you find fostering experiences interesting you will enjoy this book.
November 10, 2017
Really good book
February 15, 2018
Excellent book
loved every bit of it and found it interesting and informative
loved every bit of it and found it interesting and informative
September 12, 2018
Okay but not as good as other foster carer books. Couldn't get into the characters somehow - too much like a list of events rather than becoming involved and liking the characters.
June 11, 2019
Another fantastic read from Angela Hart, couldn't put it down . Highly recommend
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews