What do you think?
Rate this book
Thrown Away Child
FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR Thrown Away Child is a memoir covering Louise Allen’s abusive childhood in a foster home, how she survived - using her love of art as a sanctuary - and how she hopes to right old wrongs now by fostering children herself and campaigning for the improvement of foster care services. It is a compelling and inspirational story. This book gives a voice to the many children who grew up unhappily in care.
285 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 28, 2017
176 people are currently reading
1513 people want to read
About the author
Louise Allen
17 books115 followersFrom 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.
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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
March 26, 2020
Wow what this woman went through is horrific. I felt absolutely shocked throughout the book and I’m shocked at how horrendously she was treated. She showed true courage and strength and I’m glad life finally got better for her.
March 5, 2023
3.5
This book is appalling, shocking, in so many levels. For some reason, during the end of 2020 and the start of 2021, I only read books about abuse, so I thought nothing can ever shock me anymore.
I went through so many emotions trying to finish this book. I had to put it down and stop reading a few times because the level of animal abuse mentioned is so horrific I had to stop and cuddle my own dog. I will never understand people who hurt animals. NEVER.
I applaud this author as she found it in her heart to forgive her foster mum for the physical and mental cruelty she put her, William and all the animals that lived with them.
You, Ma'am, are one of the strongest characters ever written.
This book is appalling, shocking, in so many levels. For some reason, during the end of 2020 and the start of 2021, I only read books about abuse, so I thought nothing can ever shock me anymore.
I went through so many emotions trying to finish this book. I had to put it down and stop reading a few times because the level of animal abuse mentioned is so horrific I had to stop and cuddle my own dog. I will never understand people who hurt animals. NEVER.
I applaud this author as she found it in her heart to forgive her foster mum for the physical and mental cruelty she put her, William and all the animals that lived with them.
You, Ma'am, are one of the strongest characters ever written.
Read
October 6, 2024This memoir is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Louise is subjected to years of cruelty and neglect by an unfit, sadistic adopting mother endures being tortured and terrorised by her love of nature and form and latterly the ability to capture what she sees in her artwork. With only minimal encouragement from some kindly teachers and individuals from the travelling community, Louise, with no other qualifications is eventually granted a place at art school by virtue of her portfolio and goes on to establish herself as an artist and author. This is an eye-opening book that makes you think again about deprivation and the vulnerability of children in the place they should be safest, the home. A difficult but rewarding read.
July 19, 2022
This book was recommended by someone in my book club. It turned out to be a difficult read, because the woman who wrote the book was horribly abused. It was easy to see the progression from being abused to becoming recalcitrant and rebellious, developing destructive coping mechanisms, and having inaccurate ideas about what family life was about. I was impressed by the way Allen took control of her own life and was eventually able to have a decent relationship of sorts with her abuser.
It was also yet another commentary on the horrible ineffectiveness of the foster care system (in Great Britain, this time, but every bit as broken and in much of the same ways). It is so easy for children to become lost in the system and their needs missed or ignored, especially if abuse teaches them to be silent and not to trust anyone.
One of the most salient points the author made is that, given all the horrible physical, emotional, and sexual abuse she suffered in her adoptive home, the worst for her was the educational abuse. All her life, she felt deprived of the knowledge and reasoning ability she was denied when she was kept away from school for weeks and months at a time. It's nothing less than amazing that she found such success as an artist and a writer. (I did some research on Allen's art, and it is really quite lovely.)
It was also yet another commentary on the horrible ineffectiveness of the foster care system (in Great Britain, this time, but every bit as broken and in much of the same ways). It is so easy for children to become lost in the system and their needs missed or ignored, especially if abuse teaches them to be silent and not to trust anyone.
One of the most salient points the author made is that, given all the horrible physical, emotional, and sexual abuse she suffered in her adoptive home, the worst for her was the educational abuse. All her life, she felt deprived of the knowledge and reasoning ability she was denied when she was kept away from school for weeks and months at a time. It's nothing less than amazing that she found such success as an artist and a writer. (I did some research on Allen's art, and it is really quite lovely.)
February 14, 2018
This book did shock me. It is utterly appalling what happened to Louise as a child in her foster home, and my heart went out to her. That she chose to forgive her foster mum for the physical and mental cruelty that she put Louise through is admirable. I liked what Louise had to say in the final few chapters of the book, about emotional abuse, and other subjects, close to my heart.
February 26, 2023
Super sad book...
March 14, 2023
Good, but very sad
October 20, 2025
what a heartbreaking and awful story 😱😭
A very weird opening listen though, so much raw truth and honesty which is not often talked about in many memoirs.
A very weird opening listen though, so much raw truth and honesty which is not often talked about in many memoirs.
September 12, 2022
The child who endured this experience, which is painful to read, was strong and enduring despite her horrendous life. At the beginning I didn’t think I could get through it. How adults can treat children is this manner are so foreign to me.
I was a social worker and supervisor after college and until I retired 33 years later. Another huge issue is returning children to their abusive, often addicted parents even thought little to no progress is made but I do understand that push. Would Louise have been better off with her biological mother, maybe
. I had thought in Britain, where I assumed more advanced than the US did a better job but quite possibly is not the case. I know public agencies are working towards smaller caseloads , parental classes and retraining but so hard to assess progress.
The main character and author, who also has her own children and fosters others, talks in the end about her adult life and her disappointment since there has not been enough progress. The privatization of agencies, a huge mistake in my opinion, are trying to make a profit. Disgraceful.
I suggest reading this if you can take it. the abuse of dogs , which happened frequently , along with other animals, is additionally disturbing. The caretaker is this story is extremely mentally ill. Plus others allowed this to take place.
Never wrote such a long review but it’s obvious that herein lies one of my passions. I was offered, by a family member of inadequate intelligence due to and accident, to take her second child, my sister raised the first one. Since I was divorced and raising my son and was house poor and time and energy deprived told them I just could not handle another child alone.
I still feel badly about the refusal but made the best decision for myself and my son who got his doctorate in bio-medical engineering. Tenured at Princeton at age 36 he runs his research lab which he loves plus some classroom teaching. Of course, his family is his number one love. I don’t think this would have happened had I taken in another child but guilt is always present.
I was a social worker and supervisor after college and until I retired 33 years later. Another huge issue is returning children to their abusive, often addicted parents even thought little to no progress is made but I do understand that push. Would Louise have been better off with her biological mother, maybe
. I had thought in Britain, where I assumed more advanced than the US did a better job but quite possibly is not the case. I know public agencies are working towards smaller caseloads , parental classes and retraining but so hard to assess progress.
The main character and author, who also has her own children and fosters others, talks in the end about her adult life and her disappointment since there has not been enough progress. The privatization of agencies, a huge mistake in my opinion, are trying to make a profit. Disgraceful.
I suggest reading this if you can take it. the abuse of dogs , which happened frequently , along with other animals, is additionally disturbing. The caretaker is this story is extremely mentally ill. Plus others allowed this to take place.
Never wrote such a long review but it’s obvious that herein lies one of my passions. I was offered, by a family member of inadequate intelligence due to and accident, to take her second child, my sister raised the first one. Since I was divorced and raising my son and was house poor and time and energy deprived told them I just could not handle another child alone.
I still feel badly about the refusal but made the best decision for myself and my son who got his doctorate in bio-medical engineering. Tenured at Princeton at age 36 he runs his research lab which he loves plus some classroom teaching. Of course, his family is his number one love. I don’t think this would have happened had I taken in another child but guilt is always present.
March 2, 2019
Wow what an awe Inspiring book. To have gone through so much when she and William were younger and to have lost her ally and best friend, the only person who truly knew what she was going through because he had the same treatment but he was taken away must have been so lonely.
Throughout this book I am so shocked that people haven't picked up what is happening to her and William. There are so many instances, through school and visits from the social worker that things could have been picked up on, but somehow they were missed.
This led to William being sent elsewhere and Louise feeling she was all alone again, and Louise nearly dying when she got a little older. It's so sad to think that Louise only had a handful of kind adults in her childhood and she very nearly lost that when she and william were stopped from visiting Sean the Irish traveller who lived in a caravan along with others in the field just past the end of Louise and Williams garden. When Louise was once asked to draw a picture of her family she added Sean to it as she felt Sean was the only real family she had and the social worker said she had to stop seeing him because they were concerned. No one asked Louise what was happening in her life and this is where they missed helping a little girl.
After reading this book. I'm so proud of Louise, of who she became and how she got through what she did and still cared a bit for Barbara after all she did. I know she also had a terrible childhood but I am. Not sure I could do the same and treat her with the respect that Louise did even after it all.
Wonderful and very sad book
Throughout this book I am so shocked that people haven't picked up what is happening to her and William. There are so many instances, through school and visits from the social worker that things could have been picked up on, but somehow they were missed.
This led to William being sent elsewhere and Louise feeling she was all alone again, and Louise nearly dying when she got a little older. It's so sad to think that Louise only had a handful of kind adults in her childhood and she very nearly lost that when she and william were stopped from visiting Sean the Irish traveller who lived in a caravan along with others in the field just past the end of Louise and Williams garden. When Louise was once asked to draw a picture of her family she added Sean to it as she felt Sean was the only real family she had and the social worker said she had to stop seeing him because they were concerned. No one asked Louise what was happening in her life and this is where they missed helping a little girl.
After reading this book. I'm so proud of Louise, of who she became and how she got through what she did and still cared a bit for Barbara after all she did. I know she also had a terrible childhood but I am. Not sure I could do the same and treat her with the respect that Louise did even after it all.
Wonderful and very sad book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 3, 2020
This is a rather sad book about a girl and her brother in long term foster care. The mother figure is abusive, the father stands by and does nothing, and there is an older child, also in care (through a different route) who is taught to abuse the children too.
With these sort of books I tend to want to finish them as quickly as possible so that I receive the reassurance that everything turns out alright in the end. I did check at one point that the main character's name and the author's name were the same just for that additional comfort, because I thought she might die at a couple of points.
The story is really sad, makes me want to foster, but also makes me wonder at the abysmal failings of social services. I know the story is set quite a few decades ago and it is easy to think it is not like that anymore, yet it is possible that this type of scenario is still happening to someone somewhere. I went to secondary school with a girl, and looking back she really should have been in care. I hope that her life was nothing like this.
Grammatically I spotted two mistakes, which was a little annoying as this very personal book deserved a perfect proof read.
The story did not grip me, although it made me think, and it is not the sort of novel I would recommend. However, it is a good read and I therefore rate it 3 out of 5.
With these sort of books I tend to want to finish them as quickly as possible so that I receive the reassurance that everything turns out alright in the end. I did check at one point that the main character's name and the author's name were the same just for that additional comfort, because I thought she might die at a couple of points.
The story is really sad, makes me want to foster, but also makes me wonder at the abysmal failings of social services. I know the story is set quite a few decades ago and it is easy to think it is not like that anymore, yet it is possible that this type of scenario is still happening to someone somewhere. I went to secondary school with a girl, and looking back she really should have been in care. I hope that her life was nothing like this.
Grammatically I spotted two mistakes, which was a little annoying as this very personal book deserved a perfect proof read.
The story did not grip me, although it made me think, and it is not the sort of novel I would recommend. However, it is a good read and I therefore rate it 3 out of 5.
January 7, 2026
Where do I start? This poor child Louise was treated so appallingly by so many people. It was truly heartbreaking.
I worked in child care for a number of years and often had to do Child Protection courses. I always struggled to believe the statistics of how many children are abused. By reading Louise’s story, and her experience of such awful treatment by not just her adoptive mother, but several other people too, makes you realise there are just so many bad people out there and that you should consider yourself exceptionally lucky if you never have to experience such treatment first hand.
I kept thinking the ill treatment by her adoptive mother couldn’t get much worse, but then it did. I was willing myself through the book hoping that her mother was to be found out and punished. Sadly she wasn’t, but I am so pleased that Louise managed to pull herself through her worst experiences and make a good life for herself.
This book will stay with me.
I worked in child care for a number of years and often had to do Child Protection courses. I always struggled to believe the statistics of how many children are abused. By reading Louise’s story, and her experience of such awful treatment by not just her adoptive mother, but several other people too, makes you realise there are just so many bad people out there and that you should consider yourself exceptionally lucky if you never have to experience such treatment first hand.
I kept thinking the ill treatment by her adoptive mother couldn’t get much worse, but then it did. I was willing myself through the book hoping that her mother was to be found out and punished. Sadly she wasn’t, but I am so pleased that Louise managed to pull herself through her worst experiences and make a good life for herself.
This book will stay with me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 6, 2023
As much as I love true stories about child abuse and “based on true stories” book, and I do have several authors that I love in this genre, unfortunately Louise Allen is not going to be one of them. And I just couldn’t get myself to finish this book.
I usually give every book a chance of reading at least 30% before I decide whether to go on or put it down. And as much as I would love, I just couldn’t!! I had to put it down!
I just couldn’t connect with the book. Her style of writing is not what I personally like and I wasn’t even feel urged to find out what happens to her.
And as much as I feel bad, and know she went through horrible things and had a horrible experience growing up.
I JUST COULD NOT FINISH IT!!!
I usually give every book a chance of reading at least 30% before I decide whether to go on or put it down. And as much as I would love, I just couldn’t!! I had to put it down!
I just couldn’t connect with the book. Her style of writing is not what I personally like and I wasn’t even feel urged to find out what happens to her.
And as much as I feel bad, and know she went through horrible things and had a horrible experience growing up.
I JUST COULD NOT FINISH IT!!!
February 10, 2024
I read this book because I was consuming a lot of content about foster care at the time, and I thought this first-hand account would be educational. The description led me to believe that there would be much more time spent discussing the author's own foray into being a foster parent and the application of her own experiences to the work. Instead it's pretty much entirely about her horrible experience in her foster home. My jaw dropped multiple times while reading about what this child endured, and I would be lying if this story wasn't engaging. I personally was just disappointed since I expected something else.
Read
July 25, 2022I found this book very interesting because it discusses some of the signs of child abuse that people can see outside of the house. One of the pieces I found most interesting was the foster mother abused animals and did so many times throughout the book. This is one of the signs I have heard is a sign of potential child abuse. I also found it interesting how Louise always felt like she wasn't good enough, even for people who never gave her that impression. It showed how much of a hold her foster mother had on her.
August 31, 2022
It never gets any easier reading true stories about child abuse. So why do I keep doing it? Perhaps I'm fascinated by the resiliency and fight these kids have and how they overcome the absolute horrors they live with for most of their lives. They often end up making a good life for themselves, get married, have kids who have normal lives, and have successful careers or great housewives. That's impressive, especially because that past never leaves you.
September 4, 2022
Holy cow! What a book! The author, who is a foster carer, lived a nightmarish childhood of epic proportions. I am amazed and awed that she pulled herself out of hell, created a successful life for herself and looks after foster kids and gives them far better than she received. It summed up the whole statement “We are all victims of victims”. She is a Phoenix forged in fire. Brilliant, but difficult read.
January 25, 2018
Wow
I went through so so many emotions reading this book.the way the abuse was orchestrated the sense of sheer evil from an abuser that was abused a vicious circle that thankfully didn't continue with Louise. Open honest no hiding anything a raw read if ever there was one but there was lightatend of tunnel for her. Chance to forgive to understand to move forward.
I went through so so many emotions reading this book.the way the abuse was orchestrated the sense of sheer evil from an abuser that was abused a vicious circle that thankfully didn't continue with Louise. Open honest no hiding anything a raw read if ever there was one but there was lightatend of tunnel for her. Chance to forgive to understand to move forward.
June 4, 2018
Well done Louise for writing this book.
I simply could not put this book
Opening up Pandora box took so much courage and strength of character my heart
was felt so sad that needed to know that Louise would survive, this book made my cry and questions society. People that abuse should be made accountable for the actions and the should be no for giveness. Thabk you for having the courage to write this book im sure this will help other to take up and stand up to these disgusting people that abuse.
I simply could not put this book
Opening up Pandora box took so much courage and strength of character my heart
was felt so sad that needed to know that Louise would survive, this book made my cry and questions society. People that abuse should be made accountable for the actions and the should be no for giveness. Thabk you for having the courage to write this book im sure this will help other to take up and stand up to these disgusting people that abuse.
June 27, 2020
A very heartbreaking yet inspiring read. I was horrified reading the awful abuse and neglect Louise went through in her foster home. I completed this book in less than 2 days as i was eager to find out how she managed to survive such a horrible childhood. Louise is truly amazing and she deserves the peace she now has.
November 25, 2020
Incredibly sad but inspiring
I am a registered manager for a children's home, I thought I was quite experienced and aware of abuse that my children I look after has gone through. This opened my eyes to how the system has changed, what to look out for and a knowledge on whats happened since the 60's. Highly recommended but my goodness, get the massive tissues!
I am a registered manager for a children's home, I thought I was quite experienced and aware of abuse that my children I look after has gone through. This opened my eyes to how the system has changed, what to look out for and a knowledge on whats happened since the 60's. Highly recommended but my goodness, get the massive tissues!
November 16, 2021
Such an immensely inspiring book. I cannot recommend this enough.
This woman is for me more impressive than any super hero I've ever heard about.
It is a very tough one as it shows tremendous treatment of children, but it is filled with hope, as the writer manages to raise above the cruel childhood and to stand up for others after she established herself.
This woman is for me more impressive than any super hero I've ever heard about.
It is a very tough one as it shows tremendous treatment of children, but it is filled with hope, as the writer manages to raise above the cruel childhood and to stand up for others after she established herself.
September 25, 2022
Get the tissues ready !
This was a story of terrible abuse of children who were meant to be loved send cared for ,Heartbreaking sad and bravery beyond everything endured by Louise. Who still fought to get life she deserved full of love and support. I definitely recommend this book 📖
This was a story of terrible abuse of children who were meant to be loved send cared for ,Heartbreaking sad and bravery beyond everything endured by Louise. Who still fought to get life she deserved full of love and support. I definitely recommend this book 📖
January 30, 2023
This book was a very realistic view of what children go through in the system. There were times where I’d laugh when she get revenge but A LOT of times where is fine myself bawling my eyes out. As a former foster mama myself, I hate hearing the things she went through but the ending was very touching!
January 2, 2024
Heartwrenching
Louise and William's treatment is appalling. The way Louise survives and thrives is inspiring. Thank you, Louise, for sharing your story so honestly and openly! And thank you for your continued work in fostering and helping so many young people through various means. May God bless you and yours.
Louise and William's treatment is appalling. The way Louise survives and thrives is inspiring. Thank you, Louise, for sharing your story so honestly and openly! And thank you for your continued work in fostering and helping so many young people through various means. May God bless you and yours.
January 9, 2024
Wow that’s all I can say… my heart breaks for Louisa and William how can a person be so cruel their foster mom was absolutely repulsive and abusive and cruel this just breaks my heart that they were not more things that were done at that time and how could these part children fall through the cracks especially since social workers did come out this story absolutely broke my heart
February 1, 2024
I have no words for how upsetting this book is. We all know that this goes on but we seldom read the stories of survivors. There were several times that I wanted to throw up, scream, heave the book across the room and weep. I read one specific part to my husband which infuriated him. He said he couldn’t hear anymore and his eyes started to well up. Read this book!
February 18, 2024
I have no words to describe this book. I was deeply saddened by this story no child should endure such abuse. I don’t care what color or religion you are, there is zero reason to be beat, belittled and everything else in between. Poor Louise and William. Louise brought herself up and continued to make a happy life after years and years of abuse. This is a must read 😊
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2025
After reading ten of the author’s books on being a foster carer, it was heart-aching to read about her own abusive upbringing. Knowing what an amazing mom and advocate she turns out to be kept me in hope as I read through her trauma. The world is definitely a better place because Louise Allen is in it.
January 30, 2018
Very emotional story
This is a very sad story of an abused child who came out good in the end. Reading this story made me cry a lot but also smile when she did well. I would recommend it to anyone well worth readind
This is a very sad story of an abused child who came out good in the end. Reading this story made me cry a lot but also smile when she did well. I would recommend it to anyone well worth readind
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews