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Finding Stevie
Finding Stevie
Finding Stevie is a dark and poignant true story that highlights the dangers lurking online.
When Stevie’s social worker tells Cathy, an experienced foster carer, that Stevie, 14, is gender fluid she isn’t sure what that term means and looks it up.
Stevie, together with his younger brother and sister, have been brought up by their grandparents as their mother is in prison. But the grandparents can no longer cope with Stevie’s behaviour so they place him in care.
Stevie is exploring his gender identity, and like many young people he spends time online. Cathy warns him about the dangers of talking to strangers online and advises him how to stay safe. When his younger siblings tell their grandmother that they have a secret they can’t tell, Cathy is worried. However, nothing could have prepared her for the truth when Stevie finally breaks down and confesses what he’s done.
When Stevie’s social worker tells Cathy, an experienced foster carer, that Stevie, 14, is gender fluid she isn’t sure what that term means and looks it up.
Stevie, together with his younger brother and sister, have been brought up by their grandparents as their mother is in prison. But the grandparents can no longer cope with Stevie’s behaviour so they place him in care.
Stevie is exploring his gender identity, and like many young people he spends time online. Cathy warns him about the dangers of talking to strangers online and advises him how to stay safe. When his younger siblings tell their grandmother that they have a secret they can’t tell, Cathy is worried. However, nothing could have prepared her for the truth when Stevie finally breaks down and confesses what he’s done.
337 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 21, 2019
723 people are currently reading
1131 people want to read
About the author
Cathy Glass
175 books2,211 followersCathy Glass is a bestselling British author, freelance writer and foster carer.
Her work is strongly identified with both the True Life Stories and Inspirational Memoirs genres, and she has also written a parenting guide to bringing up children, Happy Kids, and a novel, The Girl in the Mirror, based on a true story.
Glass has worked as a foster career for more than 20 years, during which time she has fostered more than 50 children. Her fostering memoirs tell the stories of some of the children who came in to her care, many of whom had suffered abuse.
The first title, Damaged, was number 1 in the Sunday Times bestsellers charts in hardback and paperback. Her next three titles, Hidden, Cut and The Saddest Girl in the World, were similarly successful, all reaching the bestseller charts.
The name "Cathy Glass" is a pseudonym for author Lisa Stone.
Her work is strongly identified with both the True Life Stories and Inspirational Memoirs genres, and she has also written a parenting guide to bringing up children, Happy Kids, and a novel, The Girl in the Mirror, based on a true story.
Glass has worked as a foster career for more than 20 years, during which time she has fostered more than 50 children. Her fostering memoirs tell the stories of some of the children who came in to her care, many of whom had suffered abuse.
The first title, Damaged, was number 1 in the Sunday Times bestsellers charts in hardback and paperback. Her next three titles, Hidden, Cut and The Saddest Girl in the World, were similarly successful, all reaching the bestseller charts.
The name "Cathy Glass" is a pseudonym for author Lisa Stone.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews
September 21, 2019
I love all of Cathy Glass books, all of them have a very different story about the child she has fostered. I remember them all.
This one impacted on my right away when Stevie came to stay with her 2 grown children and herself.
Stevie is known to be gender fluid. I have learnt a lot through this book. Stevie is 14 years old but appears to me in some ways more grown up than in others but he does has a huge sense of right from wrong. Some choices he makes are from him being innocent in the world and from lack of an upbringing of being no so knowledgeable around certain issues. Him and his two siblings were being raised by their grandparents. The grandfather is “old school” and not accepting of his Grandsons way of life in the gender fluid aspect so it’s a struggle.
I Twitted that I was reading / listening to this book and tagged in Cathy. She said it had been a learning curve for her too.
I love how her adult children take more of a part too. After all, it’s not easy and it was good to hear them concerned about their mum and her stress level and exhaustion at times.
I could have reached out and hugged Stevie. Such a loveable boy.
I had no animosity toward his grandfather as most of his actions were due to ignorance.
I enjoyed listening to this on audio. What I love about audio is that it’s transportable whilst your driving or doing chores around the home or garden. I listen to them on speed too.
The voice was just right for this story to be told.
This one impacted on my right away when Stevie came to stay with her 2 grown children and herself.
Stevie is known to be gender fluid. I have learnt a lot through this book. Stevie is 14 years old but appears to me in some ways more grown up than in others but he does has a huge sense of right from wrong. Some choices he makes are from him being innocent in the world and from lack of an upbringing of being no so knowledgeable around certain issues. Him and his two siblings were being raised by their grandparents. The grandfather is “old school” and not accepting of his Grandsons way of life in the gender fluid aspect so it’s a struggle.
I Twitted that I was reading / listening to this book and tagged in Cathy. She said it had been a learning curve for her too.
I love how her adult children take more of a part too. After all, it’s not easy and it was good to hear them concerned about their mum and her stress level and exhaustion at times.
I could have reached out and hugged Stevie. Such a loveable boy.
I had no animosity toward his grandfather as most of his actions were due to ignorance.
I enjoyed listening to this on audio. What I love about audio is that it’s transportable whilst your driving or doing chores around the home or garden. I listen to them on speed too.
The voice was just right for this story to be told.
February 23, 2019
Another really great book by this author. Enjoy all of her books. The subject was very delecate but she handled it really well. The story of Stevie really brings home how important it is to keep yourself safe online and how vital it is to make sure your children are safe also.
January 10, 2024
Well, the summary all by itself annoys me. Being genderfluid does not automatically mean you're "struggling with" your gender identity. In this case it's the kid's guardians who are struggling with it, not Stevie. It's not really one of Cathy's better works; rather lacking in depth, and she doesn't go into the concept of gender fluidity as clearly as she could. Not to mention the total lack of any pronoun queries or comments, which is far from usual... Sigh. I don't know. Maybe if I weren't genderfluid myself I'd have liked this story more than I did, even though that was partly why I picked it up in the first place. Definite room for improvement.
Edit: Apparently it has an alternative title of "Lost Boy", now? And the blurb of that misgenders Stevie consistently. Dropping a star for that.
Edit: Apparently it has an alternative title of "Lost Boy", now? And the blurb of that misgenders Stevie consistently. Dropping a star for that.
May 19, 2019
3.5 stars, as it was an interesting memoir but a trifle patronising at times. Fostering children is one of the greatest gifts you can give to young people and carers deserve all the accolades in the world. There were times, however, when I felt the writing was a bit condescending but it may just be the subject matter? Some of the very basic descriptions of developmental stages and fostering processes were probably my biggest bug-bear. That, and advertising your other work, as subtle points of interest!
March 2, 2019
round up to 3.5. I always enjoy this author she is my favorite fostering memoir author however, I did not find this one as engaging as her previous work.
February 25, 2019
This is the story of Stevie who comes into Cathy's care after his behaviour at home gets out of control. It seems like a straightforward case but it really will stun you what Stevie has been up to. Cathy and her family do their very best to help him and you really get a sense of what young people may or may not be going through today.
March 17, 2019
Not my favourite of her books. The blurb mentions gender identity but although this is regularly mentioned, I didn't feel it was fully explored.
July 10, 2020
I usually enjoy reading Cathy Glass for the mystery of the children's backgrounds that she gradually uncovers, and for the insight into foster caring. But this one didn't seem all that well-written. It was full of non-sequiturs, opinions and thinly veiled attempts to teach instead of tell the story, that interrupted the narrative flow. The language and descriptions around trans issues and gender fluidity also came across as very dated for a contemporary book - I understand that the incidents described must have taken place years ago, but the storytelling itself didn't seem to have quite caught up. Not her best.
May 26, 2020
Not gripping and didn't flow as a story. Came across like the author was trying more to emphasise how she'd followed every procedure correctly. I read it because I wanted to get to know the main character, but didn't really feel like I did.
June 24, 2020
I don’t have much to say about this, but I am glad I read it because it taught me a lot. The main problem I had was the tone: the narrator wasn’t likeable, she was very self righteous and pompous so that put me off.
August 18, 2019
A bit too literal and over-explained for me, I needed to fight through all the unnecessary detail to be able to get to the story. Fantastic work that Cathy does as a foster carer though.
August 29, 2019
I love Cathy's books you can get so engrossed so quickly and you want to keep reading to find out the outcome to of its positive or not. It's heartbreaking and shows how with support you can turn someone around.
This is the story of Stevie who can't decide what gender he is and his grandfather who looks after him isn't happy about and he's off the rails and they can't cope his mums in jail so he goes to live with Cathy and secrets come out that could effect his future badly but will Cathy help and support him through it and will he except it to.
This is the story of Stevie who can't decide what gender he is and his grandfather who looks after him isn't happy about and he's off the rails and they can't cope his mums in jail so he goes to live with Cathy and secrets come out that could effect his future badly but will Cathy help and support him through it and will he except it to.
November 13, 2020
I keep going back and forth on how I feel about this book.
I had to keep reminding myself this was written by a middle-age cis woman to educated the same demographic, this isn't a gender coming of age book about trans people. If you are like me (grew up on the internet around circles of the LGBT+) you may find the book a bit tiresome and overexplained.
But it does help people understand the side of the LGBT+ a bit better, and seeing as it is a true story it is done pretty well with what it had to work off.
Stevie can be very unlikeable and for a kid of their age very naive, especially when they are trying to show how mature they are.
The book itself had amazing pace and had the twists and turns I always enjoy from reading Glass Novels.
I do have to say, you can see the slight uneducated side of Cathy even in how she writes the book (not just how she is in the story) as there is a few times the slur is used with such a casual tone by some of the main cast of the book, not going back in hindsight to realise that it was not appropriate.
As always I will be reading more of Cathy and her stories of fostering youth
I had to keep reminding myself this was written by a middle-age cis woman to educated the same demographic, this isn't a gender coming of age book about trans people. If you are like me (grew up on the internet around circles of the LGBT+) you may find the book a bit tiresome and overexplained.
But it does help people understand the side of the LGBT+ a bit better, and seeing as it is a true story it is done pretty well with what it had to work off.
Stevie can be very unlikeable and for a kid of their age very naive, especially when they are trying to show how mature they are.
The book itself had amazing pace and had the twists and turns I always enjoy from reading Glass Novels.
I do have to say, you can see the slight uneducated side of Cathy even in how she writes the book (not just how she is in the story) as there is a few times the slur is used with such a casual tone by some of the main cast of the book, not going back in hindsight to realise that it was not appropriate.
As always I will be reading more of Cathy and her stories of fostering youth
February 11, 2022
Quite Problematic in parts
TW there is a lot of homophobia and transphobia through out this book.
Slurs are used by Cathys own daughter and never really corrected. & the foster child's family.
Definitely not a friendly read for anyone who is lgbtqia2S+
And even though Cathy admits to knowing basically nothing she does nothing more than a quick Google definition search to educate herself on the identity related issues her foster child is going through .
Very much plays into the transphobic stereotypes in regards to predatory behaviour and sometimes Cathys attitude clearly demonstrates that foster carers need more Inclusion training especially if being placed with a child who is already openly out.
TW there is a lot of homophobia and transphobia through out this book.
Slurs are used by Cathys own daughter and never really corrected. & the foster child's family.
Definitely not a friendly read for anyone who is lgbtqia2S+
And even though Cathy admits to knowing basically nothing she does nothing more than a quick Google definition search to educate herself on the identity related issues her foster child is going through .
Very much plays into the transphobic stereotypes in regards to predatory behaviour and sometimes Cathys attitude clearly demonstrates that foster carers need more Inclusion training especially if being placed with a child who is already openly out.
February 20, 2020
A little too detailed for my liking. Also, I find Cathy to be quite a cold and clinical person which made it quite a frustrating read. Sometimes I just wanted to scream at her to put the child's feelings first ever so often, even if it's not strictly abiding by the rules.
2 stars.
2 stars.
January 29, 2022
Another great book by Cathy. This one was sad in the fact that not many people knew what gender fluid was myself included. It reiterates you can always learn from reading. I’m glad it was a good ending.
February 16, 2022
Not a bad book but some of the language and content is seriously outdated. When writing about trans people or gender fluid people, someone who is either of those or even indeed a little more current, should review the book before it goes to print.
Use of the word tranny (even in passing) is hurtful to trans people especially here trans/gender fluid youth. Also the characters commenting on a gender fluid youth having a beard ‘but not with makeup that would be too weird’ is also honestly pretty close minded.
I love Cathy and her family and the great things they do but I’m the LGBTQI regard I really think they need to be exposed to it more to avoid being offensive and close minded.
Use of the word tranny (even in passing) is hurtful to trans people especially here trans/gender fluid youth. Also the characters commenting on a gender fluid youth having a beard ‘but not with makeup that would be too weird’ is also honestly pretty close minded.
I love Cathy and her family and the great things they do but I’m the LGBTQI regard I really think they need to be exposed to it more to avoid being offensive and close minded.
June 18, 2023
Stevie is a teenager and brings many current issues to Cathy that she has never had to deal with - gender fluidity, online dating and distribution of pornographic images as examples. Cathy knows the theory and learns quickly to relate her knowledge to Stevie's experiences. Of course, Cathy shares her journey and the reader will learn with her.
It is very thought provoking and shows a positive side of society in it's treatment of Stevie.
It is very thought provoking and shows a positive side of society in it's treatment of Stevie.
February 2, 2020
Less engaging than most of Cathy Glass's writing., but interesting to see how Cathy handles a runaway teen, and deals with online safety.
March 27, 2019
I love Cathy Glass' books. They are easy to read and its fascinating to see the development of foster care over the years. In this book, Cathy must deal with a child who gets into trouble "sexting".
June 29, 2021
A story of Stevie who is gender fluid. His grandfather can't quite come to terms with it so he goes to foster care. Alot of emotions flow through this book.
January 26, 2025
Really good book from Cathy Glass, and covered issues around gender. This story was really tricky to read about, and a really sad situation that the young person had gotten themselves into! Shows how hard it can be to keep kids safe online.
March 2, 2019
Another great book by cathy
February 5, 2021
I love almost every one of Cathy’s books. They’re so easy to read, but give you a true insight into foster caring and she explores so many aspects of life.
February 27, 2019
I’ve always been a huge fan of Cathy glass’s novels I’ve been reading her books for years and can proudly say I’ve read every single one- sometimes even twice!
I love that Cathy can touch on any taboo subject- from arranged marriages, domestic abuse, drug addictions, and her most recent one about gender identity disorder. Cathy always writes her novels in an empathic manner and sensitively on events that can be upsetting. She knows how to draw her readers in and keep you engaged, it also gives you an insight in how the care and fostering system works for children teenagers and foster families, I will always be a massive fan of Cathy glass books and eagerly await her next one which is usually every six months.
I love that Cathy can touch on any taboo subject- from arranged marriages, domestic abuse, drug addictions, and her most recent one about gender identity disorder. Cathy always writes her novels in an empathic manner and sensitively on events that can be upsetting. She knows how to draw her readers in and keep you engaged, it also gives you an insight in how the care and fostering system works for children teenagers and foster families, I will always be a massive fan of Cathy glass books and eagerly await her next one which is usually every six months.
March 14, 2019
Amazing story of love And courage
Cathy certainly knows how to hook her readers,read this so quickly I couldn't put it down, Cathy always writes with love and energy,I can't say it was one of her best yet,because all her books are amazing,it would be hard to choose from a fabulous writer,carer and parent
Cathy certainly knows how to hook her readers,read this so quickly I couldn't put it down, Cathy always writes with love and energy,I can't say it was one of her best yet,because all her books are amazing,it would be hard to choose from a fabulous writer,carer and parent
April 1, 2019
Cathy is a foster carer who chronicles the stories of many of the children in her care. Stevie, a 14 year old, is the latest of these and he proves to be quite a challenge, not just in terms of his behavior but also because he is gender fluid, something Cathy has not come across before and she needs to learn quickly and adapt accordingly. Stevie and his two younger siblings were brought up by their grandparents, but Stevie’s behavior deteriorates to such an extent that they can’t cope any more and make the difficult decision to put him into care. When he first arrives at Cathy’s things go surprisingly well but then he starts to have mood swings which are accompanied by erratic behavior patterns. As the source of these problems is eventually discovered the whole family rally round to support Stevie through some difficult times.
On the whole I enjoy this type of genre, one of my all-time favourite books being “Dibs”, also a case study. I have read a number of Cathy Glass books and I must say that this was the one I enjoyed most. In some of her other books I have found the tone slightly patronising, but not in this one and I was full of admiration for her tolerance levels when coping with Stevie during his more difficult moments (and trust me, there were quite a few of those). Personally I would have been frustrated, angry and irritated, but I guess that’s why Cathy is a foster carer and I am not. I found the story very interesting and grew to admire Stevie as the story progressed and he began to cope with some of his issues in a quite mature way - with a lot of help from his friends. I also learnt quite a lot about both gender issues and the perils of some of the darker sides of the internet.
I did find that there was a certain amount of repetitiveness but that is largely a function of repeating behavior patterns rather than the writing style. There were a few small things that niggled and which I found both naïve and outdated in the extreme. One example was when she sent a “friendship” request on Facebook which seemed akin to referring to the “interweb”.
This book has redeemed my faith in the author and I would definitely read more of her case studies. Aside from the fact that they are interesting, I also usually learn something which is always an added bonus.
On the whole I enjoy this type of genre, one of my all-time favourite books being “Dibs”, also a case study. I have read a number of Cathy Glass books and I must say that this was the one I enjoyed most. In some of her other books I have found the tone slightly patronising, but not in this one and I was full of admiration for her tolerance levels when coping with Stevie during his more difficult moments (and trust me, there were quite a few of those). Personally I would have been frustrated, angry and irritated, but I guess that’s why Cathy is a foster carer and I am not. I found the story very interesting and grew to admire Stevie as the story progressed and he began to cope with some of his issues in a quite mature way - with a lot of help from his friends. I also learnt quite a lot about both gender issues and the perils of some of the darker sides of the internet.
I did find that there was a certain amount of repetitiveness but that is largely a function of repeating behavior patterns rather than the writing style. There were a few small things that niggled and which I found both naïve and outdated in the extreme. One example was when she sent a “friendship” request on Facebook which seemed akin to referring to the “interweb”.
This book has redeemed my faith in the author and I would definitely read more of her case studies. Aside from the fact that they are interesting, I also usually learn something which is always an added bonus.
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January 29, 2021Three things about Finding Stevie:
1. Gender Fluid representation
2. Child pornography
3. Terrible parental models
CAWPILE: Not Applicable
This was the first Cathy Glass book that really pissed me off. Not because of any Cathy did, as always Cathy is a perfect representation of how foster carers should be. But Stevie drove me crazy, and then his grandparents were just horrific to read about. I know they were always "trying to do the right thing" but they put his younger siblings in danger, and constantly put Stevie down for his choices.
Thankfully this book had a happy ending and it worked out for everyone.
1. Gender Fluid representation
2. Child pornography
3. Terrible parental models
CAWPILE: Not Applicable
This was the first Cathy Glass book that really pissed me off. Not because of any Cathy did, as always Cathy is a perfect representation of how foster carers should be. But Stevie drove me crazy, and then his grandparents were just horrific to read about. I know they were always "trying to do the right thing" but they put his younger siblings in danger, and constantly put Stevie down for his choices.
Thankfully this book had a happy ending and it worked out for everyone.
October 11, 2021
I just sometimes couldn't help but feel frustrated with the times Stevie went missing yet again, and again. One has really got to be very patient and loving and caring to be a good foster carer.
But I didn't understand how nobody warned Stevie of the consequence of seeing his siblings before the police investigation was over.... just told him the bloody possible consequences and a lot distress for everybody could be avoided!
You really don't expect a 14 year-old can grasp that on his own....
Not the most gripping story in Cathy's fostering series, but a good read nonetheless.
If I could, a 3.5/5 rating would be more reflective.
But I didn't understand how nobody warned Stevie of the consequence of seeing his siblings before the police investigation was over.... just told him the bloody possible consequences and a lot distress for everybody could be avoided!
You really don't expect a 14 year-old can grasp that on his own....
Not the most gripping story in Cathy's fostering series, but a good read nonetheless.
If I could, a 3.5/5 rating would be more reflective.
April 8, 2019
I have enjoyed all of Cathy’s books, but found this one very dull,compared to the others.
She seems to describe things in too much detail, which becomes very monotonous.
She seems to describe things in too much detail, which becomes very monotonous.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews