Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

A Desperate Cry for Help

Rate this book
Twelve-year-old Meg arrives at Maggie's after a fire destroys the children's home she's been living in. Terrified and having lost most of her possessions, Maggie must work hard to make the vulnerable young girl feel at home. But traumatised by the fire, and angry and vulnerable, having been put into care by her mother, Meg is lashing out at everyone around her. Can Maggie reach this damaged little girl before it's too late? And before Meg's destructive behaviour puts Maggie's life - and the lives of the other children in her care - at risk?A true story of hope from Sunday Times bestselling author Maggie Hartley, a foster carer for over 20 years.'Tore at my heart strings' 5* Amazon reader review

73 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 24, 2019

296 people are currently reading
376 people want to read

About the author

Maggie Hartley

44 books372 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
486 (67%)
4 stars
155 (21%)
3 stars
62 (8%)
2 stars
15 (2%)
1 star
3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
Profile Image for Julie Haigh.
790 reviews1,005 followers
February 11, 2019
Very good read.

I really enjoy Maggie Hartley's fostering memoirs and this is a great addition to her books. And a bit different to any of the fostering memoirs I've read before, not had this scenario before.

Maggie is looking after Isla for a few weeks while her mum is in hospital and recovering from surgery. There has been a fire at a local children's home so Meg also comes to stay with Maggie for a short while until they have made the necessary repairs.

This was a very good short read. But not that short. About a third of the length of one of Maggie's regular books, but there was plenty of tension and adventure in there which keeps you intrigued.
Unpredictable, unexpected.

It's amazing there are people like Maggie Hartley who continue to foster children, difficult children sometimes. Sometimes ones who do untold damage and put Maggie and other members of her household at risk. They would be forgiven for throwing in the towel and giving up fostering. But they continue and help so many desperate souls to have a better chance in life. This is a shorter book as Meg and Isla didn't stay very long with Maggie, so she was right not to try to spin out a whole book.

I don't usually like short books, the variety where there are eg 40 pages, or sometimes even less-10 pages, that's not a book, and certainly shouldn't be charged for. This is far more substantial and I gladly paid 99p for it and it was money well spent. Certainly enough material here. It's been very good, unfortunately, there were a few tiny errors.
Profile Image for Monica Willyard Moen.
1,382 reviews32 followers
January 13, 2021
May God bless anyone who fosters children, whether formally or informally by helping someone who is a neighbor kid. This book is the story of one girl who is so angry that she has been put in care that she lashes out, hurting the very people who want to help her. It is also the story of a foster mom who is willing to do what it takes to help someone, even though it is causing her terrible pain. All I can say is God bless them all.
Profile Image for Chrisann Justice.
177 reviews2 followers
January 12, 2024
This was the first book of Maggie's that I've read but it is about the 40th fostering memoir. So not really a reflection on her book but I think I need a break from fostering memoirs. I've been fostering and have been reading fostering memoirs somewhat obsessively. It has helped me get through some difficult times and given me some ideas for how to handle situations. I think if Maggie's book had been my tenth I would have rated it a 5. I'm just ready to move on.
Profile Image for Angela Williamson.
4 reviews1 follower
February 23, 2019
Another wonderful book by Maggie Hartley. She is such a special person and her true fostering stories are always a great read. Yet again another one of her books I could not put down until I’d finished the book. We need a lot more people like her that want to help children in any way they can.
What an amazing woman but Maggie please don’t stop writing we all love your books
Profile Image for mois reads .
536 reviews1 follower
March 31, 2019
Meg

Another fantastic book from Maggie the love and devotion she gives to these children is amazing poor met sent to Maggie after the home she was staying at had a fire but it isn't all sweetness and light at Maggie's but with Maggie's help meg overcame all her difficulties 5 STARS .
Profile Image for Gail.
1,875 reviews17 followers
March 23, 2020
Arson

A child comes to Maggie's house after a fire in her school. Any mention of her Mother brings a violent reaction. When a fire starts in a shed in Maggie's yard, she becomes suspicious. Being a carer isn't an easy occupation as Maggie knows and tries to help this desperate girl.
2 reviews
January 14, 2022
Very very good book she is Is a wonderful Foster parent

This is the second book of read of her faster parenting I think she is 1 wonder 1st apparent because the book is the very I read it in no time at all I just could not put the book down I recommend this book to anybody specially if they are 1⁄5 foster parent
10 reviews
February 17, 2019
Another great story

I have read all of Maggie's books, so I was happy to see this new short story. It had a slow start for me because I had trouble connecting to the bratty child Maggie was fostering. But then the story took off and I couldn't put it down. Keep them coming Maggie.
63 reviews1 follower
February 20, 2019
I really like Maggie's stories of her fostering. This one was heart rending, because the child was so troubled. Maggie always seems to know the heart of each child she helps. She always makes a positive difference in each child's life.
2 reviews
April 16, 2019
Brilliant

Having worked in care all my life I love books that tell it as it is and Maggie is brilliant at doing that. She makes you feel you are living the so that with her, those poor children it's a pity there are not more Maggie's about
Profile Image for Bonnie Sherrill.
4 reviews1 follower
May 14, 2020
An amazing story

If all foster care was this caring and had the patients Maggie has , we would have some wonderful kids. I have absolutely loved her books. I have laughed and shed a lot of years. Now to start a another one
1 review
January 13, 2021
My review on this book

I really enjoyed reading this book ,I was really impressed how Maggie dealt with the situation she understood the little girl not feel sorry for her .
I would recommend this book
I read a lot of her books and I hope she writes more books soon
28 reviews
December 27, 2022
great story

I love her books! I’ve read them all. She is kind, patient and loving to her foster children. They’re very lucky to have her. I look forward to new books. Thanks Maggie, God bless
10 reviews1 follower
February 21, 2023
Another great read

Read this in one night. Could put it down. Maggie Hartley brings so many foster care stories to paper for other to learn about.

From one foster parent to another, thank you Maggie.
Profile Image for Desi Kleinczmit.
90 reviews1 follower
January 23, 2025
Sometimes what seems to be just difficult behaviour is really a cry for help. Maggie's being able to see that and still stand by this child when so many would not, made all the difference to the outcome. A short review for a short book.
6 reviews
January 26, 2019
Amazing

Loved this short story. Shame we dont know what happened to Meg after. Amazing as always from the lovely Maggie
Profile Image for Gayle.
118 reviews1 follower
February 12, 2019
Read this one in one night couldn't put it down
Profile Image for fiona Brien.
2 reviews1 follower
February 20, 2019
Amazing

So sad to read but what an amazing lady Maggie is. Such an inspiration to us all in many ways
35 reviews1 follower
April 6, 2019
Love it

I love reading Maggie's books and I always look forward to read more of Maggie's books. I am all set for the next book.
303 reviews4 followers
April 19, 2019
This authors books are available on Bookshare.
Was unstoppable persistence, this foster mother cares for a very troubled young girl.
8 reviews
April 28, 2019
Another excellent read

Gripping book. Only problem is it is too short, I feel lost now have finished all her books and am keen for her to release another long one.
Profile Image for michelle.
1 review
August 7, 2019
Great book

Very good book. Emotional. Just wish it was a little bit longer. I would recommend this book to a lot of people.
20 reviews
November 23, 2019
Emotional

Emotional look at some of life's unheard children. Tells the story of carers fight for children to do more than just survive.
5 reviews
December 10, 2019
A lovely ending

Loved how this angry girl has changed with someone who will support her. An easy quick read. Makes me want to take up fostering
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.