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The Saddest Girl in the World
Minimal shelfwear. DJ has a crinkled upper spine and edge only flaw. No markings. Pages are clean and bright. Binding is tight.
326 pages, Hardcover
First published March 20, 2009
458 people are currently reading
4510 people want to read
About the author
Cathy Glass
179 books2,229 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 221 reviews
February 26, 2013
Cathy glass has done it again,
I get quite angry after I've read one of these books.. I pay £5-£6 and then I will have read it within 24 hours, it's so frustrating because I've remembered the story so well I never re-read the book.
Before anyone thinks that I read Cathy's books quickly because of simplistic writing then your wrong! I read them so quickly because of the way she tells the story, I get so engrossed and caught up hoping these unfortunate children have a chance at a better life that I am unable to put the book down. I'm an a level student and found myself taking the book into my six form today and picking it up at every chance necessary
Wanting to be a social worker myself, these books give me an incredible insight into what I will be dealing with on a daily basis because Cathy writes everything about it all (the process, the meetings, courts decision etc) and it's personally great for me
Cathy is an excellent author and a superb foster parent, I'm hoping to meet people like her in my future
I get quite angry after I've read one of these books.. I pay £5-£6 and then I will have read it within 24 hours, it's so frustrating because I've remembered the story so well I never re-read the book.
Before anyone thinks that I read Cathy's books quickly because of simplistic writing then your wrong! I read them so quickly because of the way she tells the story, I get so engrossed and caught up hoping these unfortunate children have a chance at a better life that I am unable to put the book down. I'm an a level student and found myself taking the book into my six form today and picking it up at every chance necessary
Wanting to be a social worker myself, these books give me an incredible insight into what I will be dealing with on a daily basis because Cathy writes everything about it all (the process, the meetings, courts decision etc) and it's personally great for me
Cathy is an excellent author and a superb foster parent, I'm hoping to meet people like her in my future
February 2, 2012
This is just as good as of the others Glass has put out. She does more than just give an inside view of what goes into fostering and readers of this genre are damn lucky she's also a good author.
More and more mis-lit comes out every month and most singles/couples are from a "non-author" who may or may not know how to write. I've read many and I've "liked" many. Even some that weren't written the best have made it to a high rating from me for any number of reasons.
But Glass' has a unique view here - she's not the victim, she's not the abused. She's helping counteract the abuse. And she can write.
I love children, my entire dream was to have a daughter of my own since I was about 12 years old. (I have one.) :)
But how Glass (and other foster carers) have the patience they must have I'll never know. Not only with the children but with the system and most definitely with theparents, I mean, criminals who have hurt these children in the first place. I'd like to be able to say I could do it but I'd by lying. My anger is too strong. I'd hurt someone who hurt a child and in turn would only hurt myself and possibly the very child I'd be trying to protect.
Another unique aspect t Glass' viewpoint is how fair she is with the system. She criticizes when it's called for and she praises when it's called for. There's no bias from her either way and that means a lot to me because I can trust what I'm reading.
Glass is the number one author in this genre IMO and she's who I'd recommend to a new reader without a second thought.
(I think I'm almost caught up with her books except for upcoming, unreleased books.)
More and more mis-lit comes out every month and most singles/couples are from a "non-author" who may or may not know how to write. I've read many and I've "liked" many. Even some that weren't written the best have made it to a high rating from me for any number of reasons.
But Glass' has a unique view here - she's not the victim, she's not the abused. She's helping counteract the abuse. And she can write.
I love children, my entire dream was to have a daughter of my own since I was about 12 years old. (I have one.) :)
But how Glass (and other foster carers) have the patience they must have I'll never know. Not only with the children but with the system and most definitely with the
Another unique aspect t Glass' viewpoint is how fair she is with the system. She criticizes when it's called for and she praises when it's called for. There's no bias from her either way and that means a lot to me because I can trust what I'm reading.
Glass is the number one author in this genre IMO and she's who I'd recommend to a new reader without a second thought.
(I think I'm almost caught up with her books except for upcoming, unreleased books.)
November 23, 2017
Para quem gosta do género está 100% recomendado...
Opinião aqui: http://baudatanocas.blogs.sapo.pt/a-m...
Opinião aqui: http://baudatanocas.blogs.sapo.pt/a-m...
June 20, 2021
I wan't to start off this very low start review with a few notes. First and foremost I think Cathy Glass is doing wonderful things as a foster mother. My dislike of this book has absolutely nothing to do with her as a foster mother or the foster system in general. This is not a book I would have ever chosen for myself. I hate reading about abused kids and I don't have kids of my own where I'd need parenting advice from Cathy. This was a gift.
This book is about a young girl named Donna who was mentally and physically abused by her mother and siblings before going into foster care at age 10. Donna has been told her entire life that shes worthless and ugly. She thinks her mother would love her if only she could be better and she is very sad.
Obviously, I had a lot of problems with this book. I'm going to start with the writing. The dialogue was so robotic. No one talks like this in real life. This is written like a work training video. Getting past the dialogue, Cathy makes this book about her instead of the child. The reader is informed many many times how great Cathy is, she is the best foster mother EVER, no one knows as much about fostering as she does. She is always the best option and everyone in the foster system looks up to her. I'm sure shes a good foster mother, but shes also tooting her own horn a lot. Cathy has two biological children and she makes sure to inform the reader often how much smarter her children are than Donna, the foster child. Which is entirely unnecessary info and just furthers the dialogue of Cathy being the greatest ever though her children.
My biggest problem with this book though is the ableism. Now this book was published in 2007 and it wouldn't have been considered problematic at that time, but I read it in 2021 and since this is my book review I can judge my enjoyment of it by today's standards. Donna does not speak when she arrives at Cathy's house due to 10 years of abuse. Cathy, after 24 hours of Donna not feeling comfortable enough to speak, basically bullies this traumatized child into speaking. She tells Donna, "I cant help you if you don't talk," implying that Donna will be sent away to another foster home if she cant or wont speak. This is gross. Cathy also keeps saying she's afraid of Donna because shes a "big girl" its never outright stated but her being "big" is often closely referenced with the color of Donna's skin and Cathy's fear of a 10 year old child seems to stem from racism. Cathy often makes Donna's trauma about herself and how amazing Cathy is about helping Donna. She constantly focuses on "fixing" Donna. When Donna finally goes to a forever home, Cathy is just shocked the foster system thinks a black women is better equipped to take care of Donna (a black child) than she is. Cathy makes sure the reader knows how much this black foster mother looks up to Cathy.
Overall, this book was not at all for me and I don't think it aged well.
This book is about a young girl named Donna who was mentally and physically abused by her mother and siblings before going into foster care at age 10. Donna has been told her entire life that shes worthless and ugly. She thinks her mother would love her if only she could be better and she is very sad.
Obviously, I had a lot of problems with this book. I'm going to start with the writing. The dialogue was so robotic. No one talks like this in real life. This is written like a work training video. Getting past the dialogue, Cathy makes this book about her instead of the child. The reader is informed many many times how great Cathy is, she is the best foster mother EVER, no one knows as much about fostering as she does. She is always the best option and everyone in the foster system looks up to her. I'm sure shes a good foster mother, but shes also tooting her own horn a lot. Cathy has two biological children and she makes sure to inform the reader often how much smarter her children are than Donna, the foster child. Which is entirely unnecessary info and just furthers the dialogue of Cathy being the greatest ever though her children.
My biggest problem with this book though is the ableism. Now this book was published in 2007 and it wouldn't have been considered problematic at that time, but I read it in 2021 and since this is my book review I can judge my enjoyment of it by today's standards. Donna does not speak when she arrives at Cathy's house due to 10 years of abuse. Cathy, after 24 hours of Donna not feeling comfortable enough to speak, basically bullies this traumatized child into speaking. She tells Donna, "I cant help you if you don't talk," implying that Donna will be sent away to another foster home if she cant or wont speak. This is gross. Cathy also keeps saying she's afraid of Donna because shes a "big girl" its never outright stated but her being "big" is often closely referenced with the color of Donna's skin and Cathy's fear of a 10 year old child seems to stem from racism. Cathy often makes Donna's trauma about herself and how amazing Cathy is about helping Donna. She constantly focuses on "fixing" Donna. When Donna finally goes to a forever home, Cathy is just shocked the foster system thinks a black women is better equipped to take care of Donna (a black child) than she is. Cathy makes sure the reader knows how much this black foster mother looks up to Cathy.
Overall, this book was not at all for me and I don't think it aged well.
December 20, 2011
Cathy Glass is one of those authors, who's books, I always look forward to reading. She is one of those special people who has an incredible heart and it makes you wish everyone in the world could be touched by her. The Saddest Girl in the World is another great book she has written. She is caring for a little girl named Donna. Once again, Cathy's patience and love as a foster carer help Donna through her issues from the horrible abuse she suffered from her Mother and siblings. Cathy's books are hard to read, some of the things these children go through are horrific but what she does for them is so worth the read!
http://www.hoteatsandcoolreads.com/20...
http://www.hoteatsandcoolreads.com/20...
June 21, 2025
A true story about a young girl who enters foster care after suffering extreme trauma and neglect. The story is written by her foster care parent, who recounts the challenges of helping a deeply wounded child learn to trust again, and the incredible difference one person can make in a child’s life.
July 12, 2010
This is the true story of Donna, a ten-year-old girl who was terribly abused and neglected by her mother and abused by her two younger brothers’.
Upon Donna’s foster care placement at Cathy’s, Donna is sullen, sad and non-talkative. Over the next fourteen-months Cathy and her own children, Paula six and Adrian 10, try to make Donna feel welcome and help her to adjust to living in a ‘normal’ family household. However, it isn’t always easy when one evening Cathy finds Donna in the bathroom scrubbing her hands with a bristled hand brush to the point her hands are red and raw. Questioning Donna as to why she was doing this, Donna replied: “Mum says I have to wash all the dirt off, but it won’t come off. I keep trying’’. It takes Cathy a moment to realize just what Donna is talking about and then it hits her like a ton of bricks. Donna is of dual heritage and her skin is a bit dark. Her mother, Rita, is white and her father is black and she had been forcing Donna to scrub her skin so she could be white like her! Instead of celebrating and encouraging Donna’s heritage, Rita had taught Donna to be ashamed of who she was. Bad enough that she suffered beatings with straightened coat hangers and skipping ropes with wooden handles and other horrible atrocities.
Cathy however, is determined to help Donna and eventually brings her to the point that she can accept herself but it isn’t an easy road. How sad that so many children in our society have to suffer at the hands of parents such as Donna’s.
This is was an excellent book.
Upon Donna’s foster care placement at Cathy’s, Donna is sullen, sad and non-talkative. Over the next fourteen-months Cathy and her own children, Paula six and Adrian 10, try to make Donna feel welcome and help her to adjust to living in a ‘normal’ family household. However, it isn’t always easy when one evening Cathy finds Donna in the bathroom scrubbing her hands with a bristled hand brush to the point her hands are red and raw. Questioning Donna as to why she was doing this, Donna replied: “Mum says I have to wash all the dirt off, but it won’t come off. I keep trying’’. It takes Cathy a moment to realize just what Donna is talking about and then it hits her like a ton of bricks. Donna is of dual heritage and her skin is a bit dark. Her mother, Rita, is white and her father is black and she had been forcing Donna to scrub her skin so she could be white like her! Instead of celebrating and encouraging Donna’s heritage, Rita had taught Donna to be ashamed of who she was. Bad enough that she suffered beatings with straightened coat hangers and skipping ropes with wooden handles and other horrible atrocities.
Cathy however, is determined to help Donna and eventually brings her to the point that she can accept herself but it isn’t an easy road. How sad that so many children in our society have to suffer at the hands of parents such as Donna’s.
This is was an excellent book.
February 23, 2017
I usually have very mixed feelings when reading books written by this author. Why? Because each story is about a child who in someway has been abused, betrayed, and thrown into the foster care system because their family cannot keep things together. That makes me feel sad and a little helpless and very angry. However, each story helps me understand and delight in the resilience of a child when she discovers the abuse was never her fault or responsibility and she discovers unconditional acceptance and love for the first time. I also feel happy knowing that there are people out there who are willing and able to act as Foster parents. It is something I would like to do, but my multiple disabilities would make that very difficult to qualify for. So I read about the children, pray for them each night, cheer them on as I think about them throughout the days, and feel good knowing that there are still good people living in our world today. It could be so easy to focus on the evil done by the parents and focus on the pain in the situations. That pain is very real. However, as both the Bible and modern psychology teach us, we can rise above pain and evil. We don't have to let it define us and keep us locked in forever. I am so thankful that we have the ability to choose how to react when bad things happen in our lives and how to handle what is happened in our past. This is one of the pleasures of True maturity.
May 2, 2010
This story didn't make me cry. I talked to my husband and I was telling him I couldn't tell if it was because I was cold, the author sucked at writing, or if she tried really hard to make it uplifting so that you didn't feel really sad. The home life for this little girl was horrible and I find it hard to imagine that . . . Well, I guess I don't like thinking that people in this world can do acts like this. I find it unbelievably awesome that these foster parents can take in a young child, love him/her, and then give them . . . back? To the parents or to another family or up for adoption. i don't think I would be able to. The one thing though that I do find slightly disturbing --- this author has written about some of her other foster children. Why? I kinda feel like she's using it for some extra cash flow. I thought it was just one. But, I don't know. . . . It was good.
June 2, 2023
4,5✨
I'm in my Cathy Glass phase, shut up
I'm in my Cathy Glass phase, shut up
December 20, 2025
Typical of Cathy Glass, the amazing progress that is always reached can feel fake and discouraging to those of us who work with difficult children in our real lives. However, it makes for a good story and much of it is also inspiring.
October 30, 2019
Such an emotional book. I cried a few times. I recommend it
August 11, 2013
Having a heart for children, I found this book very moving. I was so amazed that young Donna could overcome the challenges that she had faced in her first 11 years of life. But with the help of her foster mom she was able to overcome tremendous obstacles. I felt joy in my heart as she began to heal and went from the saddest little girl to the precious little girl who was finally able to feel happiness and pride in herself. Cathy's writing was thorough and heart warming. I admire how she fights for the children in her care and how she comes to love and adore them, even through difficult behavioral issues. Even through the worst of circumstances she never gave up on Donna.
April 12, 2015
I love reading Cathy Glass books and think what she has done for the children she has fostered is amazing. Each child is different and she makes sure she points that out in every book she writes. Whenever I read about the stories of these children I go through the emotions with them throughout the entire book and Donna's story was no different and if my boyfriend wasn't sat next to me as I was reading the end I would have most definitely burst out crying. Such a heartfelt story and I'm glad that Donna went down a different path to than the path her mother took with the help of those wonderful people around her.
June 26, 2014
I enjoy Glass' stories of kids in foster care that she's helped, particularly as I hope to be a foster parent someday. I find them inspiring and fascinating.
At the same time, the narrations make me a bit uncomfortable, as the stories of these children are really not hers to tell. How would you like your life and all your problems to be turned into a novel for everyone to read?
The 3-star rating reflects my inner struggle.
At the same time, the narrations make me a bit uncomfortable, as the stories of these children are really not hers to tell. How would you like your life and all your problems to be turned into a novel for everyone to read?
The 3-star rating reflects my inner struggle.
September 10, 2014
Loved it. It was so sad what Donna went through but she came out achieving and finding and grew up into a lovely young lady that achieved so much. I don't understand why people have complained about how Cathy writes in so much detail. I find it interesting and a pleasure to read you can imagine every second of the days she went through and I believe she writes perfectly.
Another book I have enjoyed and shed tears over. :)
Another book I have enjoyed and shed tears over. :)
January 13, 2011
I am so glad I finally finished this book that I will never read again! It was repetitive and at many times it was just plain boring!!! I hated it! Most of the main characters got on my nerves. I didn't enjoy this book at all and I don't recommend it!
February 11, 2023
Sad scared girl
Cathy Glass is a great storyteller. She writes about the children she has cared for as a foster mother. The children she has cared for over the years have been abused by their natural parents. I have read many of her books. Yet, I always want more
Cathy Glass is a great storyteller. She writes about the children she has cared for as a foster mother. The children she has cared for over the years have been abused by their natural parents. I have read many of her books. Yet, I always want more
August 24, 2014
Another excellent story by Cathy Glass.
A little repetitive at times but very well written. It made me cry. :(
A little repetitive at times but very well written. It made me cry. :(
July 14, 2014
Incredibly emotional book, with shock after shock after shock.
January 2, 2015
Again a horrifying story but wonderful ending
February 16, 2024
Mana otrā grāmata no šīs autores.
Bez šaubīšanās jau pirms lasīšanas ir skaidrs, ka šī nebūs viegla literatūra, kaut gan - beigās var saņemt viegluma sajūtu.
Autore strādā kā audžuģimene, uzņemot uz laiku savā ģimenē, kurā ir divas pašas atvases, bērnus, kas izņemti no savām bioloģiskajām ģimenēm. Šoreiz viņas uzņemtais bērns ir Donna - 10 gadus veca meitene no jauktu rasu ģimenes, kur māte ir alkoholiķe un narkomāne, tēvam ir mentāla rakstura problēmas, kuru dēļ viņš bieži ir slimnīcā. Lai arī ģimenē ir četri bērni un visiem dzīves apstākļi ir briesmīgi, tomēr Donnai nākas ciest visvairāk, jo nezināmu iemeslu dēļ māte viņu ienīst - ikvienā tikšanās reizē, verbāli pazemo un apsaukā, pilnībā nekautrējoties, ka blakus ir citi cilvēki, kas to dzird un redz.
Audžumammai ir jāpieliek lielas pūles ik dienu, lai uzmanītu un kontrolētu Donnas briesmīgās audzināšanas sekas, kas izpaužas kā Ketijas (audžumamma) bioloģisko bērnu izrīkošana un reizēm pat fiziska ietekmēšana, kā arī savas vērtības pilnīga neapzināšanās.
Ir gandarījums, pāršķirot lapas, vērot, kā tas bērns priecājas otro reizi dzīvē ēdot saldējumu, pirmo reizi svinot Ziemassvētkus vai saņemot dāvanas savā dzimšanas dienā, kuras viņa drīkstēs paturēt un tās netiks atņemtas, lai atdāvinātu kaimiņu bērniem, kā arī, kā mazpamazām iegūst pašapziņu un mācās saprast, ka viņa drīkst kaut ko gribēt un iegūt pati priekš sevis.
Spilgtākā Donnas atziņa, kas lika domāt, ka man būtu no viņas, ko mācīties:
"I think it would help me if I stopped wanting my mum to love me so much. I get angry because I try so hard to get her to love me, and when she doesn't, it hurts and makes me angry. I don't know why Mum doesn't love me. I haven't done anything wrong. I was the one who did all the housework at home, and I tried to stop us going into care. But I was blamed for everything, even those things that weren't my fault. I think there is no point in loving my mum any more. She hates me and she will always hate me."
Bez šaubīšanās jau pirms lasīšanas ir skaidrs, ka šī nebūs viegla literatūra, kaut gan - beigās var saņemt viegluma sajūtu.
Autore strādā kā audžuģimene, uzņemot uz laiku savā ģimenē, kurā ir divas pašas atvases, bērnus, kas izņemti no savām bioloģiskajām ģimenēm. Šoreiz viņas uzņemtais bērns ir Donna - 10 gadus veca meitene no jauktu rasu ģimenes, kur māte ir alkoholiķe un narkomāne, tēvam ir mentāla rakstura problēmas, kuru dēļ viņš bieži ir slimnīcā. Lai arī ģimenē ir četri bērni un visiem dzīves apstākļi ir briesmīgi, tomēr Donnai nākas ciest visvairāk, jo nezināmu iemeslu dēļ māte viņu ienīst - ikvienā tikšanās reizē, verbāli pazemo un apsaukā, pilnībā nekautrējoties, ka blakus ir citi cilvēki, kas to dzird un redz.
Audžumammai ir jāpieliek lielas pūles ik dienu, lai uzmanītu un kontrolētu Donnas briesmīgās audzināšanas sekas, kas izpaužas kā Ketijas (audžumamma) bioloģisko bērnu izrīkošana un reizēm pat fiziska ietekmēšana, kā arī savas vērtības pilnīga neapzināšanās.
Ir gandarījums, pāršķirot lapas, vērot, kā tas bērns priecājas otro reizi dzīvē ēdot saldējumu, pirmo reizi svinot Ziemassvētkus vai saņemot dāvanas savā dzimšanas dienā, kuras viņa drīkstēs paturēt un tās netiks atņemtas, lai atdāvinātu kaimiņu bērniem, kā arī, kā mazpamazām iegūst pašapziņu un mācās saprast, ka viņa drīkst kaut ko gribēt un iegūt pati priekš sevis.
Spilgtākā Donnas atziņa, kas lika domāt, ka man būtu no viņas, ko mācīties:
"I think it would help me if I stopped wanting my mum to love me so much. I get angry because I try so hard to get her to love me, and when she doesn't, it hurts and makes me angry. I don't know why Mum doesn't love me. I haven't done anything wrong. I was the one who did all the housework at home, and I tried to stop us going into care. But I was blamed for everything, even those things that weren't my fault. I think there is no point in loving my mum any more. She hates me and she will always hate me."
September 7, 2017
I really enjoyed this book.
The bestselling author of Damaged tells the true story of Donna, who came into foster care aged ten, having been abused, victimised and rejected by her family. Donna had been in foster care with her two young brothers for three weeks when she is abruptly moved to Cathy's. When Donna arrives she is silent, withdrawn and walks with her shoulders hunched forward and her head down. Donna is clearly a very haunted child and refuses to interact with Cathy's children Adrian and Paula. After patience and encouragement from Cathy, Donna slowly starts to talk and tells Cathy that she blames herself for her and her brothers being placed in care. The social services were aware that Donna and her brothers had been neglected by their alcoholic mother, but no one realised the extent of the abuse they were forced to suffer. The truth of the physical torment she was put through slowly emerges, and as Donna grows to trust Cathy she tells her how her mother used to make her wash herself with wire wool so that she could get rid of her skin colour as her mother was so ashamed that Donna was mixed race. The psychological wounds caused by the bullying she received also start to resurface when Donna starts reenacting the ways she was treated at home by hitting and bullying Paula, so much so that Cathy can't let Donna out of her sight. As the pressure begins to mount on Cathy to help this child, things start to get worse and Donna begins behaving in erratic ways, trashing her bedroom and being regularly abusive towards Cathy's children. Cathy begins to wonder if she can find a way to help this child or if Donna's scars run too deep.
The bestselling author of Damaged tells the true story of Donna, who came into foster care aged ten, having been abused, victimised and rejected by her family. Donna had been in foster care with her two young brothers for three weeks when she is abruptly moved to Cathy's. When Donna arrives she is silent, withdrawn and walks with her shoulders hunched forward and her head down. Donna is clearly a very haunted child and refuses to interact with Cathy's children Adrian and Paula. After patience and encouragement from Cathy, Donna slowly starts to talk and tells Cathy that she blames herself for her and her brothers being placed in care. The social services were aware that Donna and her brothers had been neglected by their alcoholic mother, but no one realised the extent of the abuse they were forced to suffer. The truth of the physical torment she was put through slowly emerges, and as Donna grows to trust Cathy she tells her how her mother used to make her wash herself with wire wool so that she could get rid of her skin colour as her mother was so ashamed that Donna was mixed race. The psychological wounds caused by the bullying she received also start to resurface when Donna starts reenacting the ways she was treated at home by hitting and bullying Paula, so much so that Cathy can't let Donna out of her sight. As the pressure begins to mount on Cathy to help this child, things start to get worse and Donna begins behaving in erratic ways, trashing her bedroom and being regularly abusive towards Cathy's children. Cathy begins to wonder if she can find a way to help this child or if Donna's scars run too deep.
February 4, 2021
Donna and her brothers are new to the foster care system, and shortly after entering, Donna is in need of a new placement. When she goes to live with Cathy Glass and her family, she strikes Cathy as one of the saddest kids Cathy has met during her experiences as a foster carer. As Donna slowly opens up and feels more comfortable in her new home, things are clearly more complicated than Donna just being sad.
My Mom suggested Cathy's books to me, and I'm so glad she did. It's no secret to those I'm close with that I hope to foster children some day when my children are a little older. So, when I'm presented with the opportunity to read about someone's personal experience, whether from growing up in the system or being a caregiver, I jump at it.
Cathy has a beautiful way of sharing her and her family's experiences honestly. She includes all sides of being a caregiver; the joyful occasions, the powerful moments, the inevitable challenges.
My heart broke for Donna and the life that she has lived. I admire the strength demonstrated by a child having grown up under the circumstances she did. Learning more about her story had me in tears. Seeing how she slowly changed while being in care, and the way the book ended off, left me in even more tears.
I will definitely be seeking out more of Glass's work.
My Mom suggested Cathy's books to me, and I'm so glad she did. It's no secret to those I'm close with that I hope to foster children some day when my children are a little older. So, when I'm presented with the opportunity to read about someone's personal experience, whether from growing up in the system or being a caregiver, I jump at it.
Cathy has a beautiful way of sharing her and her family's experiences honestly. She includes all sides of being a caregiver; the joyful occasions, the powerful moments, the inevitable challenges.
My heart broke for Donna and the life that she has lived. I admire the strength demonstrated by a child having grown up under the circumstances she did. Learning more about her story had me in tears. Seeing how she slowly changed while being in care, and the way the book ended off, left me in even more tears.
I will definitely be seeking out more of Glass's work.
August 20, 2017
Cathy Glass is no doubt a wonderful and compassionate human being. She has helped countless children overcome the horrors of child abuse. The Saddest Girl in the World is the first of her books that I have read. It details the story of little Donna, an abused child born to a trashy, narcissistic, cruel, and abusive mother who is white, and a father who is biracial (black and white). Donna is treated like a slave by her mother and siblings. She knows nothing of what is a normal, happy, loving home until the authorities bring her to Ms. Glass. Without giving the story away, let's just say that Ms. Glass and her children work together to make Donna feel the love that every child deserves. This is a great story if you're mixed-race, for many multi-ethnic children have at least one racist relative like Donna's beast of a mother Rita, and the issue of race and foster care is explored in this book. A truly great read!
October 5, 2017
The world could use more women like Cathy Glass. This is the first of her books that I have read, and I could not put it down. Currently I am almost done her book "Hidden". "The Saddest Girl in the World" really moved me. As a child abuse survivor, I will always have the utmost compassion for children who are mistreated by their parents. Donna, the little sweetheart in this memoir, is the daughter of an obese, low-life piece of trash named Rita, and of a mixed-race (black &white) father who suffers from a mental illness. Poor little Donna gets brutalized by her mother, (as well as her sister Chelsea), and Donna internalizes all of the pain. It is only when she stays with Ms. Glass and her lovely children that Donna gets better. Child abuse is one of society's ugliest problems, and people should be more open about sharing their experiences, in order to get closer to healing. Too many people live in shame. Now I feel inspired to become a foster mom. Thank you Ms. Glass for writing this
October 31, 2016
4,5 stars! Amazing read!
It tugs at your heart in the most casual way, like, even though it makes you cry, it also make you laugh. I'm not making sense, I know lol
Bu really, out of Cathy Glass books, this book is the only one that contains many laugh.
This make the book felt fresh because most of Cathy's books are too sad or distressing for laugh.
One thing that I cannot approve is the girl in the cover. Please, the girl in the cover. She doesn't even look multiracial!
I mean, almost all the cover kids on Cathy's books matched the description of the kids, but this book looks like nothing of the description given.
It's no wonder multiracial children don't like their colors, even the book that said it was OK to be black or yellow or brown was modelled by white kid.
It tugs at your heart in the most casual way, like, even though it makes you cry, it also make you laugh. I'm not making sense, I know lol
Bu really, out of Cathy Glass books, this book is the only one that contains many laugh.
This make the book felt fresh because most of Cathy's books are too sad or distressing for laugh.
One thing that I cannot approve is the girl in the cover. Please, the girl in the cover. She doesn't even look multiracial!
I mean, almost all the cover kids on Cathy's books matched the description of the kids, but this book looks like nothing of the description given.
It's no wonder multiracial children don't like their colors, even the book that said it was OK to be black or yellow or brown was modelled by white kid.
April 2, 2020
Cathy Glass is a brilliant writer. I started reading her books with the first being Innocent. After reading a couple more I realized they had a chronological order and have now started reading from the beginning. I have enjoyed each book I have read so far and they all get 5/5 from me. I definitely get immersed and feel all the frustration and happiness that Ms. Glass had during the time of fostering different children. In this story Donna really frustrated me but how Ms. Glass handles her foster child and her own children with such grace and her manner of doing so passes on to me. I feel such a calmness as Glass recounts how she diffused the negative situations. I am so pleased to have stumbled across her audiobooks on Audible, which is how I have been listening to them.
January 28, 2020
Cathy and her young children foster a 10 year old named Donna who neither speaks, makes eye contact, nor smiles. Donna was removed from her previous foster home because she bullied her younger brothers. Rejected by her mother and older sister, Cathy has to piece together Donna’s earlier life to figure out how to help her.
Donna has a father who loves her, but is terribly mentally ill and often doesn’t take his medicine.
Cathy starts to work to put Donna to ease, and despite some bumpy terrain, learns to love and appreciate Donna. Some of the revelations of Donna’s early years are heartbreaking, but Donna shows maturity and resilience and the story ends happily.
Donna has a father who loves her, but is terribly mentally ill and often doesn’t take his medicine.
Cathy starts to work to put Donna to ease, and despite some bumpy terrain, learns to love and appreciate Donna. Some of the revelations of Donna’s early years are heartbreaking, but Donna shows maturity and resilience and the story ends happily.
September 10, 2025
Like so many of her other books, the story of Donna is a heart wrenching one, but also one that ends with so much hope. Being removed from a horrible home situation, Donna came into care so withdrawn and sad. It took awhile for her whole story to be revealed, but as Donna got more comfortable in the home of her carer, the author, her history was revealed and she started to grow more comfortable. She still faced quite a few big hurdles, but with growing confidence and more security in the world. In this story, we get more of the longer story of her life even after she left her foster carer and it was encouraging and heartwarming to hear.
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