Not To Blame: Rejected by everyone, can loving foster carer Maggie reach a troubled girl?

by Maggie Hartley

A new short story from the nation's favourite foster carer.

Sixteen-year-old Rebecca has been in care all her life, bouncing from foster carers and children's homes without ever having a permanent home to call her own.

Social Services are at a loss as to what to do with the troubled teenager. Prone to violent outbursts and sudden, uncontrollable tantrums, Rebecca has never spent more than a few months in any one placement. When she comes to live with foster carer Maggie Hartley, it seems like there is little hope of Rebecca ever finding a long-term home. Her strange behaviour and sudden flashes of anger present challenges unlike any Maggie has ever seen before.

But when a secret from Rebecca's past finally comes to light, it seems that Maggie has finally found the root of this vulnerable girl's out-of-control behaviour.

Can Maggie help Rebecca come to terms with her past and realise she's not to blame?

Genres: Nonfiction, Fostering, Memoir

68 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 5, 2020

Reviews

[Nicky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this rather a cop out on a story line & doubt very much this placement went that smoothly & she was placed into supported living accommodation that quick, so it would ideally have been nice to read more of each person's feelings & such like.. I feel I pre-ordered this book expecting it to be as long & descriptive as Maggie Hartly' other books but there was no note of how many pages this was so now I've finished it within probably 40min I feel cheated out of the book price when I usually order & pay for books that are around 300+ pages.. I'm disappointed it wasn't a full story but all the best to Rebecca in her own place.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good book from Maggie Hartley. Really interesting one on a child with FAS. I like how in this one all of the behaviours started to make sense once they understood the diagnoses, and it was lovely the impact this had for the young person and the way that they viewed themselves.

[Monica Willyard Moen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a lot from this story.

[Abigail Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was expecting it to be longer

I enjoyed reading about Rebecca my mum had a girl living with her in supported lodgings who had a sister with the same condition. We suspected she had it as well but was in denial. She found out a few years ago she does have it and sadly wasn't capable of caring for her baby girl.

[Tria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Barely a novella, but with multiple mistakes.

Why is it so hard to proof-read and spellcheck a work that's less than 50 pages in length? I reported at least four errors in language, punctuation or repeated/missing text. In a story this short, that's not really acceptable. The story itself was barely more than basic, and rushed very quickly through what little there was to tell.

[Desi Kleinczmit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, though a short story, brought to light an issue that is often judged and/or not seen as "real". I don't want to put spoilers so I won't say specifically what it is, that I will leave for other readers to discover. I appreciate that although Maggie did not know a lot about what she was dealing with she was so willing, not just willing but eager to learn to help this child. The issues this poor child experiences are sadly more and more common but there are supports out there. The saying "don't judge a book by its cover" come to mind with this because it is so easy to overlook things and just label someone as "difficult". Take time to understand what happened and how to help...instead of judging.

[C Willhelmsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fetal alcohol syndrome in Teens

While reading the book I noticed the symptoms straightaway. I didn’t realise when I bought it that is what they were talking about in conjunction with the book. Brain was that tired when I purchased it for my e-reader. Maggie is definitely a good writer and I wonder what else she has written about. I would love to know what time period this was done also. Just to compare to what we know over here in America that the UK hadn’t realized at the time. Looking forward to another story of hers.

[Abbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was something about this boy that just didn't resonate with me and considering I can understand Maggie a lot due to personal experiences this book just didn't draw me in.

I don't know if the issue being is that I have read it eight years after it was released so what she is calling unusual is now one of the most seen things within the care system.

Overall the book was ... well fine for how many pages it is if you are interested in a snapshot about the life of a foster carer then its worth reading.

[Stella Andes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read for child welfare workers and others.

I was happy to see a book about fetal alcohol syndrome, because it's likely new to some people. Also, it was interesting to read about the child welfare system in the UK. It's a very short book, written with pertinent information. I retired from child welfare social work several years ago.

[jean k gollakner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for someone can start to understand fetal syndrome. Children aren't always at fault,

It's amazing on what you can learning by reading a book that talks of children. It's very detailed in the end , Rebecca is an statist of a mother's not realizing what can happen to an unborn child when the mother is young.

[kim lidgard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short story

This story was so sad ,about half way through I did think she may have been suffering due to her mothers alcohol issue after reading something similar awhile back, I wish her all the best for her future

[Fiona Turnbull · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tip of the iceberg talking about FAS. really interesting cause of learning difficulties and what could have been a case for many children in and out of the care system. Many children missed out on the possibility that it wasn't just naughty behavior.

[Kelly Ferrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not To Blame. Maggie Hartley.
A great short story that will captivate you from the start!
Maggie has her hands full with 17 year old Rebecca ... In time Maggie realise not all is as it seems ...
Is there a reason behind Rebecca’s outbursts ... Maggie is soon to find out the truth.
A great fill-in book if you only have a short time and find it hard to put a book down!

[susan stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

Very good read learned something I didn’t know about f a s very interesting hope Rebecca has a good life now she understands what is wrong with her

[imelda petticrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

My view

I loved the book couldn't put it down hats off to Foster carers they deserve medals. They don't get the recognition they deserve thank you Maggie for another great book.

[Angela Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Maggie Hartley

[Teresa ann cowburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good yeah

Really good book liked it a lot would defiantly recommend for someone who loves this genre of book. 5 star

[Kate Stratton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very quick easy light read.

Good book by Maggie again. I like reading her view of the children and their stories together. Want some more

[Lydia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quick and easy read; sad story about the children in the UK foster system, but does offer a happy ending.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

[Diane Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

This is an interesting book showing how damaging drinking while pregnant can be and a very happy outcome in the end

[Vanessa Helms · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short story

[Sian Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story, although too short!

[Jayne Grady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was ok xx

[Cheryl Lambert]

What an inspiration for foster carer. To have someone who cares enough to help those who are less fortunate is wonderful.

[Freda Eastabrook McNulty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spellbinding.

An excellent read. I highly recommend. Maggie Hartley sees through eyes of pure love for her foster children. Excellent authoress.

[Kerry Lowing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not to blame.

I read alot of fostering books and think foster carers are amazing for the work they do. This book was a really good read.

[Cemart44 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read!

I enjoyed reading this book. Rebecca certainly had a difficult start to her life but Maggie was amazing with the way she helped her.

[Charlotte Connell-Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shorter Story but so pleasant, young girl finds out the real reason for her behaviour - enjoyed

[Elizabeth Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great as always. Just wish it were longer. :)