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Mummy Told Me Not to Tell
When Reece arrives at Cathy's door at 7 years old, he has already passed through the hands of four different carers in four weeks. As the details of his short life emerge, it becomes clear that to help him, Cathy will face her biggest challenge yet. Reece is the last of six siblings to be fostered. Having been in care for four months his aggressive and disruptive behavior has seen him passed from carer to carer. Although only 7, he has been excluded from school, and bites people so often that his mother calls him "Sharky." Cathy wants to find the answers for Reece's distressing behavior, but he has been sworn to secrecy by his mother, and will not tell them anything. As the social worker prepares for the final hearing, he finds five different files on Reece's family, and is incredulous that he had not been removed from them as a baby. When the darkest of family secrets is revealed to Cathy, Reece's behavior suddenly starts to make sense, and together they can begin to rebuild his life.
344 pages, Paperback
First published October 14, 2010
579 people are currently reading
5709 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 293 reviews
January 2, 2012
I had previously read Cut and Damaged by Cathy Glass, and this was by far the best out of all of them. The biggest thing I have to complain about is the covers of the books; they're very deceiving because the children on the covers tend to be many years younger than the children the book is actually about.
December 1, 2011
Story Description:
Seven-year-old Reece was the last of six siblings to be taken into foster care. By the time he arrived at Cathy’s his disruptive behaviour had seen him go through four carers in little over a month. But as an experienced foster carer, with a reputation for handling difficult children, Cathy welcomed Reece into her home despite knowing virtually nothing about his family history.
Little by little Reece began to warm to Cathy and her family, and learned to trust those around him. But his total refusal to discuss anything to do with his home life suggested there was more to his behaviour than social services knew or understood. When Cathy was finally allowed to read his files she discovered the truth was far more shocking then she could ever have imagined…
My Review:
I was totally pulled into the story of seven-year-old Reece right from the beginning and have never felt so deeply sorry for a young child in my life as I did Reece. The abuse he suffered at the hands of his own family is utterly appalling to say the least.
Cathy Glass, with her many years of experience of caring for children such a Reece, was able to provide him with the love, guidance, support, discipline, morals, and values he needed to grow into a healthy productive member of society. Without her advocacy of Reece, who knows what would have happened to this poor child. Thank goodness there are people like Cathy Glass who are willing, out of the goodness of their hearts, to take these children in and give them some semblance of a normal life.
Seven-year-old Reece was the last of six siblings to be taken into foster care. By the time he arrived at Cathy’s his disruptive behaviour had seen him go through four carers in little over a month. But as an experienced foster carer, with a reputation for handling difficult children, Cathy welcomed Reece into her home despite knowing virtually nothing about his family history.
Little by little Reece began to warm to Cathy and her family, and learned to trust those around him. But his total refusal to discuss anything to do with his home life suggested there was more to his behaviour than social services knew or understood. When Cathy was finally allowed to read his files she discovered the truth was far more shocking then she could ever have imagined…
My Review:
I was totally pulled into the story of seven-year-old Reece right from the beginning and have never felt so deeply sorry for a young child in my life as I did Reece. The abuse he suffered at the hands of his own family is utterly appalling to say the least.
Cathy Glass, with her many years of experience of caring for children such a Reece, was able to provide him with the love, guidance, support, discipline, morals, and values he needed to grow into a healthy productive member of society. Without her advocacy of Reece, who knows what would have happened to this poor child. Thank goodness there are people like Cathy Glass who are willing, out of the goodness of their hearts, to take these children in and give them some semblance of a normal life.
August 24, 2014
I struggled to stay interested with this one. I found that the way the book was written, not the story itself, was flat and lacking in emotion.
I also didn't particularly like Reese and I'm not sure why. Usually, no matter if the child is likable or not, I feel a certain sympathy and compassion. But not this time.
Not one of her better books.
July 19, 2019
La terrible verdad es que a veces la sociedad e incluso el sistema hace oídos sordos a lo que se grita en silencio. Hay cadenas que vienen desde un primer eslabón que grita desesperada sin ser escuchada y esto va generando que se siga repitiendo una y otra vez lo aprendido. Mamá no me deja contarlo, a pesar de ser un libro muy crudo es a la vez esperanzador. Me dejó el corazón roto al presentar lo que se vive, pero a la vez me deja claro que si hay gente buena, el mundo, la infancia que está resquebrajada, puede tener algo de esperanza en un futuro luminoso.
Cathi Glass era una pluma desconocida para mi, es especialista en niños de acogida con problemas especiales y ha sacado varios libros en donde cuenta la realidad de un sistema que aún tiene que perfeccionarse, su pluma es ágil y a pesar de que retrata de forma clara las cosas, también deja la esperanza de algo bueno. ¡Feliz lectura!
Cathi Glass era una pluma desconocida para mi, es especialista en niños de acogida con problemas especiales y ha sacado varios libros en donde cuenta la realidad de un sistema que aún tiene que perfeccionarse, su pluma es ágil y a pesar de que retrata de forma clara las cosas, también deja la esperanza de algo bueno. ¡Feliz lectura!
July 1, 2011
This book was AMAZING I just couldnt put it down. I loved that it felt as though you knew Cathy and Reece, it was nice to know that good things came to him at the end. Really sad in parts but thats what drew you in, really felt as though you was part of the story.
August 26, 2020
El libro me ha gustado mucho, y me ha tenido totalmente enganchada. Pensaba que era una novela pero es un hecho real, relatado por una madre de acogida. Parece que ha escrito más libros sobre este tema y diferentes niños que ha acogido.
Totalmente recomendable.
Totalmente recomendable.
May 9, 2011
Heartbreaking and touching, Cathy Glass tells the story of Reece, a troubled 7 year old, broght into her care after going through 4 carers in 6 weeks. The things Reece has been subjected to at home are heartbreaking, and no child should have to deal with the things Reece has had to deal with. With a firm and loving hand, Cathy does her best to get Reece on the right path.
I have to admit, with the discription of Reece at the beginning of the book, I realize that I would in no way ever be able to do what Cathy does. Through the book you start to love Reece with all your heart, going through his journey with him. Cathy writing is beautiful and I will continue to read her books. I highly recommend this book
I have to admit, with the discription of Reece at the beginning of the book, I realize that I would in no way ever be able to do what Cathy does. Through the book you start to love Reece with all your heart, going through his journey with him. Cathy writing is beautiful and I will continue to read her books. I highly recommend this book
January 10, 2012
This book was incredible, even though finding out what the truth behind Reece's story was quite painful. I enjoyed every single word of this book. It gives you more than the story of a battered little boy. It gives you all the details of his stay at Cathy's place, and loads of information for anybody who is interested in being a foster-parent one day.
This book is a must-read for all people interested in foster care and all kids who think they have terrible parents.
One thing I do hope dearly is that Cathy altered names and places and dates so that even if the real Reece read it one day, he wouldn't know that this is his story.
This book is a must-read for all people interested in foster care and all kids who think they have terrible parents.
One thing I do hope dearly is that Cathy altered names and places and dates so that even if the real Reece read it one day, he wouldn't know that this is his story.
June 11, 2013
Existem segredos que nos ultrapassam. Que moem cá dentro, que corrompem o que de mais belo temos, que nos fazem agir erradamente e que nos quebram os ossos, colam os lábios e atam as mãos. Existem segredos capazes de destruir vidas, vidas pequenas e inocentes que deveriam ser por nós preservadas e amadas, cuidadas. Existem segredos que...
... «A mãe não me deixa contar». Este é um romance que nos emociona e toca, que nos permite verter uma lágrima mas também esboçar um sorriso, mas que, acima de tudo, comove pela veracidade que demonstra e pela história sensível, revoltante e absolutamente perturbadora que conta. Não se tratando do primeiro relato do real que leio escrito por esta autora, sabia já, de antemão, mais ou menos o que esperar em termos emocionais, no entanto, o resultado acaba sempre por ser uma novidade, um espanto e uma renovada revolta pelas delicadas e ainda extremamente jovens vidas que por aí crescem no meio do caos.
Cathy Glass é, como muitos de vós sabem, um pseudónimo. Um outro e secreto—mas não como o segredo deste menino—nome utilizado por uma autora cuja necessidade de divulgar um pouco da sua humanidade enterneceu já milhares de leitores por todo o mundo. A sua escrita é incomparavelmente cativante e cheia de uma ternura, de um carinho que não só se encontra expresso ao longo das páginas como também é trespassado para o leitor, e este—eu, por exemplo—continua a muitas vezes não acreditar, a não conseguir verdadeiramente entender como é que vidas como estas, contadas por Glass, tiveram o começo que a sina lhes ofertou.
É-me um pouco difícil—bastante, para ser sincera—escrever sobre este livro, admito, pois trata-se de uma narrativa que me afectou tanto a nível emocional que simplesmente me escapam as palavras certas, se é que tais existem, para descrever o quão especial Reece—e os sete anos que, até ao começo da sua história, viveu—é, na realidade.
O que este esconde muito para lá da espessa e aparentemente impenetrável máscara social que são defensivamente usa é excepcionalmente singular, pois por baixo de todas as vivências erradas, de todos os despojos psicológicos, de todos os maus tratos físicos e verbais está um rapazinho inocente cujo maior desejo é sentir-se em casa, é ser amado. Reece é, à primeira vista e contacto, uma criança extremamente controversa e com uma série de defeitos, mas todos os seus problemas foram adquiridos através do hábito de uma contínua convivência incorrecta a todos os níveis. Custa-me pensar, reflectir e imaginar todos os males que este catraio sofreu ao longo de sete anos, mas, precisamente no outro espectro da equação, está também a salvação que Cathy Glass muitas vezes representa para estes meninos—o conforto e a aceitação que até então lhes era desconhecida.
Opinião completa, aqui:
http://pedacinho-literario.blogspot.p...
... «A mãe não me deixa contar». Este é um romance que nos emociona e toca, que nos permite verter uma lágrima mas também esboçar um sorriso, mas que, acima de tudo, comove pela veracidade que demonstra e pela história sensível, revoltante e absolutamente perturbadora que conta. Não se tratando do primeiro relato do real que leio escrito por esta autora, sabia já, de antemão, mais ou menos o que esperar em termos emocionais, no entanto, o resultado acaba sempre por ser uma novidade, um espanto e uma renovada revolta pelas delicadas e ainda extremamente jovens vidas que por aí crescem no meio do caos.
Cathy Glass é, como muitos de vós sabem, um pseudónimo. Um outro e secreto—mas não como o segredo deste menino—nome utilizado por uma autora cuja necessidade de divulgar um pouco da sua humanidade enterneceu já milhares de leitores por todo o mundo. A sua escrita é incomparavelmente cativante e cheia de uma ternura, de um carinho que não só se encontra expresso ao longo das páginas como também é trespassado para o leitor, e este—eu, por exemplo—continua a muitas vezes não acreditar, a não conseguir verdadeiramente entender como é que vidas como estas, contadas por Glass, tiveram o começo que a sina lhes ofertou.
É-me um pouco difícil—bastante, para ser sincera—escrever sobre este livro, admito, pois trata-se de uma narrativa que me afectou tanto a nível emocional que simplesmente me escapam as palavras certas, se é que tais existem, para descrever o quão especial Reece—e os sete anos que, até ao começo da sua história, viveu—é, na realidade.
O que este esconde muito para lá da espessa e aparentemente impenetrável máscara social que são defensivamente usa é excepcionalmente singular, pois por baixo de todas as vivências erradas, de todos os despojos psicológicos, de todos os maus tratos físicos e verbais está um rapazinho inocente cujo maior desejo é sentir-se em casa, é ser amado. Reece é, à primeira vista e contacto, uma criança extremamente controversa e com uma série de defeitos, mas todos os seus problemas foram adquiridos através do hábito de uma contínua convivência incorrecta a todos os níveis. Custa-me pensar, reflectir e imaginar todos os males que este catraio sofreu ao longo de sete anos, mas, precisamente no outro espectro da equação, está também a salvação que Cathy Glass muitas vezes representa para estes meninos—o conforto e a aceitação que até então lhes era desconhecida.
Opinião completa, aqui:
http://pedacinho-literario.blogspot.p...
August 20, 2011
Can't wait to open the pages of this one tonight. Finished it on two days, absolutely riveting read. Had trouble putting it down. Made me realize that there are some very disturbed people in this world and it is definatley the children who suffer . Can't wait to get my hands on more of her work.
January 29, 2013
I normally really enjoy books by Cathy Glass but this one I couldn't really get into, hence it took me a month to read. There was something that I didn't like about the child that was the main character. Not sure whether it was his behaviour or whether I just didn't like the way Glass portrayed his character. Towards the end you find out very sad news which explains partially why he has such problems and then I felt really bad for him. But the news is also quite disturbing and horrifying so I had my jaw dropped a lot when I was reading what could have contributed to his issues. I also did not like how the social worker, assigned to the case, was so lax about how he dealt with things. Quite often he was under/mis-informed, he rarely met with the children that were under his charge, and he had a not caring attitude towards his job. He was always making excuses for why his actions weren't on time, etc. and the main excuse was that he had just gone through a divorce. Then you find out that he did get an extended leave so he should have been able to collect himself and put his heart and soul into his work upon his return. So yes, I found this book a bit off when compared to the other Cathy Glass books, but they all can't be winners I guess. I will read her books again but I may take a break from them for a while.
February 14, 2023
Lenguaje sencillo, historia perturbadora. No disfruto de este tipo de libros porque es demasiado real, pero está bien contado.
April 20, 2025
This book made me want to cry and then read all Cathy Glass’s other books!
What a woman - I loved reading how she helped Reece change his behaviour and how much she believed in him.
What a woman - I loved reading how she helped Reece change his behaviour and how much she believed in him.
June 13, 2015
The ending of this story left me elated and satisfied, but the journey I had to undergo with Reece, Cathy, her family, and other key role players to get to this wonderful finale was harrowing and painful. I thought I had heard and read enough to understand the extent abusive parents will go to to damage their own flesh and blood, but this book made me realize that I had no clue.
I could almost not fathom a mother such as Tracey and for a while there thought the author was exaggerating about how terrifying and massively disturbed Tracey is, but once all the distressing details came together to form a bigger picture of Reece’s home life before he was removed from his mother, I had to accept that the world is filled with such monsters.
The sadder truth is that there are parents doing even worse things to their children than Tracey has done to Reece and his siblings. All I can say is that I’m grateful for foster parents such as Cathy who take these children into their homes with love, patience, understanding and compassion, and give them a fresh start to a new life. I have a seven-year-old son and it pained me to read this book, knowing I would never in a million years do to my kids what Tracey did to hers.
Thank you, Cathy, for sharing this story with us.
I could almost not fathom a mother such as Tracey and for a while there thought the author was exaggerating about how terrifying and massively disturbed Tracey is, but once all the distressing details came together to form a bigger picture of Reece’s home life before he was removed from his mother, I had to accept that the world is filled with such monsters.
The sadder truth is that there are parents doing even worse things to their children than Tracey has done to Reece and his siblings. All I can say is that I’m grateful for foster parents such as Cathy who take these children into their homes with love, patience, understanding and compassion, and give them a fresh start to a new life. I have a seven-year-old son and it pained me to read this book, knowing I would never in a million years do to my kids what Tracey did to hers.
Thank you, Cathy, for sharing this story with us.
June 11, 2014
This was an amazing story. It showed how consistancy and boundaries help any child no matter how troubled they are. I felt sorry for Reece and had a real hatred towards his mum reading this story. Even when the truth came out I still didnt feel sorry for Tracey as she is an adult and should have known better but yet she continued to let bad things happen and I kept thinking that I would never want to come across her! Also I think if her children are constantly being taken away she should have been forced to be sterilised! Also I felt sorry for reece when he went to school especially how the head handled him to begin with and never showed support, surely cathy could have gone to someone to report that as she is responsible for providing high quality care and the school werent providing that. It was a great read.
May 20, 2014
Heartwarming and sad story about the cycle of abuse within families and what it does to innocent children. Cathy, the foster Mum, has excellent strategies to help these children grow and learn to work through the challenges that they were dealt with. Although the story is disturbing, you gain an understanding of the victims of abuse and how it perpetuates, the challenges with the foster care system and how a carer has to be a strong individual both mentally and physically to care for some of these children. Bless the people like Cathy who devote their time and energy to helping these children!
November 28, 2018
Exploitative trash, the literary equivalent of click-bait. Read in one sitting but felt true disgust at myself for doing so.
January 16, 2022
Very engaging book I loved Reece
April 21, 2023
Fantastic book, very emotional and shocking at times! A very gripping read as are all of Cathy Glass’s books! Fantastic author :)
December 20, 2020
A historia do pequeno Reece de sete anos que, em poucas semanas - e depois de retirado dos pais pela protecção de menores - passa por algumas famílias de acolhimento que o devolvem ao sistema. Quando chega a casa de Cathy (a autora), Reece é uma criança caótica e sem regras, que não fala sobre o seu passado. Acompanhamos o esforço da autora para conseguir contrariar a violência intrínseca de Reece de modo a conseguir que Reece comece a ser uma criança o mais normal possível, pondo de parte todo o seu passado.
Tocam-me especialmente estes livros sobre crianças, principalmente quando mostram uns pais que, em vez de defenderem os seus próprios filhos, são os causadores de toda a maldade que cai sobre as crianças. Escapa-me esta incapacidade de amarem e protegerem os seus filhos, acabando por ser terceiros que o fazem.
Não foi uma leitura fácil mas é, sem duvida, uma leitura que vale a pena.
Tocam-me especialmente estes livros sobre crianças, principalmente quando mostram uns pais que, em vez de defenderem os seus próprios filhos, são os causadores de toda a maldade que cai sobre as crianças. Escapa-me esta incapacidade de amarem e protegerem os seus filhos, acabando por ser terceiros que o fazem.
Não foi uma leitura fácil mas é, sem duvida, uma leitura que vale a pena.
August 30, 2020
Un testimonia esperanzador pero desgarrador a la vez. Basado en niños de acogida que la autora ha tenido en su hogar, esta es la historia de uno de ellos.
Reece es un niño de siete años que en seis semanas ha estado en cuatro hogares de acogida. A Cathy se le cuentan que su comportamiento es algo así como salvaje. Con mucho tiento y con apoyo de sus hijas Reece va adaptándose a su nuevo hogar. Seva desvelando poco a poco la historia del pequeño y de su familia.
https://sonrieangela.blogspot.com/
Reece es un niño de siete años que en seis semanas ha estado en cuatro hogares de acogida. A Cathy se le cuentan que su comportamiento es algo así como salvaje. Con mucho tiento y con apoyo de sus hijas Reece va adaptándose a su nuevo hogar. Seva desvelando poco a poco la historia del pequeño y de su familia.
https://sonrieangela.blogspot.com/
March 26, 2020
Mamá no me deja contarlo es una historia que se quedará para siempre en mi mente y corazón. Un libro que plantea una cruda realidad pero que a su vez está cargada de tintes de esperanza que nos devuelven un poquito la fé en la humanidad. Un libro que nos invita a reflexionar, que te romperá un poquito el corazón pero que logrará reconstruirlo y motivarlo un poquito con su final. ¡Imperdible!
January 12, 2020
Brutal
May 17, 2022
Fantastic. Love Cathy Glass!!
August 4, 2025
First time reading this style of book and I was hooked really enjoyed it, glad the ending was happy though
November 18, 2025
I don't feel comfortable saying how much I enjoyed reading this book due to the topics that were brought up in this book, however Cathy Glass is very talented in her role as a foster carer and writing these types of books. I can't wait to read more of Cathy's books.
February 28, 2025
I liked this book. If you want to read this book be warned it is about abuse. I will be reading more from this author. It was a sad story. No spoilers from me.
December 7, 2025
if i ever need a good cry, i just pick up a Cathy book. That’ll do it 🥲
June 8, 2020
Mamá no me deja contarlo es una historia emotiva, donde se visualiza una problemática mundial: el abuso infantil. El lector tiene desconocimiento del porqué el protagonista, Reece, actúa de la manera en que lo hace. Siendo este el impulso para conocer la experiencia vivida por la autora.
Continúa acá: https://www.instagram.com/p/CBLntInlb...
Continúa acá: https://www.instagram.com/p/CBLntInlb...
May 26, 2018
2.5 i betyg. Intressant, bra och spännande! Men hade kunnat kortas ner betydligt. Orelevanta detaljer och beskrivningar av självklarheter drar ner bokens slutresultat, då man känner sig lite lurad som väntat så pass länge på upplösningen.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 293 reviews