Just Another Raggedy Doll: A Foster Care Story Based on True Events

by Sharon Zaffarese-Dippold

It took less than four hours for Sarah Bailey and her younger brother Curtis to lose everything they knew. She lost her school, her mudpie stations, her church, her father, and her name. Everything they own is packed in garbage bags as they are moved to a new foster home. It’s supposed to be a safe haven for them, but as Sarah—now called Anna—learns, their so-called safety comes at a horrific price, as she is groomed and abused by her new foster mother.

But Sarah/Anna is resilient. She adapts to wearing dresses after only dressing as a boy. She befriends a wild and dangerous horse. And for her first Christmas ever, she receives a rag doll, one she carries with her still today. For a child with so little, the rag doll comes to mean so much.

Based on a true story, author of Just Another Slice, Dr. Zaffarese-Dippold continues to share her foster care story in the series “Garbage Bag Life.” This book in the series sheds light on the grooming behavior of some sexual abusers, and the risk to children in the foster care system.

232 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 18, 2023

Reviews

[LisaMarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

2nd book in the series. Again trigger warning. Twists and turns and shows again how foster parents can be and how one little girl is fighting for not just herself but her brother. Again laughed and cried but was appalled and mad. Another must read.

[Barbara Beauparlant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredible book

Got the first book free and had to buy the series. I finished book 2 and can't wait to read 3. Sharon is an amazing excellent writer and I will be following her for future books

[Francine · Rating 5 out of 5]

just another raggedy doll

Great book it is so sad to know that this goes on in the Foster Care system and it continues

[Kimberly Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartbreaking

This book moved along faster than the first. I really enjoyed the characters and actually felt all the feels in this book. The fact that it is based on true events makes the it especially heartbreaking that again, these poor kids are twisted, confused and Sarah/Anna abused, again. Off to Book 3 hoping these kids catch a break.

[Marisa Salas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put it down

I was unsure what to think about the 1st book but I love a good series and I'm glade I did because I could not put this 1 down! While the 1st book is a slow start the 2nd 1 builds up and i hope the 3rd 1 is just as good!

[Traceylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why

Sad but a good story about two foster children taken in after mom abused them. Then the complications of them in foster home.