What do you think?
Rate this book
Hidden
From the author of Number One bestseller ‘Damaged’ comes the poignant and shocking memoir of Cathy’s recent relationship with Tayo, a young boy she fosters whose good behaviour and polite manners hide a terrible past.
Tayo arrives at Cathy’s with only the clothes he stands up in. He has been brought to her by the police, but he is calm, polite, and very well spoken, and not at all like the children she normally fosters. The social worker gives Cathy the forms which should contain Tayo’s history, but apart from his name and age, it is blank. Tayo has no past.
Tayo is an 'invisible' child, kidnapped from his loving father in Nigeria and brought illegally to the UK by his drink and drugs dependent prostitute mother, where he is put to work in a sweat shop in Central London. When he sustains an injury and is no longer earning, he is cast out.
When Cathy takes Tayo to school he points out a dozen different addresses where he has stayed in the last six months, often being left alone. Tayo lies, and manipulates situations to his own advantage and Cathy has to be continually on guard. Tayo’s social worker searches all computer databases but there is no record of Tayo – he has only attended school for 3 terms and has never seen a doctor. He and his mother have been evading the authorities by living ‘underground’.
With his mother recently released from prison, Tayo is desperate to live with his father in Nigeria, but no one can track him down or even prove that he exists.
Tayo arrives at Cathy’s with only the clothes he stands up in. He has been brought to her by the police, but he is calm, polite, and very well spoken, and not at all like the children she normally fosters. The social worker gives Cathy the forms which should contain Tayo’s history, but apart from his name and age, it is blank. Tayo has no past.
Tayo is an 'invisible' child, kidnapped from his loving father in Nigeria and brought illegally to the UK by his drink and drugs dependent prostitute mother, where he is put to work in a sweat shop in Central London. When he sustains an injury and is no longer earning, he is cast out.
When Cathy takes Tayo to school he points out a dozen different addresses where he has stayed in the last six months, often being left alone. Tayo lies, and manipulates situations to his own advantage and Cathy has to be continually on guard. Tayo’s social worker searches all computer databases but there is no record of Tayo – he has only attended school for 3 terms and has never seen a doctor. He and his mother have been evading the authorities by living ‘underground’.
With his mother recently released from prison, Tayo is desperate to live with his father in Nigeria, but no one can track him down or even prove that he exists.
371 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2007
267 people are currently reading
5010 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 222 reviews
February 24, 2018
Wow. What a roller coaster of emotions. I cried, I laughed, I flipped pages in anticipation that this little boy would find his happy ending. I have only read one book from Cathy Glass before this book but I am very fond of her writing style. She has a way of making you feel like you're right there with her. I admire the way she describes such things in amazing detail without it also being too much. Little Tayo teared at my heart strings and I felt for him. His past has been nothing but awful for anyone to experience let alone a 10 year old boy.
Hidden is eye opening, emotional and extraordinary. I can't wait to pick up another one of Cathy Glass' books.
I hope Tayo is out there right now happy and healthy.
Hidden is eye opening, emotional and extraordinary. I can't wait to pick up another one of Cathy Glass' books.
I hope Tayo is out there right now happy and healthy.
October 31, 2015
What I love most about returning to one of Cathy Glass’s books about her experiences as a foster parent, is the familiar setting (her home) and the close comfort of her family. I know this might sound strange, but Cathy has a magnificent way of letting the reader into her home and the lives of her family and the foster child whose story she’s sharing.
Having only read two of her books before, I couldn’t wait to start with Hidden. I knew beforehand that I had to steel myself for what I was going to read and the many emotions I’d be feeling. Needless to say, the last few chapters of Tayo’s story had me crying buckets of tears. Cathy, and every person involved in helping Tayo and countless other lost/abandoned/abused children, are heaven sent.
If you’re a parent, or someone who cares greatly for the well-being of others – and if you haven’t read any of Cathy’s books yet – please do so. It’s shocking to see what some parents would do to their own flesh and blood. It’s also wonderful to discover these angels in the foster care system – such as Cathy, and many others – who open their homes and their hearts to these little, defenseless people. It makes me appreciate my children and my parents a million times over.
Having only read two of her books before, I couldn’t wait to start with Hidden. I knew beforehand that I had to steel myself for what I was going to read and the many emotions I’d be feeling. Needless to say, the last few chapters of Tayo’s story had me crying buckets of tears. Cathy, and every person involved in helping Tayo and countless other lost/abandoned/abused children, are heaven sent.
If you’re a parent, or someone who cares greatly for the well-being of others – and if you haven’t read any of Cathy’s books yet – please do so. It’s shocking to see what some parents would do to their own flesh and blood. It’s also wonderful to discover these angels in the foster care system – such as Cathy, and many others – who open their homes and their hearts to these little, defenseless people. It makes me appreciate my children and my parents a million times over.
November 29, 2011
I'm reviewing this late. I try to review the books I read within a day or two of finishing and I finished this on the 17th of this month. It's now the 29th. The reason I bring this up is because while this was my first book by Glass, I've since read two others, Damaged and Cut and will be starting another one, Mummy Told Me Not to Tell shortly.
I'm fairly well read in the mis-lit genre and there have been books that are very well written that, even with the horrendous subject and details, I've sailed through. Very few have come close to matching the writing that comes from Cathy Glass.
I read my non-fiction as truth unless there is a reason to do otherwise. For me there's no other way - or reason - to read non-fiction. And from the books I've read about this woman I think she's borderline ready for sainthood. I love children more than life. My one dream in life was to become a mother to a little girl. *Mission accomplished. :)
But there is no way I could deal with what this woman has dealt with. I'm just not built for it. So I'm all the more happy that there are women like Glass who are built for it and who do step up to the plate.
My one and only complaint - and it's sort of a small one yet true with all three books I've read so far - is the cover portrayal. Why are the kids so young on all three covers when they're far older in the story? I started wondering if it was to get the reader thinking about the children previous time spent in abuse but I don't believe it's that. I think it's a marketing ploy. Obviously it's upsetting to learn of anyone cutting themselves but it's far more upsetting to hear of a child doing it. And it's far, far, far more upsetting to think of a young child cutting themselves. (This is just an example.) That doesn't sit well with me. In this book the boy is 10 years old and the boy on the cover is clearly nowhere near ten, even if he was tiny for his age. I'm picky about my covers so this bothered me.
But the writing is well done and I've seen a few reviews here and there mentioning typos so I want to say that I haven't caught many at all. Editing mistakes usually jump right out at me and I don't remember any from this or Damaged. That means there either are none or very few. I did notice a few in Cut but no more than five, tops. Definitely not the worst out there as any avid reader can attest.
I think her books flow so nicely, even with the brutality of the subjects, because she seems like she's 100% honest. She gives the good with the bad and doesn't go through any false motions. She doesn't hesitate to condemn Social Services when she feels the need and she also doesn't hesitate to praise them when praise is due. It's not the authors fault the latter happens less.
I'd recommend any of these books for anyone who reads the genre and if anyone is looking to find a good one I'd choose one by Glass. (To be more specific I felt Hidden and Damaged were better than Cut but that's just me.)
I have no doubt that I'll get the rest of the books she's written - with the exception of the self-help book - and I have no doubt that the writing will be up to par.
I'm fairly well read in the mis-lit genre and there have been books that are very well written that, even with the horrendous subject and details, I've sailed through. Very few have come close to matching the writing that comes from Cathy Glass.
I read my non-fiction as truth unless there is a reason to do otherwise. For me there's no other way - or reason - to read non-fiction. And from the books I've read about this woman I think she's borderline ready for sainthood. I love children more than life. My one dream in life was to become a mother to a little girl. *Mission accomplished. :)
But there is no way I could deal with what this woman has dealt with. I'm just not built for it. So I'm all the more happy that there are women like Glass who are built for it and who do step up to the plate.
My one and only complaint - and it's sort of a small one yet true with all three books I've read so far - is the cover portrayal. Why are the kids so young on all three covers when they're far older in the story? I started wondering if it was to get the reader thinking about the children previous time spent in abuse but I don't believe it's that. I think it's a marketing ploy. Obviously it's upsetting to learn of anyone cutting themselves but it's far more upsetting to hear of a child doing it. And it's far, far, far more upsetting to think of a young child cutting themselves. (This is just an example.) That doesn't sit well with me. In this book the boy is 10 years old and the boy on the cover is clearly nowhere near ten, even if he was tiny for his age. I'm picky about my covers so this bothered me.
But the writing is well done and I've seen a few reviews here and there mentioning typos so I want to say that I haven't caught many at all. Editing mistakes usually jump right out at me and I don't remember any from this or Damaged. That means there either are none or very few. I did notice a few in Cut but no more than five, tops. Definitely not the worst out there as any avid reader can attest.
I think her books flow so nicely, even with the brutality of the subjects, because she seems like she's 100% honest. She gives the good with the bad and doesn't go through any false motions. She doesn't hesitate to condemn Social Services when she feels the need and she also doesn't hesitate to praise them when praise is due. It's not the authors fault the latter happens less.
I'd recommend any of these books for anyone who reads the genre and if anyone is looking to find a good one I'd choose one by Glass. (To be more specific I felt Hidden and Damaged were better than Cut but that's just me.)
I have no doubt that I'll get the rest of the books she's written - with the exception of the self-help book - and I have no doubt that the writing will be up to par.
Read
August 30, 2008A very interesting book about a very normal lady who opens here heart and house to desperate children. this story of a young boy who has been through terrible times. How one family love a determination can help a young boy survive.
August 19, 2017
A heart warming story about a lost boy who becomes found and experiences love and healing in a foster family
December 17, 2020
And yet another foster book by my now favorite biography author, Cathy Glass. I won’t talk too much about the story as it would be a monstrous spoiler and I hate those. What I will say is that I am astounded at how well Cathy deals with each case. They’re all so different and you never know which way the poor child will end up. They sometimes fall backwards with their coping mechanisms and sometimes land in their feet running. Tayo was a special case who seemed so much older than his 10 years and it turns out he’d seen a lot in that short period of time. Again - I blubbered like a baby at the end like I always do 😀
July 3, 2021
One of my favourite Cathy Glass novels. Loved the ending for Tayo! :)
May 12, 2021
An excellent read.
April 14, 2011
I wasn't sure whether to read this one or not. I thought it might be too upsetting- and it's been sat on the bookshelf for quite a while. I picked it up last night and have read it in a day. I love her style and it was an insight into the 'fostering' world. The world is a much better place due to people like her- who provide a safe haven for children in need. Tayo was an interesting little character and he'd been through so much in his short life- coming over to Britain with his abusive mother. He wants to go back to live with his father in Nigeria- but without any details they are unable to start tracing him. He goes into care with no history at all. He tells his foster mother that he has lived in several houses on his way to school the next day- and they discover that his mother used to befriend families and abandon him with them for a week or more.
I think I have another book on the shelves and look forward to reading it.
I think I have another book on the shelves and look forward to reading it.
December 22, 2016
Another amazing book by Cathy Glass.
Hidden is about a boy who lived in the same world we live in but in another part we don't know the truth of.
Young Tayo was a multiracial boy who lived in 21st century London, but have never been written as it's citizen.
He somehow was hidden from the public and social services.
A very intriguing read and no doubt a great book for children and adult discussions.
Hidden is about a boy who lived in the same world we live in but in another part we don't know the truth of.
Young Tayo was a multiracial boy who lived in 21st century London, but have never been written as it's citizen.
He somehow was hidden from the public and social services.
A very intriguing read and no doubt a great book for children and adult discussions.
July 8, 2017
The actual story is fantastic and I'm glad it had a good ending. But the way the book is written is to blunt, it feels like the author is going from incident to incident without really creating a story. I understand that this is real life and that the author probably looked back at her log to help remember everything but it could have a bit more of a descriptive nature and it could flow a lot better.
July 3, 2020
Remarkable, true story of a foster mum’s experience caring for a child with a startling past. I sometimes struggled with the writing style: so much detail about minutiae. But I was kept engaged because she presents such a unique lens. I felt privileged to get a glimpse into the thought processes and daily realities of an experienced foster career. I really enjoyed her honesty about the successful and less successful moments, and Tayo’s story had me in tears by the end.
September 3, 2019
One of the best Cathy glass books I’ve read. Such a hard story, but good ending
February 27, 2024
Another emotional but great book.
January 4, 2020
Beautifully written. And the story of Tayo, what he has been through and they way he dealt with it and came out of it amazing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2023
I have read almost all of Cathy's books, and this is the only one where I felt she was too harsh on the child's mother. She was obviously mentally ill in a severe way and did not deserve to be treated the way she was and did not deserve to be spoken about publicly in such a derogatory manner.
October 12, 2017
I've not read much mis-lit.
I found it a bit disturbing, for the following reasons
- the kiss and tell element: taking in kids, getting a worthwhile story every now and then. On the other hand, it is good that these stories are told, so my view on this isn't firm.
- the one dimensional perfect family that Cathy G seems to run. She herself is so perfect and competent that she is hard to relate to. It was remarkable how she detailed the expense of sports kit to the penny.
- it was an interesting story, though some of the drama seemed somewhat manufactured.
I liked the ending, where there really was a father who really did come and find him.
I found it a bit disturbing, for the following reasons
- the kiss and tell element: taking in kids, getting a worthwhile story every now and then. On the other hand, it is good that these stories are told, so my view on this isn't firm.
- the one dimensional perfect family that Cathy G seems to run. She herself is so perfect and competent that she is hard to relate to. It was remarkable how she detailed the expense of sports kit to the penny.
- it was an interesting story, though some of the drama seemed somewhat manufactured.
I liked the ending, where there really was a father who really did come and find him.
May 14, 2019
I do love Cathy Glass books and this is one that brought out many emotions for me. I must say that after reading so many of these books, I am seriously over reading ‘I could have wept’ as it is stated numerous times in every single Cathy Glass book and no longer means anything worthwhile. Every time I read it I roll my eyes and think ‘uh huh, sure you could have’
November 15, 2015
The story is based on a true life incident (in which the names and places have been changed) by a foster carer who was fostering a young boy with an astonishing tragic life.
A light and good read. I'm so happy to have bought this as a second-hand. :)
A light and good read. I'm so happy to have bought this as a second-hand. :)
October 4, 2014
liked the way the writer approached difficult situations in a fostered child but rather too long-winded for my liking with irrelevant detail, though the prose flowed well.
January 15, 2012
.............. and they lived happily ever-after.
February 9, 2022
This story made me cry, especially towards the end and I almost never cry when I am reading! Such a sad and beautiful story that you will definitely want to read again!
November 19, 2019
Cathy accepts a 10 year old foster boy into her home who had eluded the system. There were no doctor or dentist records, no school records, no addresses for him and his mother. Somehow his mother had hidden him from the social services. With so much of his background unexplained, Cathy expected Tayo to have substantial problems, like being severely behind in school since he hadn't been to school. Yet when he arrived on her doorstep, his manners were impeccable and his speech was that of an upper class well educated person. On top of that, he could read, although he was a little behind in schoolwork. Tayo's mother moved from place to place with "friends" and Tayo was often left with people he didn't know and for lengths of time where he wasn't sure she would return. When supervised contact began, his mother would usually show up late, drunk and belligerent, or not at all. Tayo was able to shrug off her behavior and take everything in stride.
This was a more fascinating foster child of Cathy's. How did Tayo and his mother elude authorities for 5 years? Why was there no birth record or any paperwork on him? When Cathy finds out the answer, she is determined to help Tayo find his way back to his former life.
This was a more fascinating foster child of Cathy's. How did Tayo and his mother elude authorities for 5 years? Why was there no birth record or any paperwork on him? When Cathy finds out the answer, she is determined to help Tayo find his way back to his former life.
August 24, 2021
I became very, very invested in this book!
Cathy Glass writes under a pseudo name for protection of herself and the lives she writes about, she is a foster carer, and in this story she is an emergency home for a little boy called Tayo. No-one knows anything about him, or can even tell her an age for the little boy. Tayo sounded like a delightful child, he was well mannered, smart, and very mature for his age, which is very surprising when you hear his story. He has 'worked', shows scars, and shows very little respect for himself, being told all of his life how he should be lighter skinned by his mother not black skinned like his father, his father who again, no-one knows anything about, apart from he is a tall, muscular black man living in Nigeria.
This story was beautifully written and so heartbreaking, to be able to have a job like this Cathy shows immense strength, being able to provide a safe space for these children! I can see why she finds it rewarding, but is something I would never be able to do myself.
I would highly recommend this book if you are into true stories, I literally devoured it over 4 days, which is really good going for a steady to slow reader like me.
Cathy Glass writes under a pseudo name for protection of herself and the lives she writes about, she is a foster carer, and in this story she is an emergency home for a little boy called Tayo. No-one knows anything about him, or can even tell her an age for the little boy. Tayo sounded like a delightful child, he was well mannered, smart, and very mature for his age, which is very surprising when you hear his story. He has 'worked', shows scars, and shows very little respect for himself, being told all of his life how he should be lighter skinned by his mother not black skinned like his father, his father who again, no-one knows anything about, apart from he is a tall, muscular black man living in Nigeria.
This story was beautifully written and so heartbreaking, to be able to have a job like this Cathy shows immense strength, being able to provide a safe space for these children! I can see why she finds it rewarding, but is something I would never be able to do myself.
I would highly recommend this book if you are into true stories, I literally devoured it over 4 days, which is really good going for a steady to slow reader like me.
February 21, 2019
This is the first book I read by Cathy Glass but definitely won't be the last.
This is the story of Tayo, a very intelligent boy, who has been through hell in his short life (in fact I could not believe that in this day and age and in the UK some things are still happening) having an alcoholic and drug addict mother.
He is convinced he grew up with his loving dad and gran, and soon becomes obsessed by meeting is father and going to live with him. Not having a name or an address for his dad it is impossible to find him....
Social services and Cathy are not even sure there was or is a dad...
I was awake until 1am last night because I couldn't put the book down. I needed to know how the book finished hoping that Tayo would get his happy ending.
5 stars out of 5 for Hidden. It was beautifully written and I think Cathy is amazing. She treated Tayo like one of her owns and made him feel the love that his mum never gave him.
This is the story of Tayo, a very intelligent boy, who has been through hell in his short life (in fact I could not believe that in this day and age and in the UK some things are still happening) having an alcoholic and drug addict mother.
He is convinced he grew up with his loving dad and gran, and soon becomes obsessed by meeting is father and going to live with him. Not having a name or an address for his dad it is impossible to find him....
Social services and Cathy are not even sure there was or is a dad...
I was awake until 1am last night because I couldn't put the book down. I needed to know how the book finished hoping that Tayo would get his happy ending.
5 stars out of 5 for Hidden. It was beautifully written and I think Cathy is amazing. She treated Tayo like one of her owns and made him feel the love that his mum never gave him.
March 16, 2018
This book seriously touched my heart!! Tayo has memories of a wonderful life in Africa with his father and grandmother, but he has spent the last 5 years undocumented in England with his mother. His mother has badly neglected him, leaving him alone for days at a time or leaving him with people she barely knows. Tayo is a mystery, as he is well-spoken and intelligent, but there isn’t much record of him having gone to school. He refuses to reveal too much about his past. His mother is a real mess and incredibly angry.
The longer he stays with Cathy, the more maladaptive behavior Tayo exhibits due to his history of needing to manipulate and lie to survive. As a result, this book is full of some great advice from
Cathy for fellow foster parents. Tayo’s story has a very wonderful ending. His story is going to stick with me for a long time.
The longer he stays with Cathy, the more maladaptive behavior Tayo exhibits due to his history of needing to manipulate and lie to survive. As a result, this book is full of some great advice from
Cathy for fellow foster parents. Tayo’s story has a very wonderful ending. His story is going to stick with me for a long time.
November 25, 2020
I’ve always admired what Cathy Does for the children she cares for, but Tayo was such an exceptional case.
All the patience, Love and devotion she’s had for him is truly impressive.
Tayo is a 10-year-old boy with no Identifications, no passport and no legal papers at all. Minty, his mother is a state of he own.
This child has been through a lot throughout his years of living with Minty and it was about time he’s been brought into Child Care.
This book takes us throughout Tayo’s life and all the ups and downs he’s ever seen and The sudden turnout of events.
I got angry, sad, happy and devastated.
I laughed, cried, raged up and felt every emotion written.
And even though it’s not in our hands to choose the ending of the book as it was a nonfiction and based on true events. I had a hopeful ending in mind and I was pleased to close the book knowing what I know 🤍👌🏻
December 15, 2017
Cathy Glass has done it again! She really is an angel, a saviour. In this book, poor little Tayo is a little boy of mixed heritage. However, virtually little is known about his background. Ms. Glass does her utmost best to uncover as much information as possible. She again provides a neglected child with a loving and stable home, which is not something just anyone would or could do. Furthermore, I fully admire her patience and composure when dealing with unstable parents, such as the violent and raging alcoholic Minty, who is poor Tayo's mother. My ghetto side would have lashed out at that wacko! This book also explores the horrors of child exploitation.
January 28, 2021
Uplifting
The boy Cathy fosters has been hidden from society and was a child laborer in a sweatshop, yet felt responsible for his horrendous mother, who had kidnapped him and trafficked him herself.
Through a series of amazing encounters and events, and because of the kindness of people like Cathy and her family, this ends up being an uplifting story of how foster care, done right, can change the direction of a hopeless child's life. I fell in love with the little boy and was rooting for him and for Cathy, the author, all the way. I read this book during every waking moment, and it moves at a good pace without ever bogging down.
The boy Cathy fosters has been hidden from society and was a child laborer in a sweatshop, yet felt responsible for his horrendous mother, who had kidnapped him and trafficked him herself.
Through a series of amazing encounters and events, and because of the kindness of people like Cathy and her family, this ends up being an uplifting story of how foster care, done right, can change the direction of a hopeless child's life. I fell in love with the little boy and was rooting for him and for Cathy, the author, all the way. I read this book during every waking moment, and it moves at a good pace without ever bogging down.
June 6, 2020
Just AMAZING!
I used this book to write an assignment for my school about neglect and resilience. And it was a great source for that.
This book as an eyeopener. You really feel bad for all the things Tayo has been going trough and the worst part is that everything is true. This have happened to a young child. I would recommend everyone to read this cathcy book.
I even contacted the without with questions I had for my assignment and she was just the sweetest lady who was happy to help me and wished me the best of luck. All I have is positive words for this book.
I used this book to write an assignment for my school about neglect and resilience. And it was a great source for that.
This book as an eyeopener. You really feel bad for all the things Tayo has been going trough and the worst part is that everything is true. This have happened to a young child. I would recommend everyone to read this cathcy book.
I even contacted the without with questions I had for my assignment and she was just the sweetest lady who was happy to help me and wished me the best of luck. All I have is positive words for this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 222 reviews