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3rd out of 137 books
—
62 voters
Another Place at the Table
The startling and ultimately uplifting narrative of one woman's thirteen-year experience as a foster parent.
For more than a decade, Kathy Harrison has sheltered a shifting cast of troubled youngsters-the offspring of prostitutes and addicts; the sons and daughters of abusers; and teenage parents who aren't equipped for parenthood. All this, in addition to raising her thr...more
For more than a decade, Kathy Harrison has sheltered a shifting cast of troubled youngsters-the offspring of prostitutes and addicts; the sons and daughters of abusers; and teenage parents who aren't equipped for parenthood. All this, in addition to raising her thr...more
Paperback, 256 pages
Published
May 24th 2004
by Tarcher
(first published 2003)
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This book was, for me, something that needed to be read a long time ago...and yet this was the perfect time for me to read it! Written by a foster mom who has cared for more than 100 children - she has found humor, love and bravery in doing the most mundane and humane job. I found the book enlightening about the foster care system and as someone currently in the system, I found validation. I laughed some, cried some and found myself getting angry a lot as she shares her experiences with a system...more
Short and quick read about a foster mother who works on the front lines of the foster care system with the emergency kids: the ones who have been removed from a parent's care and are, at the moment Kathy gets the call, sitting on a plastic chair in someone's office in the middle of their own personal nightmare. Kathy and her family (who have adopted three of the children they fostered) sometimes have kids just overnight but sometimes have them for years.
Kathy's purpose in writing seems to be to...more
Kathy's purpose in writing seems to be to...more
Im so glad i read this book. Kathy, the foster mom, was so honest about everything, whether it be her true feelings about a child she had taken in or the way the system is run. She and her husband had been foster paretns for 13 years and had taken in almost 100 children; children neglected, abused, some mentally ill, and others whose parents simply couldnt take care of them. Some have voiced a problem with her complaining about the lack of money paid for the children in her care; I see no proble...more
As a therapeutic foster mother myself, I found some of her honesty refreshing about some of the mistakes she had made (most notably the princess crown). And some of her feelings were good for me to hear (that she shouldn't adopt a child that doesn't feel like "her" child after many years in the home).
However, much of this book was alarming to me. How the state of Massachusetts can allow such high numbers of children in one house is unbelievable to me. At times, although the writing was confusing...more
However, much of this book was alarming to me. How the state of Massachusetts can allow such high numbers of children in one house is unbelievable to me. At times, although the writing was confusing...more
Another Place at the Table is about a woman who runs a foster home for kids who have gone through tough times, whether its abuse, children who have been neglected, and many other cases. She shares the stories and her experiences she went through with each specific child and how it affected them, and changed their lives. This book related to the society in many ways. It made me realize that so many children out there need homes, its not just a one time deal. I related it to my life because I real...more
Just wrapped up reading the gem,"Another Place at the Table." by Kathy Harrison. The writer dictates the rewarding, unfair and the unbearable facts learned from fostering almost one hundred children. Upfront and tastefully done, this book captures the selfless lifestyle of a Massachusetts couple. They were named Massachusetts, Foster parents of the Year and in 2002, they received the Goldie Foster Award. In a society that rarely credits, let alone acknowledges the positive impact of foster paren...more
This was a quick read and one I couldn't put down. It is about a mother of 3 boys who decides to start taking in foster children, as well. It details the lives of a few children she and her husband brought into their family for a short time and those they eventually adopted. It is a very real look into the problems some children have to deal with and how desperately they need help. It also shows how hard it is to be a foster family and the sacrifices and blessings they've received for doing it....more
Kathy Harrison peels back the curtain to reveal the heart-wrenching world life as a foster parent. She shares the stories of a few of the 100 kids she has sheltered. Her narrative is not prurient or pollyana.
She describes the difficult work of assisting kids who've been abused or neglecte--dealing with crushed spirits, extremely challenging behavior, developmental delays and other fallout from the various traumas these kids face. She walks the tightrope of hating the horrid circumstances that...more
She describes the difficult work of assisting kids who've been abused or neglecte--dealing with crushed spirits, extremely challenging behavior, developmental delays and other fallout from the various traumas these kids face. She walks the tightrope of hating the horrid circumstances that...more
THEN, you read a book like this and you're like "HO SHIT, IF I GET A FOSTER KID THEY WILL MAKE ANOTHER KID STICK TOYS UP THEIR VAGINAS"
This book made me think that Rebecca (of fosterhood) had it right when she decided to only take in three kids, one at a time, and provide for their support. Although I admire people who feel the calling to take in children without homes, Kathy's experiences didn't make me admire her or her family. It simply made me wish that she had "stopped at six" and spared s...more
This book made me think that Rebecca (of fosterhood) had it right when she decided to only take in three kids, one at a time, and provide for their support. Although I admire people who feel the calling to take in children without homes, Kathy's experiences didn't make me admire her or her family. It simply made me wish that she had "stopped at six" and spared s...more
While I enjoyed the stories told by the author, my rating is because I think the quality of the book hindered the messages she was trying to relay.
There were several areas where the editing was incredibly lacking. One notable place is a point where she is in the hospital visiting one of the kids and a employee tells her she needs to talk before she leaves. Then there is zero mention of what was so important.
It may seem like I am being picky, but I really think that if there was more care taken w...more
There were several areas where the editing was incredibly lacking. One notable place is a point where she is in the hospital visiting one of the kids and a employee tells her she needs to talk before she leaves. Then there is zero mention of what was so important.
It may seem like I am being picky, but I really think that if there was more care taken w...more
I first read this book several years ago, but the stories in it have stayed with me. I recently decided to reread the book (something I rarely do) and even the second time I finished the book, I felt like I had been changed because of it. It's a quick read and the author tends to ramble a bit at times, but I like the easy conversational writing style. I feel like the author is just telling me her stories over lunch. If you don't like "real" stories that are ugly and disturbing at times, then avo...more
A very touching memoir, written beautifully and from the heart, without sugarcoating the challenges that come from supporting children within the social services system. Kathy manages to be completely real about the stories of her children, while still respecting each and every one of them. Never once does this memoir come across as exploitative, but instead touches on the heartfelt challenges of being a parent and foster parent. I highly recommend to anyone considering being a foster parent, bu...more
As someone who is interested in being a foster patent and/or adopting, this book went on my to-read list because I figured it would paint a better picture o what it takes to be a foster family. That it did! After finishing the book, my desire to serve vulnerable children only increased and has also become more realistic. The author is super honest about what she and her family has experienced, describing their failures and successes. She talks about the children she has fostered and adopted, des...more
if you have ever contemplated foster parenting this is a must read. Although i never thought of myself as taking in sexually abused children or medically needy children this book makes me think it's both crazy and ultimately my responsibility. Who else is going to? Just the author?
In my search to find information on the foster care system, the children entering, how the government runs it (or doesn't run it) this book was recommended several times. One reason is because there simply isn't all t...more
In my search to find information on the foster care system, the children entering, how the government runs it (or doesn't run it) this book was recommended several times. One reason is because there simply isn't all t...more
I found this book very easy to read and hard to put down...the stories were compelling and I wanted to know what would happen next. However, I felt the narrative jumped around all over the place, and might have worked better if each child's story was told in a more linear way, though of course some of them did intertwine. The stories were quite unsettling at times, particularly the account of sexual abuse happening within the house...but kudos to the author for the honesty it took to write about...more
I'm giving this three stars but for writing it would be two stars. I also think it was hard to connect with because the author spent such little time on so many subjects. So it was hard to actually connect with the children listed. And I wanted to know more about their back stories and more about their lives after. I realize though that some of this was most likely due to privacy and the fact that the author doesn't know what happened to them. still you have to admire this lady and her husband f...more
This was an absolute passion read for me. At first, I didn't know if I could even handle hearing about the neglect and abuse that so many children endure and how it affects the rest of their lives. Also, the author talks about many of the socioeconomic factors that play into why these children are neglect and abused and how broken the system of foster care/adoption is. I was compelled to read on even though the subject of child abuse is not spoke of because it is too hard to hear about. This boo...more
I thought this book could have used some better editing. Maybe she was too busy with the kids to get an editor. I had some issues with her taking in so many kids. I know she means well and it would be great if there were more people like her in the world, but it seemed kind of like when people hoard animals and they just can't take care of them all no matter if they want to or not. We recognize as a society that it is wrong to hoard too many animals and it is wrong to hoard children. I think it...more
What an amazing woman. I really enjoyed learning to better understand the life of a foster parent. I can't help but think this woman is an angel.
Reader BEWARE though, if you aren't accustomed to or aren't comfortable reading about abuse this may not be a good read for you. This book paints an accurate picture of the trauma abused children live with everyday. (The author does not go into great detail on the abuse her children told her about, but their are some sexual and physical abuse situation...more
Reader BEWARE though, if you aren't accustomed to or aren't comfortable reading about abuse this may not be a good read for you. This book paints an accurate picture of the trauma abused children live with everyday. (The author does not go into great detail on the abuse her children told her about, but their are some sexual and physical abuse situation...more
One womans experience with foster care....oh that all foster children could have foster parents like the Harrison's!
Kathy Harrison has been a foster mother for over a hundred children, "refuge[e]s from a war they can't begin to comprehend." She says of what she does: "My job is to paste them together until they can start to make some sense of it all. I offer a small island of safety in an unsafe and terrifying world."
Such an eye opening book, to a side of life, that you know exists, but is pai...more
Kathy Harrison has been a foster mother for over a hundred children, "refuge[e]s from a war they can't begin to comprehend." She says of what she does: "My job is to paste them together until they can start to make some sense of it all. I offer a small island of safety in an unsafe and terrifying world."
Such an eye opening book, to a side of life, that you know exists, but is pai...more
It can be hard to describe to prospective adoptive parents what it is like, really, to be a former foster child or what it is like to parent one. The intricacies of the foster care system can be very difficult to describe, and each child comes with his or her own unique story and set of challenges. It doesn't help that there are so many erroneous portrayals out there in the media, with the pendulum swinging wildly from portrayals of Pollyana-esque children grateful to be adopted to budding socio...more
A window into a world many of us would prefer to pretend doesn't really exist, Another Place at the Table tells about one family's experiences taking in foster children.
Kathy Harrison has been a foster mother for over a hundred children, "refuge[e]s from a war they can't begin to comprehend." She says of what she does: "My job is to paste them together until they can start to make some sense of it all. I offer a small island of safety in an unsafe and terrifying world." I'm so grateful that ther...more
Kathy Harrison has been a foster mother for over a hundred children, "refuge[e]s from a war they can't begin to comprehend." She says of what she does: "My job is to paste them together until they can start to make some sense of it all. I offer a small island of safety in an unsafe and terrifying world." I'm so grateful that ther...more
Wendy gave me this book and it was fantastic. At first I thought it would be too heart breaking to hear stories about foster children. But the author does a good job of relaying her experiences, the trials of the children, and helping the reader understand that not every family can do for these kids what others can. We're not all cut out for foster care and it's okay. I ended the book thinking she would be an amazing person to talk to and her own kids must have led the most interesting lives.
In this well-written book, Harrison provides what seems like an honest description of her time spent caring for foster children. I don’t think she is just pretending to be humble by refuting claims that she is a saint or a hero. She describes losing her temper, for example, and trying to sabotage (albeit once, and in a fairly minor and passive aggressive way) the reunification of a girl she ultimately adopts with the girl’s birth mother.
Harrison seems to be insightful about children. For example...more
Harrison seems to be insightful about children. For example...more
This book was recommended in foster parent pre-service classes, as it was very true to life. The author is a foster mom who has parented over 100 children in 10 years in Massachusetts.
The imagery is fantastic in several spots I felt myself nodding or tearing up. In reading you can really feel Kathy's frustration, heart, and strength of character. I'm definitely glad I read this book, as it has just reconfirmed my desire to foster parent. I may even buy a copy to read over and over.
The imagery is fantastic in several spots I felt myself nodding or tearing up. In reading you can really feel Kathy's frustration, heart, and strength of character. I'm definitely glad I read this book, as it has just reconfirmed my desire to foster parent. I may even buy a copy to read over and over.
I love the honesty of Kathy Harrison. She is the first to admit she is not a saint, and is humble enough to share her mistakes with us. Because of this, I found her easy to relate to. Not everyone is able to be a foster carer, but Kathy helps us realise that you don't need to be special to change children's lives, just committed to loving those children and wanting the best for them (as well as putting in a lot of hard work, and being prepared to live for others more than ourselves).
This was an interesting book. Not one that I'd normally read but I ended up liking it. It makes you stop and think about how poorly the "system" takes care of children that are taken away from their families due to poverty, mental illness or drug use. These poor kids end up being bounced from home to home, from facility to facility and never get a true sense of security. It was an eye opener. I almost feel like becomming a foster parent after reading this :)
An amazing book!! Kathy Harrison has such incredible stories to tell. This should be a must read for every social worker, for every school teacher, for every counselor, etc. She has an amazing ability to teach people how to love even the hardest to love kids and how not to hate the parents who are responsible for having their children go into the foster care system. I was the most amazed by all of the gut wrenching decisions she made that were in the best interest of the kids she provided care f...more
An AMAZING true story about a foster family and all that goes on in their world. This isn't just another "poor mistreated kids" book, this book gives some real insight on the social services system and all that goes into fostering, adopting, visitation, etc... The book is sad, happy, hopeful, and scary all at once.... scary to realize that children actually go through these horrors, unbelievably sad when more bad things/decisions happen to the child, and yet filled with hope and happiness for th...more
Feb 01, 2008
Elizabeth Michael
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone
Shelves:
best-loved-contemporay-reads
Like Hayden's book, this book had an impact on the way I want to live my life and what I hope to do with it. While I often think that I'll be darned lucky to manage not to screw up any children I might actually produce myself, I think I may never stop hoping to adapt into the kind of person that can in some way help shelter, nurture, and possibly raise some of the incredibly damaged children among us. Harrison is wonderful to read because she makes it clear that she is not a saint, that she has...more
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