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Just Another Raggedy Doll: A Foster Care Story Based on True Events
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.
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.
230 pages, Paperback
Published January 18, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 1, 2023
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.
September 4, 2024
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
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
July 28, 2023
just another raggedy doll
Great book it is so sad to know that this goes on in the Foster Care system and it continues
Great book it is so sad to know that this goes on in the Foster Care system and it continues
May 27, 2026
What a strong and courageous child.
This story is killing me to read because of the rotten people that do this to these children. I'm glad the bubauthor shared this, my thanks for your brave soul. I just get very upset that the evil people get away with not loving kids but hurting them so badly. There's got to be a better way in this world than to blindly trust anyone to foster. Is the world still so barbaric? Her love for animals and others is unable to spread as she grows because of pedophiles that hide behind fostering for gain . It's absolutely heartbreaking in the extremely honest telling of this time in her life.
This story is killing me to read because of the rotten people that do this to these children. I'm glad the bubauthor shared this, my thanks for your brave soul. I just get very upset that the evil people get away with not loving kids but hurting them so badly. There's got to be a better way in this world than to blindly trust anyone to foster. Is the world still so barbaric? Her love for animals and others is unable to spread as she grows because of pedophiles that hide behind fostering for gain . It's absolutely heartbreaking in the extremely honest telling of this time in her life.
December 31, 2025
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.
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.
April 25, 2026
Heartbreaking
Omgosh, this story gripped me and pulled me in, i wanted so much to grab and protect Sarah/Anna and Curtis. It hurt my heart so much, the mother in me wanted to hurt everyone that abused these 2 lovely souls and never showed them what love is. The stories are so gripping
Omgosh, this story gripped me and pulled me in, i wanted so much to grab and protect Sarah/Anna and Curtis. It hurt my heart so much, the mother in me wanted to hurt everyone that abused these 2 lovely souls and never showed them what love is. The stories are so gripping
June 15, 2026
Heartbreaking story
It’s just horrible what children go through at the hands of ones that say they will protect and love them. Just hurts my heart deep to know there is SO much of this that goes on and children are afraid to speak up. I’m about to start the 3rd book in your series.
It’s just horrible what children go through at the hands of ones that say they will protect and love them. Just hurts my heart deep to know there is SO much of this that goes on and children are afraid to speak up. I’m about to start the 3rd book in your series.
June 17, 2025
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!
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!
April 21, 2026
Another success
I loved the first two books about Sara/ Anna. Just when Anna thinks she has the perfect Mom Sue expects her Anna to behave inappropriately. I loved how Anna just says no. The horse Thunder/Starlight added suspense. I’ll continue reading.
I loved the first two books about Sara/ Anna. Just when Anna thinks she has the perfect Mom Sue expects her Anna to behave inappropriately. I loved how Anna just says no. The horse Thunder/Starlight added suspense. I’ll continue reading.
October 3, 2024
Why
Sad but a good story about two foster children taken in after mom abused them. Then the complications of them in foster home.
Sad but a good story about two foster children taken in after mom abused them. Then the complications of them in foster home.
June 28, 2026
Absolutely heartbreaking but incredible book! Kleenex issue alert. What I’d like to do to these adults is unprintable! Definitely not for everyone. A story you will never forget
March 28, 2026
Such a tragic series. So sad to read. If you can get through the first story , you can get through the second one easier. These foster home parents need to be in jail. No foster child should ever go through this kind of thing. This lady didn't know right from wrong and she had to endure so many wrong things in her life. Its so sad.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews