The Looked After Kid

by Paolo Hewitt

Placed in care at a very early age after his mother's breakdown, Paolo Hewitt experienced a traumatic, often abusive relationship with his foster mother. Moved to an orphanage at the age of ten, he vividly documents what life was like for children growing up in care in the 1970s and addresses the emotional struggles, the fear and rejection that so many children without a normal family life experience. Moving and humorous and with a cast of memorable characters, "The Looked After Kid" is a book about love and luck, broken promises and loyalty amongst friends. It is about the strength and compassion in all of us. It is a book written from the heart and is dedicated to all those who "go to sleep at night believing the world to be a dark and terrible place".

Genres: Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

First published May 9, 2002

About the author

Paolo Hewitt was born on July 11, 1958 in Redhill, Surrey, England.

Paolo Hewitt is a former NME journalist and author of over 20 books, including, with Mark Baxter, The Fashion of Football (Mainstream), Oasis... There and Then (1996), Outside Bet (2012) and Casuals: The Story of the Legendary Terrace Fashion (2011)

Reviews

[Claire Fuller]

It doesn't feel fair to rate this book. I picked it up for research for the novel I'm writing now, and it was extremely useful for that. I felt for Hewitt and everything he'd been through, but the book wasn't very well written, and could have done with a much more thorough line edit. Interesting how similar his childhood was to Lemn Sissay's: 10 or so years with a foster family, and then rejected; teenage years in two or more children's homes, stealing and some general bad teenage behaviour.

[Michael Greig · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a fan of Paolo and am also involved in supporting young people in care so was interested to read. I was disappointed to learn as I came to finish the book that some of it was fictionalised but I suppose that this is his prerogative. It was worthwhile reading and considering what life is like through the eyes of a child particularly during the 60s. Hopefully we have learned a bit since then but it will never be easy for a looked after kid

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good insight into the world of children's homes and how vulnerable young people pay the price of adult selfishness, weakness and brokenness.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oddly addictive. Read in a day/night.

[kamile · Rating 5 out of 5]

made me want to adopt a child for me to love and nurture in the future

[Borntolose73 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I re-read this in a day. One of the most moving and inspiring autobiographies that I have ever had the pleasure to read.