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Skylark Child Abuse True Stories #3

Ugly Child: My Own Terrifying True Story of Child Abuse and the Desperate Fight for Survival

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A horrific true story of extreme bullying and the sexual abuse of a disabled child. Life was never easy for little Siobhan. Born with cerebral palsy, she already has extra difficulties to contend with. But her disability isn’t her only problem. For Siobhan, life is a nightmare of constant verbal and physical attacks. The verbal and physical abuse soon turns more serious, even violent. And Siobhan plunges deeper into a relentless hell of daily attacks. As the abuse escalates, Siobhan begins to fear for her life. The urge for survival takes over and Siobhan must take drastic and extreme action to escape the torment. But her safety is short lived and the abuse returns once again to her life. And this time, it is worse than ever. The story builds to a powerful crescendo, and one final, shocking act of sexual violence changes the lives of all concerned for ever. Kate Skylark has previously co-authored two child abuse memoirs. But now, it’s time for Kate to tell her own story. Ugly Child, is the touching and shocking account of the author’s own childhood bullying and sexual abuse hell. Kate Skylark’s real name is Siobhan. This is her horrendous story… The author believes no child should ever have to undergo such torment. So for every book sold, a donation will be made to the NSPCC.

102 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 28, 2015

165 people are currently reading
310 people want to read

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Kate Skylark

7 books36 followers

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5 stars
306 (48%)
4 stars
172 (27%)
3 stars
115 (18%)
2 stars
25 (3%)
1 star
14 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
Profile Image for Kade Gulluscio.
975 reviews63 followers
November 14, 2022
Ugly Child is the author's personal experience with bullying in her childhood. I had high hopes for her book based on her other books / storylines, but I have to admit this particular book fell a little flat for me.

It felt like there was a lot of repeating of the same things / topics over and over. The storyline itself didn't flow as easily as I'd like. With it being such a short read, it was easy enough to get through the book, but It definitely didn't hold my interest as easy as I'd hope.

I'd still read others by the author, since I can say for sure that her other books flowed a lot better than this one.
Profile Image for Georgina Abbotts.
343 reviews2 followers
November 16, 2023
I could relate to siobhans bullying experience I myself was bullied for dislocating at secondary school students would hold there knee and fall to the floor taking the mick out of me.so many children and adults get bullied siobhans experience was a real eye opener more needs to be done about bullying nobody should be bullied and be made to feel worthless and ugly.im glad siobhan was able to share her experience I'm sure this book will help other people reach out about bullying ita lovely that siobhan makes a donation from her book sales to the NSPCC.reading this book broke me I could relate in so many ways.apeakjng out could make the situation so much worse for you so you bottle it up in the hope it might eventually stop the silent tears you shed in your bedroom not wanting to go to school the dread of what the next school day would bring it broke my heart what siobhan faced it also brought up my experience of what I face daily at secondary school all the way through to my last day there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
46 reviews
August 8, 2017
Okay Read!!

This was my first time to read a book by this author and I wasn't that impressed. First let me say that I really did have sympathy for what she went through as a child and I am glad that she overcame the abuse and became a productive member of society and in the end was able to forgive her abuser. I however, found the book to be repetitive and begin to lose interest but, did finish the book. I don't think I would recommend this book or read any other books by her.
Profile Image for Pam.
845 reviews7 followers
October 14, 2017
This is a heart wrenching book, bullying at any level is a terrible crime, and school bullying is at the top of the cruelty list, committed to children by children, and can take years to recover from, I have every admiration for the Author, who turned her life around after such cruel treatment, and my heart goes out to all bullied children, especially to those who are now adults who still suffer from depression and other illnesses brought about by cruel nasty bullies.
67 reviews2 followers
December 24, 2025
I was overwhelmed…

I loved this story. It came from the heart of Siobhan. This is one of the most disturbing bullying I’ve read so far (as a true story). I’m so happy it turned out well for you because I am still having trouble trying to breathe. You are truly an inspiration to the kids that have to face this vicious bullying everyday at school and sometimes in their own neighborhood….
4 reviews
February 25, 2018
Rather flat

I chose to read this book on Amazon's recommendation based on other books I had read. This book did not have a good flow and could have been written with a lot less repeating of the same subject. The author states she used to write essays. This book felt like reading an essay that required a certain number of words. Not an author I'll look to read in the future.
170 reviews2 followers
October 5, 2017
Bullying

This book didn't take me long at all to read. I was really surprised to see who her abuser was. I'm very glad Ms. Skylark came out the other side. There is still much bullying happening today. I hope this book can help someone else.
248 reviews1 follower
December 26, 2017
Very inspirational read

In our country today there is much talk about bullying and the pain it causes. This book deals with that subject and the young lady that somehow had the strength to overcome those problems and find healing. I’m glad she did; so many don’t.
Profile Image for Kelly Ferrett.
292 reviews9 followers
July 3, 2018
Congratulations to Kate Skylark for being able to tell of the horrendous things she went through in her childhood. Children can be bullies and very unkind but for them to not just get away with it but to ramp it up to what it ended up being was disturbing!
28 reviews1 follower
August 31, 2018
Good book .

This book hits close to home for me . I am so happy that Siobhan was able to articulate her experiences of being bullied and how she succeeded in life. I hope her book helps bullied children today. I am sure that it has and will.
166 reviews1 follower
July 12, 2019
Such an emotional yet inspiring book. Bullying has no place in our society. The mental and physical scars it can leave on a person never disappear. Well done to Kate Skylark for achieving what she has despite what she went through.
Profile Image for Emma.
227 reviews8 followers
December 13, 2017
This is not a full length book but more like a novella. Interesting if sad read.
Profile Image for Angel Olney.
32 reviews
January 12, 2018
Good read

This book was a good read. I recommend that kids who are being bullied read this. I wish schools would stock it in their library.
Profile Image for Jen Elwood.
68 reviews1 follower
March 23, 2018
Heartbreaking but a good read

The book is a very detailed bullying story. She tells the tale (true) with such detail there were many points in the book the my heart cried for her.
Profile Image for Hadley.
5 reviews
March 25, 2019
Good read about extreme bullying

Recommend this book. Sad story. Intersection of disability and sexual abuse survivor. Read in one sitting. Hard to put down.
Profile Image for Rita Metsch.
3 reviews1 follower
July 3, 2019
Great Story

Excellent story of how bullying can destroy our childhoods, our teen years. It stays with us. Thank you for sharing your story.
1 review
March 16, 2020
Great book

Such a sad story, gets your heart cant believe people do this. It's a must read read read read go
16 reviews1 follower
September 10, 2020
Love

Thank you for sharing your story. Sharing personal experiences are not easy and I commend you for it. I have learned a lot from all your books I've read.
28 reviews
January 8, 2022
captures how it really feels

As someone who was bullied at school, I could totally relate to this account. Well written and moving. I think all teachers should read this.
Profile Image for Sarah Meadows.
15 reviews
November 17, 2022
I enjoyed this book. However half way it dragged and it not my favourite book of the series however I always learn something from each book and feel sorry for the victims. I'd rate it 4.5
Profile Image for Laura Perry.
18 reviews
February 12, 2016
Read in a day

Another great book I couldn't put down. Although child abuse its different from every other aspect of abuse we read about, even makes you think was the abuser actually abused too?
3 reviews
May 23, 2016
Loved this book


This is a book you cannot stop reading until the end .looking forward to to the next read brilliant read

Profile Image for natasha duke.
13 reviews1 follower
May 27, 2016
Enjoyed

I read this book in one day very good that she managed to move on with her life can't wait to read another book x
Profile Image for Lisa Hubbard.
13 reviews
June 1, 2016
Sad but inspiring

Bullying is such a problem and stories like hers need to be told! It is inspiring that she went through so much and still came out on top!
Profile Image for Gayle.
90 reviews4 followers
March 9, 2016
another fab read. read all in one afternoon & this evening as having some me & book reading time
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews

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