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The Brightness of Stars: Stories of adults who came through the care system
There is little information collected about the experience of those in care at their point of entry to the system, and none collected from the adults who have experienced being in care and then had the opportunity to reflect on what happened and who could perhaps make a contribution to policy making.
Lisa Cherry candidly explores her own experiences and enables others to reflect on theirs in a book which focuses on the adult voices of those who have experienced the care system. Through the personal insights and reflections of those who were once a looked after child, these often unheard stories are brought vividly to life.
These are stories about love and pain; hurt and isolation; the depth of lived experience that makes up a life; the big things and the little things; how we live our lives through our relationships with others; and where we feel we fit in. Through these stories we can provide some thought-provoking information and recommendations for all those who work directly with young people.
Lisa Cherry candidly explores her own experiences and enables others to reflect on theirs in a book which focuses on the adult voices of those who have experienced the care system. Through the personal insights and reflections of those who were once a looked after child, these often unheard stories are brought vividly to life.
These are stories about love and pain; hurt and isolation; the depth of lived experience that makes up a life; the big things and the little things; how we live our lives through our relationships with others; and where we feel we fit in. Through these stories we can provide some thought-provoking information and recommendations for all those who work directly with young people.
196 pages, Paperback
First published March 31, 2013
4 people are currently reading
313 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Cherry
8 books37 followersLisa Cherry is an author and a leading international trainer and consultant, specialising in assisting those in Education, Social Care and Adoption and Fostering to understand trauma, recovery and resilience for vulnerable children, young people and their families. Lisa has nearly 30 years of experience in this field and combines academic knowledge and research with professional skills and personal experience.
Lisa's MA research looked at the impact on education and employment for care experienced adults who experienced school exclusion as children in the 1970's and 1980's. Lisa's DPhil studies at The University of Oxford in the Department of Education, asked the research question "How are care-experienced adults’ identities shaped by narratives of being excluded from school?"
Her area of expertise is a focus on interdisciplinary, cross-sector approaches to improving outcomes for children who depend on relationships outside of the home.
Lisa's MA research looked at the impact on education and employment for care experienced adults who experienced school exclusion as children in the 1970's and 1980's. Lisa's DPhil studies at The University of Oxford in the Department of Education, asked the research question "How are care-experienced adults’ identities shaped by narratives of being excluded from school?"
Her area of expertise is a focus on interdisciplinary, cross-sector approaches to improving outcomes for children who depend on relationships outside of the home.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 19, 2013
This book should be required reading for all who work with, or who intend to work with vulnerable children, in children's homes, in social care or the mental health industry.
In the first part of the book Lisa explores and talks about her own moving and frightening experience of being removed from her mother and put into care. She describes the confusion, the assumptions made by foster carers and the powerlessness of an adolescent in the face of social care (I keep wanting to write, social didn't care, or didn't care well enough).
Lisa talks about what happens when a child in care reaches 16, and is removed from care and how many (she did) become homeless. She reflects on how she found herself in very dark and scary places and believes that the only reason she didn't end up being abuse, or predated upon is that she was a noisy and angry teenager, not ideal for your run of the mill paedophile, pimp, drug pusher.
In Part 2, the book is opened up to other adults who came through the British care system. Some of the reading is painful, and their stories are heartrending, yet we see how, despite what happened to them, they have become whole and successful adults and get a real flavour of their strength and resilience in the face of destructive and abusive obstacles. We read here about a woman who was sexually abused in her "place of safety" by the very person who was meant to be providing care and succor.
This books highlights how ignorant we can be about the needs of others, and how we make decisions for others based on only our own experience with little knowledge that others may have different norms. She and the other participants in this book describe how it feels to arrive at a new foster home where there are implicit rules which are not explained.
There are currently many news-stories of how vulnerable children have been abused, and I hope that we are at the beginning of an era where providers of care start to protect the children they have a duty to, and that Police and Social Worker listen and act upon the stories the children are telling them.
I had hoped to leave a review of this book on Amazon, in fact I wrote 2 reviews, thinking the first had gone wrong somehow. When I questioned Amazon about my reviews they told me they believed I had personal and financial interest in the book. Their massively wrong assumptions have angered me, and I have blogged about it the here:
http://outsideasylummusings.wordpress...
I hope that after the weekend, there might be someone more sensible to deal with my request, as at the moment they appear to be unwilling to investigate their mistaken assumptions.
In the first part of the book Lisa explores and talks about her own moving and frightening experience of being removed from her mother and put into care. She describes the confusion, the assumptions made by foster carers and the powerlessness of an adolescent in the face of social care (I keep wanting to write, social didn't care, or didn't care well enough).
Lisa talks about what happens when a child in care reaches 16, and is removed from care and how many (she did) become homeless. She reflects on how she found herself in very dark and scary places and believes that the only reason she didn't end up being abuse, or predated upon is that she was a noisy and angry teenager, not ideal for your run of the mill paedophile, pimp, drug pusher.
In Part 2, the book is opened up to other adults who came through the British care system. Some of the reading is painful, and their stories are heartrending, yet we see how, despite what happened to them, they have become whole and successful adults and get a real flavour of their strength and resilience in the face of destructive and abusive obstacles. We read here about a woman who was sexually abused in her "place of safety" by the very person who was meant to be providing care and succor.
This books highlights how ignorant we can be about the needs of others, and how we make decisions for others based on only our own experience with little knowledge that others may have different norms. She and the other participants in this book describe how it feels to arrive at a new foster home where there are implicit rules which are not explained.
There are currently many news-stories of how vulnerable children have been abused, and I hope that we are at the beginning of an era where providers of care start to protect the children they have a duty to, and that Police and Social Worker listen and act upon the stories the children are telling them.
I had hoped to leave a review of this book on Amazon, in fact I wrote 2 reviews, thinking the first had gone wrong somehow. When I questioned Amazon about my reviews they told me they believed I had personal and financial interest in the book. Their massively wrong assumptions have angered me, and I have blogged about it the here:
http://outsideasylummusings.wordpress...
I hope that after the weekend, there might be someone more sensible to deal with my request, as at the moment they appear to be unwilling to investigate their mistaken assumptions.
August 12, 2014
***Sponsored review. I received a free ebook copy of this book in return for writing a review.
Through Goodreads I received a request to read & review this book, which of course I gladly accepted.
As I read the Acknowledgements at the beginning of the book, I started to get a sense of how emotional this book was going to be.
The Brightness of Stars is a first hand account of what it is like to have been a child/young person in the British 'Care' system. It is brilliantly written and comes across as both inspiring and thought-provoking.
Together with the author's own story, there are stories from other 'care leavers'. Although their situations and stories differ, there are several reoccurring themes, including abuse & neglect, but most importantly, what I would call, resilience. These individuals have chosen to make the most of their lives and not let their experiences drag them down. They have "managed to create a positive life from a negative environment". This may have taken time, intervention, assistance & love (including self-love), but it shows that the spiral can be broken.
Within the book Lisa states:
"This 'new' climate of knowledge around abuse and vulnerable children means that there is a very real window of opportunity for change."
I completely agree and I hope that the British Government & its agencies realise this before that window closes and we miss the opportunity to make a difference.
In my opinion, this book should be mandatory reading for social workers, education & medical professionals and anyone else who is involved with the British Care system.
Through Goodreads I received a request to read & review this book, which of course I gladly accepted.
As I read the Acknowledgements at the beginning of the book, I started to get a sense of how emotional this book was going to be.
The Brightness of Stars is a first hand account of what it is like to have been a child/young person in the British 'Care' system. It is brilliantly written and comes across as both inspiring and thought-provoking.
Together with the author's own story, there are stories from other 'care leavers'. Although their situations and stories differ, there are several reoccurring themes, including abuse & neglect, but most importantly, what I would call, resilience. These individuals have chosen to make the most of their lives and not let their experiences drag them down. They have "managed to create a positive life from a negative environment". This may have taken time, intervention, assistance & love (including self-love), but it shows that the spiral can be broken.
Within the book Lisa states:
"This 'new' climate of knowledge around abuse and vulnerable children means that there is a very real window of opportunity for change."
I completely agree and I hope that the British Government & its agencies realise this before that window closes and we miss the opportunity to make a difference.
In my opinion, this book should be mandatory reading for social workers, education & medical professionals and anyone else who is involved with the British Care system.
July 15, 2014
This book gives a very good insight into the lives of people that have been 'looked after'. It provides information from both sides. As the child in care and from the people looking after the child. The book makes you think. It can be sad and disturbing in parts, but it does make you question things yourself.I found the overall theme in the book appears to be strength.I was please to receive my copy of this stunning readable book as a first reads prize.
July 30, 2021
Informative, clear & compelling. I had problems putting it down. I found some of the contributors stories difficult. It may have been because their experiences were painful. Only perhaps they are far removed from my own experiences.
I think of Lisa Cherry as a compassionate, generous spirited person who I would like to get to know better. She is empowering & has let her own twinkling light shine ever brighter.
I think of Lisa Cherry as a compassionate, generous spirited person who I would like to get to know better. She is empowering & has let her own twinkling light shine ever brighter.
June 6, 2021
Loved this book. Really helpful in understanding experiences of 'care'.
March 11, 2023
What an honour to read each and every story of the people represented in this book.
February 21, 2021
A fantastic read if you are planning on/ currently working with children in care/care leavers. The best insight always comes from those with experience.
Add it to your reading list Social Work Students!
Add it to your reading list Social Work Students!
June 7, 2021
A thought-provoking and at times harrowing read. Would recommend. Offputting title but important stuff.
January 1, 2025
“I first wrote this book for me. I then wrote it for us. I am now writing this book for you “
Important stories that give energy to the change children need
Important stories that give energy to the change children need
July 12, 2015
Definitely thought provoking - it would be a very useful read for professionals/social workers in the system, to appreciate how it feels on the other side. As a parent it was a timely reminder that communication with children is always key
June 3, 2015
As the child in care and from the people looking after the child. The book makes you think. It can be sad and disturbing in parts, but it does make you question things yourself.I found the overall theme in the book appears to be strength.
January 6, 2016
A testament of human resilience
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews