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A Sister's Shame: The true story of little girls trapped in a cycle of abuse and neglect
'My heart felt heavy with sadness for these two little girls.'Foster carer Maggie Hartley is used to all manner of children arriving on her doorstep, but nothing can prepare her for sisters Billy and Bo when they arrive at her home. It is clear from the moment she sets eyes on them four-year-old Bo and seven-year-old Billy have clearly been subjected to unimaginable neglect, and it takes all of Maggie's skills as a foster carer to try to connect with the volatile little girls, who seem far younger than their years. Over time, the little girls slowly emerge from their shells, and Maggie begins the difficult task of trying to gain their trust. But as time goes on, it becomes clear that there is something much darker going on, something that will call into question everything Maggie has ever learned in all her years as a foster carer...A true story of hope from Sunday Times bestselling author Maggie Hartley, a foster carer for over 20 years.'A story that breaks your heart' 5* Amazon reader review
225 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 15, 2021
103 people are currently reading
467 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
April 20, 2021
Foster carer Maggie Hartley is used to all manner of children arriving on her doorstep, but nothing can prepare her for sisters Billie and Bo when they arrive at her home. It is clear from the moment she sets eyes on them four-year-old Bo and seven-year-old Billie have clearly been subjected to unimaginable neglect, and it takes all of Maggie's skills as a foster carer to try to connect with the volatile little girls, who seem far younger than their years.
Over time, the little girls slowly emerge from their shells, and Maggie begins the difficult task of trying to gain their trust. But as time goes on, it becomes clear that there is something much darker going on, something that will call into question everything Maggie has ever learned in all her years as a foster carer.
Over time, the little girls slowly emerge from their shells, and Maggie begins the difficult task of trying to gain their trust. But as time goes on, it becomes clear that there is something much darker going on, something that will call into question everything Maggie has ever learned in all her years as a foster carer.
April 26, 2021
Another really good read. It was horrible to read what the children went through but it is encouraging that there are carers like Maggy out there who want to help them.
February 23, 2022
This is an interesting concept for a series of books -- much like the ones psychologists write about their patients (for the very BEST of these, see Good Morning, Monster by Catherine Gildiner). However, I was quite disturbed by the fact that a foster parent could miss clear signs of sexual abuse from the first instance. Was this done for dramatic effect? Or perhaps to lead the reader slowly to such a sad conclusion? It did not work for me. Overall, I enjoyed reading about these kids from the perspective of a foster parent, which I hope to become one day (when I grow up).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2021
Excellent as always.
April 30, 2021
Another brilliant book. Heart broke for the kids, especially Billie.
The world definitely need more people like Maggie.
The world definitely need more people like Maggie.
January 11, 2022
Heart breaking story
February 8, 2025
I found a new author for sure. Similar to Cathy Glass or Casey Watson but maybe a bit more detail.
It was a sad story but I read it in one sitting .
It was a sad story but I read it in one sitting .
April 21, 2021
Maggie Did It Again!
Maggie Hartley is amazing! I love reading her foster care stories. Time after time she accepts challenging cases and demonstrates how a safe and stable home environment, genuine dedication, and love can turn a child's life around. She also demonstrates her creativity through the strategies she applies. I would be honored to meet her!
Maggie Hartley is amazing! I love reading her foster care stories. Time after time she accepts challenging cases and demonstrates how a safe and stable home environment, genuine dedication, and love can turn a child's life around. She also demonstrates her creativity through the strategies she applies. I would be honored to meet her!
July 24, 2021
The writing in this book is excellent as usual. However, because of the content of this child’s story, you will need a strong stomach and a willingness to look at some fairly unpleasant things. This book has encouraged me to seriously think about what to do with a child who has been sexually exploited and who has exploited others out of ignorance. A knee-jerk reaction would say that the child should be separated from all community events, but that means punishing someone forever for something they didn’t understand. I haven’t finished pondering this situation. I’m only considering it because there might come a day when it would reach a church or other organization of which I am a member. I don’t want to be someone who reacts out of discussed and condemns someone unfairly. I also think that it is a serious thing to risk the safety of other children. So if I run into a situation like this, I want to have enough mental space to approach the situation with care and thought for both sides. I believe the foster care system described in this book handled it well in the end, and that may encourage us all to dig down a little and find good options.
August 4, 2024
As saddening as this story was, it was such an interesting read and signified how abuse can quite easily be the result of a very vicious cycle.
Billie, 7 and Beaux, 4, are brought to Maggie as an emergency placement after being removed from their home due to neglect. The girls arrive at Maggie’s and are frightfully over weight, which turns out to be due to only ever being fed sweets, crisps, chocolate and biscuits. They are very unfamiliar with proper meals and find sitting at a table to eat at meal times, very strange.
Neither girl is toilet trained and despite Billie being 7, she finds it appropriate and normal to drop her pants at any moment and relieve herself on the floor.
Neither child had ever been to school and it sadly appears that the family have slipped off the radar altogether, meaning the neglect had gone unnoticed as no one knew the family actually existed.
Maggie worked hard with the girls, establishing a routine, feeding them proper food and healthy meals and healthy snacks. She established a good bedtime routine and managed to successfully toilet train both girls, allowing Billie to start school.
Maggie noticed that Billie behaved very sexually inappropriate towards herself and her younger sister. It took time, but after a lot of digging and sensitive handling? Maggie, Liz (the social
Worker) and a female police officer were able to get Billie to open up on who had taught her to behave in such a way.
Sadly, due to Billie’s inappropriate behaviour towards Beaux, the girls had to be separated. Maggie kept Billie and Beaux went to live on with another foster family.
As the puzzle started to take shape and fix together, it became apparent that the children’s Mother, Mandy, had severe learning difficulties, had been abused herself as a child and had been in a sexual relationship with her own brother for years, meaning that both the girls were fathered by their own Uncle.
Needless to say, the pair faced an incest charge and a court order was brought in to permanently remove the girls from their care.
I really enjoy reading fostering memoirs and Maggie’s book are definitely ones that I would recommend if you wanted to get into reading this genre too. She is very straight to the point and doesn’t equivocate or fudge the issue. I am really looking forward to reading more of her work.
Billie, 7 and Beaux, 4, are brought to Maggie as an emergency placement after being removed from their home due to neglect. The girls arrive at Maggie’s and are frightfully over weight, which turns out to be due to only ever being fed sweets, crisps, chocolate and biscuits. They are very unfamiliar with proper meals and find sitting at a table to eat at meal times, very strange.
Neither girl is toilet trained and despite Billie being 7, she finds it appropriate and normal to drop her pants at any moment and relieve herself on the floor.
Neither child had ever been to school and it sadly appears that the family have slipped off the radar altogether, meaning the neglect had gone unnoticed as no one knew the family actually existed.
Maggie worked hard with the girls, establishing a routine, feeding them proper food and healthy meals and healthy snacks. She established a good bedtime routine and managed to successfully toilet train both girls, allowing Billie to start school.
Maggie noticed that Billie behaved very sexually inappropriate towards herself and her younger sister. It took time, but after a lot of digging and sensitive handling? Maggie, Liz (the social
Worker) and a female police officer were able to get Billie to open up on who had taught her to behave in such a way.
Sadly, due to Billie’s inappropriate behaviour towards Beaux, the girls had to be separated. Maggie kept Billie and Beaux went to live on with another foster family.
As the puzzle started to take shape and fix together, it became apparent that the children’s Mother, Mandy, had severe learning difficulties, had been abused herself as a child and had been in a sexual relationship with her own brother for years, meaning that both the girls were fathered by their own Uncle.
Needless to say, the pair faced an incest charge and a court order was brought in to permanently remove the girls from their care.
I really enjoy reading fostering memoirs and Maggie’s book are definitely ones that I would recommend if you wanted to get into reading this genre too. She is very straight to the point and doesn’t equivocate or fudge the issue. I am really looking forward to reading more of her work.
December 29, 2025
📚 Finished: A Sister’s Shame by Maggie Hartley
I finished this this morning and flew through it. It’s one of those books that moves quickly because the patterns and structure feel familiar.
It follows two sisters growing up with neglect and abuse, and what happens to them within the care system. It’s less about shock and more about the long-term effects: sibling dynamics, missed protection, quiet harm, and how shame and survival shape children differently even within the same family.
It feels similar in tone to Tiny Prisoners, but with a slightly different focus. Tiny Prisoners looks more at early childhood and very young children, whereas A Sister’s Shame leans into sibling relationships and how shared trauma can land differently over time.
These books are very different to the celebrity biographies I sometimes read to break up the heaviness. Fostering memoirs are more grounded and observational, written from lived experience rather than spectacle.
Not an easy read, but a recognisable one.
📚 On to the next
📕 Behind closed doors
🔗 https://amzn.eu/d/dyJPRkI
📚 Other books mentioned
📕 A sisters shame
🔗 https://amzn.eu/d/0YQWPFd
📕 Tiny prisoners
🔗 https://amzn.eu/d/9R9N9m1
Updated to our fostering, memoirs and fiction book club on Facebook.
I finished this this morning and flew through it. It’s one of those books that moves quickly because the patterns and structure feel familiar.
It follows two sisters growing up with neglect and abuse, and what happens to them within the care system. It’s less about shock and more about the long-term effects: sibling dynamics, missed protection, quiet harm, and how shame and survival shape children differently even within the same family.
It feels similar in tone to Tiny Prisoners, but with a slightly different focus. Tiny Prisoners looks more at early childhood and very young children, whereas A Sister’s Shame leans into sibling relationships and how shared trauma can land differently over time.
These books are very different to the celebrity biographies I sometimes read to break up the heaviness. Fostering memoirs are more grounded and observational, written from lived experience rather than spectacle.
Not an easy read, but a recognisable one.
📚 On to the next
📕 Behind closed doors
🔗 https://amzn.eu/d/dyJPRkI
📚 Other books mentioned
📕 A sisters shame
🔗 https://amzn.eu/d/0YQWPFd
📕 Tiny prisoners
🔗 https://amzn.eu/d/9R9N9m1
Updated to our fostering, memoirs and fiction book club on Facebook.
May 2, 2021
A Sister’s Shame. by Maggie Hartley.
Maggie gets a call there are 2 girls .. sisters who are needed to be placed can she do it ..... they are in dire need of care. These girls have not been really cared for by their Mum and Uncle ... they are well overweight and have been taught nothing in life..... no life skills at all. They are young Bo is 4 years old and Billie 7 years old and has not even been to school yet!
Maggie really has her work cut out for her if she is to teach these girls basic normal skills that they should have been taught .... and then another problem will arise that Maggie can not allow to keep happening!
A great book again from a great author!
Maggie gets a call there are 2 girls .. sisters who are needed to be placed can she do it ..... they are in dire need of care. These girls have not been really cared for by their Mum and Uncle ... they are well overweight and have been taught nothing in life..... no life skills at all. They are young Bo is 4 years old and Billie 7 years old and has not even been to school yet!
Maggie really has her work cut out for her if she is to teach these girls basic normal skills that they should have been taught .... and then another problem will arise that Maggie can not allow to keep happening!
A great book again from a great author!
May 8, 2021
Another touching tale of Maggie’s magic.
The sudden appearance of two neglected children on the porch is nothing new for Maggie, but these two girls are anything but typical, even for her.
The sordid truth is slow in coming because no one wants to believe the unthinkable truth is even possible, but Maggie’s sharp instinct tells her that something just isn’t right.
In the end, Maggie supports her charge with the grace and compassion we all expect from her before being faced with a heart wrenching choice. With a heavy heart, she listens to her instincts and makes the right choice for everyone involved.
I highly recommend reading this and all of Maggie’s books.
The sudden appearance of two neglected children on the porch is nothing new for Maggie, but these two girls are anything but typical, even for her.
The sordid truth is slow in coming because no one wants to believe the unthinkable truth is even possible, but Maggie’s sharp instinct tells her that something just isn’t right.
In the end, Maggie supports her charge with the grace and compassion we all expect from her before being faced with a heart wrenching choice. With a heavy heart, she listens to her instincts and makes the right choice for everyone involved.
I highly recommend reading this and all of Maggie’s books.
August 27, 2021
Aside from the nature of the story told in this book and others like it I really enjoyed reading it. It was easy to get through and I felt a warmth towards Maggie unlike in others at times. I’m going to look out for more by her. It still saddens me that there is so much hurt and pain inflicted on others but especially children but it’s comforting to know there are many more kind caring people out there.
May 10, 2021
Unusual
Maggie Hartley receives 2 sisters aged 4 and 7 into her care. They are both overweight, not potty trained and neither has been to school.The older child is found to be sexually abusing her younger sister in a tickling game. The book must be read to learn what else went on in these children's lives.
Maggie Hartley receives 2 sisters aged 4 and 7 into her care. They are both overweight, not potty trained and neither has been to school.The older child is found to be sexually abusing her younger sister in a tickling game. The book must be read to learn what else went on in these children's lives.
May 19, 2021
Another amazing read of Maggie Hartley. This case was a lot different to her others and I am truly amazed at how wonderfully she dealt with this situation. A very interesting read about 2 little girls who were in desperate need of help both physically and mentally. This is without a doubt a 5 star read.
April 16, 2021
Billie and Bo
Maggie was asked to Foster 2 little girls who were living in a dysfunctional family but this wasn't anything like Maggie had done before a really exceptional book from Maggie well worth 5 stars
Maggie was asked to Foster 2 little girls who were living in a dysfunctional family but this wasn't anything like Maggie had done before a really exceptional book from Maggie well worth 5 stars
April 18, 2021
Wow
Those poor littlegirls, to suffer the way they did is very sad. I am glad they found someone like you then the others who care for them. Do you still today sed Loisia and her kids? Even after having your own or adopting your own?
Those poor littlegirls, to suffer the way they did is very sad. I am glad they found someone like you then the others who care for them. Do you still today sed Loisia and her kids? Even after having your own or adopting your own?
Read
April 18, 2021Another good read
Really enjoyed this book. was an eye opener for me as never expected someone that young to have that kind of learned behaviour so sad really. I'm getting excited to hear about Louisa baby being born. Can't wait for your next book Maggie
Really enjoyed this book. was an eye opener for me as never expected someone that young to have that kind of learned behaviour so sad really. I'm getting excited to hear about Louisa baby being born. Can't wait for your next book Maggie
April 30, 2021
Another fantastic book from Maggie Hartley. I couldn't put it down. I felt so sorry for Billie and Bo for how their lives was. Really enjoyed it and looking forward to reading Maggie's next one in December.
May 31, 2021
Heart wrenching but filled with hope.
As usual, Maggie is able to help a troubled child with the past. She is able to show each child love and kindness as she tries to create a new "normal" for them.
As usual, Maggie is able to help a troubled child with the past. She is able to show each child love and kindness as she tries to create a new "normal" for them.
December 6, 2021
Happy ending for tragic situations
Great books for parents, teachers, and anyone who loves children. Real life techniques and help to understand a world that most of us are lucky to have never lived.
Great books for parents, teachers, and anyone who loves children. Real life techniques and help to understand a world that most of us are lucky to have never lived.
January 22, 2022
Heartbreaking
Heart breaking to read, what these poor children went through and then to find out parents had been abused too, hopefully with time and lots of love these children will begin to live happy and fulfilled lives
Heart breaking to read, what these poor children went through and then to find out parents had been abused too, hopefully with time and lots of love these children will begin to live happy and fulfilled lives
September 26, 2022
Great Read
I love Maggie 's books this is a story that breaks your heart for the children & Maggie. It would be nice to get updates of Maggie's stories this is the only thing that is missing.I recommend that everyone reads this & all her books.
I love Maggie 's books this is a story that breaks your heart for the children & Maggie. It would be nice to get updates of Maggie's stories this is the only thing that is missing.I recommend that everyone reads this & all her books.
April 17, 2021
I read this in two nightly session! Maggie always keeps me gripped until I've finished her latest fostering memoir. Her memories are clear and well told.
April 25, 2021
GOOD BOOK
Read
April 25, 2021A well writtem book on caring for sisters with a secret. I like that maggie is clear with her fostering intentions but does her best with the children in her care.
May 1, 2021
So sad
Once agan a well written account by Maggie Hartley. This was such a sad story, but Maggie did her very best for these children.
Once agan a well written account by Maggie Hartley. This was such a sad story, but Maggie did her very best for these children.
May 2, 2021
Another fantastic book by Maggie,
Very hard to put down and very emotional story , cant wait for the next book.
Very hard to put down and very emotional story , cant wait for the next book.
May 10, 2021
I have read many of her books,and. I am never disappointed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews