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Crying for Help: The Shocking True Story of a Damaged Girl with a Dark Past
Two weeks after saying farewell to her first foster child, Casey is asked to look after Sophia, a troubled 12-year-old with a sad past. Sophia’s actions are disturbing and provocative and, before long, Casey and her family find themselves in a dark and dangerous situation.
Two years ago Sophia’s mother had a terrible accident. Sophia has been in care ever since.
Right away, Casey feels something isn’t right. Sophia’s a well-developed girl, who looks more like 18 than 12. She only seems to have eyes and ears for men, and treats all women with contempt and disgust. And she has everyone around her jumping through hoops.
Over time, as more details begin to emerge about Sophia’s past, it becomes clear that her behaviour is a front for an early life filled with pain and suffering. But although Casey feels she is gradually breaking through to Sophia and getting her to open up about things she has never spoken about before, her violence is threatening the safety of the whole family, forcing Casey to question whether she can really handle this lost and damaged girl.
Both shocking and inspiring, this true story will shed new light on the extreme and sometimes dangerous nature of foster care.
Two years ago Sophia’s mother had a terrible accident. Sophia has been in care ever since.
Right away, Casey feels something isn’t right. Sophia’s a well-developed girl, who looks more like 18 than 12. She only seems to have eyes and ears for men, and treats all women with contempt and disgust. And she has everyone around her jumping through hoops.
Over time, as more details begin to emerge about Sophia’s past, it becomes clear that her behaviour is a front for an early life filled with pain and suffering. But although Casey feels she is gradually breaking through to Sophia and getting her to open up about things she has never spoken about before, her violence is threatening the safety of the whole family, forcing Casey to question whether she can really handle this lost and damaged girl.
Both shocking and inspiring, this true story will shed new light on the extreme and sometimes dangerous nature of foster care.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
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2046 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
February 1, 2018
As Super Mães
Mães de Acolhimento ocupam-se da integração social daquelas crianças problemáticas, que parecem não ter lugar no Planeta.
Nados e criados no desamor, espelham a violência de que foram alvo e multiplicam-na conforme crescem. O seu estatuto social é mais ou menos equivalente ao do Lixo. São seres indesejáveis, e potenciais psicopatas!
O trabalho destas mães é deveras desafiante e louvável, pois como é fácil prever , lidam com casos bem bicudos!...
Em particular, nesta história iremos acompanhar uma adolescente daquelas super insuportáveis! E de que maneira! Livra!... E bem que me apetecia socorrer-me dum vocábulo mais expressivo para extravasar o que estou a sentir no momento. Se não o faço, é por puro e simples decoro ;)
Só mesmo a grande dedicação do Amor Incondicional poderá algum dia, encaminhar jovens desta estirpe!...
Estas cerzideiras da sociedade conquistam a nossa admiração, pois arriscam a sua segurança e a dos seus, em prol dum bem maior - prestam um contributo inestimável à construção dum mundo melhor!
Venham mais...venham mais que são todas poucas!...
Permitam-me convidar-vos a conhecer de perto o dia a dia destas mães incansáveis. A sua capacidade de entrega, o seu altruísmo desmedido , é uma fonte de inspiração que torna esta leitura altamente recomendável!!!
Mães de Acolhimento ocupam-se da integração social daquelas crianças problemáticas, que parecem não ter lugar no Planeta.
Nados e criados no desamor, espelham a violência de que foram alvo e multiplicam-na conforme crescem. O seu estatuto social é mais ou menos equivalente ao do Lixo. São seres indesejáveis, e potenciais psicopatas!
O trabalho destas mães é deveras desafiante e louvável, pois como é fácil prever , lidam com casos bem bicudos!...
Em particular, nesta história iremos acompanhar uma adolescente daquelas super insuportáveis! E de que maneira! Livra!... E bem que me apetecia socorrer-me dum vocábulo mais expressivo para extravasar o que estou a sentir no momento. Se não o faço, é por puro e simples decoro ;)
Só mesmo a grande dedicação do Amor Incondicional poderá algum dia, encaminhar jovens desta estirpe!...
Estas cerzideiras da sociedade conquistam a nossa admiração, pois arriscam a sua segurança e a dos seus, em prol dum bem maior - prestam um contributo inestimável à construção dum mundo melhor!
Venham mais...venham mais que são todas poucas!...
Permitam-me convidar-vos a conhecer de perto o dia a dia destas mães incansáveis. A sua capacidade de entrega, o seu altruísmo desmedido , é uma fonte de inspiração que torna esta leitura altamente recomendável!!!
January 20, 2013
Hard to say I liked this book, considering the subject matter, but it was well written. Except I wish the author would quit ending each chapter with "little did I know how wrong I was/how much my life would change/the worst was yet to come..."
November 28, 2022
I SWEAR IF THESE PEOPLE CALL EACH OTHER LOVE ONE MORE TIME I AM GOING TO SCREAM. GOOD LORD!
I’m fairly certain I’ve read several of this woman’s books. I know I own quite a few. But she reminds me of the foster care parent version of Educated. I mean really this child is a psychopath and you are smiling and sending her to her room. She’s thirteen and what she wants is all over her shelves and on top,of her dressers. So I’m thinking that is not a punishment. Not to mention that you sugar coat everything you try to report to the social welfare staff. AND WHY HAVE YOU NOT BEEN MAKING SURE SHE IS TAKING HER MEDS? WTH Casey? Sunshine and butterflies fart out of her butt when she rides her unicorn I guess
I’m fairly certain I’ve read several of this woman’s books. I know I own quite a few. But she reminds me of the foster care parent version of Educated. I mean really this child is a psychopath and you are smiling and sending her to her room. She’s thirteen and what she wants is all over her shelves and on top,of her dressers. So I’m thinking that is not a punishment. Not to mention that you sugar coat everything you try to report to the social welfare staff. AND WHY HAVE YOU NOT BEEN MAKING SURE SHE IS TAKING HER MEDS? WTH Casey? Sunshine and butterflies fart out of her butt when she rides her unicorn I guess
September 20, 2014
First of all, the book itself. What a nightmare to read. A Kindle ebook that ran to 455 pages on my laptop.
There were many, many, many blank pages between chapters, and even in the middle of chapters. I spent more time hitting the down arrow than reading.
Then, the story finished at page 249...the last 206 pages were blank. I know, because I checked...every damn page!!
Casey Watson was particularly irritating in this book. The Watson's accept a short term placement, Sophia, a sexually aware, provocative 12 year old going on 21.
There were times when I found Watson's behavior foolish. There is no doubt that Sophia was a very troubled child, and under the circumstances, Watson should have put her own family first. Sophia was suicidal, and there was a suspicion that she was responsible for her mothers death. She was aggressive, violent and abusive, and there was the potential for an alleged sexual assault charge brought against her husband and her son. I found it really hard to believe that they let the problems escalate to such a degree that it almost ended in disaster.
I found the whole story questionable.
September 8, 2015
Ridiculous. Wish I hadn't bothered reading it.
For such an expert foster carer - she repeatedly tells us that she and her husband are the "stars" of her fostering agency, highly recommended (despite this only being their second placement!) - she seems incredibly naive, not to mention condescending.
At the beginning of the book she criticises the professionals dealing with Sophia for pandering to her demands, yet every time the little girl has one of her "funny turns" or does something dangerous Casey rushes to give her a hug.
She is aware very early on of how sexually precocious Sophia is yet doesn't appear to follow any sort of safe care plan - apart from warning her almost adult son that he'd better not wander around in his boxers in front of this child!! (How about not wandering round in his boxers in front of ANY foster child!)
She's warned that Sophia's medication is vitally important yet leaves it to her to take herself - believing her (a 12 year old, troubled little girl with a history of lying) when she promises to take her tablet at the school, then acting extremely surprised when she's called to school as the little girl didn't take the tablet (how surprising!) and has now had a collapse.
There are dozens of other incidents like this and I know I'm not the only UK foster carer who no longer believes her accounts are as "true life" as the publishers claim.
For such an expert foster carer - she repeatedly tells us that she and her husband are the "stars" of her fostering agency, highly recommended (despite this only being their second placement!) - she seems incredibly naive, not to mention condescending.
At the beginning of the book she criticises the professionals dealing with Sophia for pandering to her demands, yet every time the little girl has one of her "funny turns" or does something dangerous Casey rushes to give her a hug.
She is aware very early on of how sexually precocious Sophia is yet doesn't appear to follow any sort of safe care plan - apart from warning her almost adult son that he'd better not wander around in his boxers in front of this child!! (How about not wandering round in his boxers in front of ANY foster child!)
She's warned that Sophia's medication is vitally important yet leaves it to her to take herself - believing her (a 12 year old, troubled little girl with a history of lying) when she promises to take her tablet at the school, then acting extremely surprised when she's called to school as the little girl didn't take the tablet (how surprising!) and has now had a collapse.
There are dozens of other incidents like this and I know I'm not the only UK foster carer who no longer believes her accounts are as "true life" as the publishers claim.
March 26, 2017
Se já era fã de Torey Hayden, encontrei em Casey Watson outra forma de ajuda para quem mais precisa de carinho, compreensão e acima de tudo muito amor. Tenho muita estima e consideração por estas mulheres que sujeitam-se a si e as suas famílias para dar algum conforto a estas crianças.
Opinião completa aqui: http://baudatanocas.blogs.sapo.pt/um-...
Opinião completa aqui: http://baudatanocas.blogs.sapo.pt/um-...
July 29, 2021
Como o nome indica este livro é realmente "Um Grito de Socorro", de uma menina chamada Sophie, que tem a tenra idade de 12 anos, quando foi entregue a uma família de acolhimento temporário dos Watson.
A leitura do livro fez-me ver mais uma vez, apesar de já ter plena noção desta realidade devido à minha profissão, a importância crucial das BOAS famílias de acolhimento. Estas famílias, estes pais de acolhimento, têm enormes privações ao nível familiar, pois a maioria das crianças que entram nos seus lares vem de famílias destruturadas, algumas já vivem à muito num regime de autogestão, ou seja, vivem por conta própria. Logo são crianças que têm vícios comportamentais, muitas vezes de automutilação, comportamentos que assumem para lhes ser dada a atenção e a dedicação que tanto necessitam mas que recusam. O conflito interior destas crianças é levado ao extremo, se algumas têm a capacidade de conseguirem adaptar-se a uma nova família e adotar comportamentos adequados, outras não têm.
Sophie é uma criança que com os seus tenros 12 anos já viu e passou por mais do que muitos adultos passaram em toda a sua vida. Não é de todo uma criança afável, tem momentos de descontrolo total da sua personalidade, é violenta quer em termos físicos quer a nível psicológico. Sofre da doença de Addison o que pode levar a elevados estados de ansiedade. Contudo, tudo o que era justificável pela doença, começou ao longo do tempo a ser questionável por parte dos pais de acolhimento. Ao comportamento de predisposição sexual para com os adultos e os seus ataques agressivos de extrema fúria, Casey começa a suspeitar que não têm nada a ver com a sua doença, mas sim uma problemática eventualmente do foro mental.
Mas será que se pode exigir a uma criança que aos 10 anos assistiu há tentativa de suicídio da sua mãe, que aos 10 anos já tinha sido molestada pelos namorados da sua progenitora. Quando foi entregue ao seu tio, este a aceita para mais tarde a recusou. Até os seus avós recusam aceitar a sua neta para dar os seus mimos e carinhos.
Este livro vai ficar na minha memória, tanto pelo sofrimento destas Sophie(s) que andam por este mundo fora, como pela força, determinação e garra desta mãe de acolhimento.
Recomendo vivamente esta leitura.
A leitura do livro fez-me ver mais uma vez, apesar de já ter plena noção desta realidade devido à minha profissão, a importância crucial das BOAS famílias de acolhimento. Estas famílias, estes pais de acolhimento, têm enormes privações ao nível familiar, pois a maioria das crianças que entram nos seus lares vem de famílias destruturadas, algumas já vivem à muito num regime de autogestão, ou seja, vivem por conta própria. Logo são crianças que têm vícios comportamentais, muitas vezes de automutilação, comportamentos que assumem para lhes ser dada a atenção e a dedicação que tanto necessitam mas que recusam. O conflito interior destas crianças é levado ao extremo, se algumas têm a capacidade de conseguirem adaptar-se a uma nova família e adotar comportamentos adequados, outras não têm.
Sophie é uma criança que com os seus tenros 12 anos já viu e passou por mais do que muitos adultos passaram em toda a sua vida. Não é de todo uma criança afável, tem momentos de descontrolo total da sua personalidade, é violenta quer em termos físicos quer a nível psicológico. Sofre da doença de Addison o que pode levar a elevados estados de ansiedade. Contudo, tudo o que era justificável pela doença, começou ao longo do tempo a ser questionável por parte dos pais de acolhimento. Ao comportamento de predisposição sexual para com os adultos e os seus ataques agressivos de extrema fúria, Casey começa a suspeitar que não têm nada a ver com a sua doença, mas sim uma problemática eventualmente do foro mental.
Mas será que se pode exigir a uma criança que aos 10 anos assistiu há tentativa de suicídio da sua mãe, que aos 10 anos já tinha sido molestada pelos namorados da sua progenitora. Quando foi entregue ao seu tio, este a aceita para mais tarde a recusou. Até os seus avós recusam aceitar a sua neta para dar os seus mimos e carinhos.
Este livro vai ficar na minha memória, tanto pelo sofrimento destas Sophie(s) que andam por este mundo fora, como pela força, determinação e garra desta mãe de acolhimento.
Recomendo vivamente esta leitura.
Read
June 14, 2013Im not sure I feel comfortable rating the clear suffering of children. However, it was written and provided a lot of information on the failings of the UK care system. I think if you are considering fostering - I would recommend reading so that you know what you could be letting yourself in for.
April 4, 2016
**may be spoilers**
I have read other books by Casey Watson and have really enjoyed them, however this has to be one of my favourite's so far.
I do want to start by pointing out one this I have noticed however and it's that I have noticed how the images on the front of her books don't always match with the story inside. For example, the front of this book shows a young child, maybe 3-4 years old approx; but the story is about a young teen of 12. I noticed this with another book of hers also. I am not sure why this is and can be a little misleading to the audience.
Some of Casey's books seem to cover her time as a behaviour specialist working with children within a school setting who present to her behaviour unit/classroom with difficulties. Other books reflect on her experiences fostering children after she stopped working in the school. My favourite books tend to be those set in the Fostering environment and are similar to my Favourite Author's works (Cathy Glass).
This is one of the most shocking and possibly most true to life of how many struggles a Foster Parent or Foster Parents can have pushed upon them when they are fostering a very emotionally troubled child. What Casey and her family were dealing with in this story truly is even scary at times and it's the first Fostering story I have read were I was almost willing the foster parent to give up fostering that particular child because of the destruction the child's behaviour was causing and how dangerous it was at times. However, Casey holds on, despite everything and helps this child until she has the situation taken out of her hands.
A really harrowing but fascinating read! Highly Recommended Author and I have some more of her books sitting ready to read beside me.
I have read other books by Casey Watson and have really enjoyed them, however this has to be one of my favourite's so far.
I do want to start by pointing out one this I have noticed however and it's that I have noticed how the images on the front of her books don't always match with the story inside. For example, the front of this book shows a young child, maybe 3-4 years old approx; but the story is about a young teen of 12. I noticed this with another book of hers also. I am not sure why this is and can be a little misleading to the audience.
Some of Casey's books seem to cover her time as a behaviour specialist working with children within a school setting who present to her behaviour unit/classroom with difficulties. Other books reflect on her experiences fostering children after she stopped working in the school. My favourite books tend to be those set in the Fostering environment and are similar to my Favourite Author's works (Cathy Glass).
This is one of the most shocking and possibly most true to life of how many struggles a Foster Parent or Foster Parents can have pushed upon them when they are fostering a very emotionally troubled child. What Casey and her family were dealing with in this story truly is even scary at times and it's the first Fostering story I have read were I was almost willing the foster parent to give up fostering that particular child because of the destruction the child's behaviour was causing and how dangerous it was at times. However, Casey holds on, despite everything and helps this child until she has the situation taken out of her hands.
A really harrowing but fascinating read! Highly Recommended Author and I have some more of her books sitting ready to read beside me.
April 2, 2016
I'm going to keep this review fairly short, just because I don't really know what to say about this book other than the things I continually thought throughout. The rating was a toss-up for me because sometimes I just found myself reading forever and then other times it just flew by.
So, this book continues off the first one. Casey Watson and her family take in a disturbed teenager who has never found a placement that she belongs in. It's hard for me to really not be biased toward the disease that she had before being placed with this family and how it affected her mentally. But, this girl was a menace! Oh, I would have been so frustrated and upset every day, I would think which is why I am giving kudos to Casey and her family for holding down the fort! Jeeeeez!
But, yeah, Sophia (their foster child) has a lot of issues when she arrives. Some which show themselves pretty much right away and other that slowly come to the surface. One being her provocative attitude. Wearing next to nothing as she struts around their house, making sure she is seen. Caking on her makeup and grabbing Casey's son and husband.
Long story short, Casey has her work cut out for her! And as Sophia pummels down and past their wildest expectations they begin to wonder if they passed the point fo no return.
The thing that bothered me while reading this was at the end of each chapter there was sort of a play on foreshadowing and a "cliffhanger" type thing that sort of left me groaning. I mean, there are ways to make foreshadowing possible without just laying it down.
So, this book continues off the first one. Casey Watson and her family take in a disturbed teenager who has never found a placement that she belongs in. It's hard for me to really not be biased toward the disease that she had before being placed with this family and how it affected her mentally. But, this girl was a menace! Oh, I would have been so frustrated and upset every day, I would think which is why I am giving kudos to Casey and her family for holding down the fort! Jeeeeez!
But, yeah, Sophia (their foster child) has a lot of issues when she arrives. Some which show themselves pretty much right away and other that slowly come to the surface. One being her provocative attitude. Wearing next to nothing as she struts around their house, making sure she is seen. Caking on her makeup and grabbing Casey's son and husband.
Long story short, Casey has her work cut out for her! And as Sophia pummels down and past their wildest expectations they begin to wonder if they passed the point fo no return.
The thing that bothered me while reading this was at the end of each chapter there was sort of a play on foreshadowing and a "cliffhanger" type thing that sort of left me groaning. I mean, there are ways to make foreshadowing possible without just laying it down.
January 21, 2016
A book I found difficult to put down, with the many emotions I felt while reading it. This story of Casey and Mike, such a caring couple, taking on the foster care of Sophia, a young girl who had such attitude, but was soon found to have many complicated issues. I admired them so much for all that they went through, yet they were still determeined to help this very troubled young girl. I was astounded at the lack of help and information they were given; so much of the Sophia's background was kept from them, so it was like they were trying to walk through treacle, constantly trying to guess 'what next?'. I did feel that the book ended a little abruptly but, given the way their care of Sophia came to end, it was unavoidable. A great story and, because of it, I'll definitely be looking for more books by Casey Watson.
July 1, 2013
If this would have been the first book, it would have been the only one by this author that I would have read. It got to the point where the incidents were becoming almost like an elongated list. It was constantly repeated that this author felt as if she wasn't getting appropriate help for her charge and not being listened to with the severity of the situation. The problem with this was that it went on for most of the book and never seemed to get anywhere. It was a relief when it finally ended.
August 18, 2016
Didn't like this book very much. To start if I was given a euro for every time the word love was used I would be very wealthy!!! it was so annoying. She came across very inexperienced. I think placing Sophia/Sophie was a mistake from the start. Poor kid never should have been there. I didn't appreciate the referrals to her first foster child Justin to plug another book within another child's story was in bad taste. She really wanted to let the reader know what a great job she did. Glad I picked this up for cheap in a charity shop now it's going back !!
January 26, 2013
Very simply written and not too much depth of character but a very interesting look at what a blessing foster parents are for our children in need. These people deserve our respect and support and most of all our thanks.
May 14, 2024
5 stars ⭐️
This is the 4th book I read by Casey Watson, and they are all 5 stars so far. But I have to confess that I have a favourite, a 6 stars book that made me cry, “The boy no one loved”, Justin!
This book tho, Crying for Help, is about a damaged 12 year old girl. Damaged emotionally, physically and mentally. It’s a true story and again, Casey blew me away, not just in the way she and her family help but also in the girl’s story.
I am very emotional when the topic is abused children, abused in any way (mentally, physically, emotionally). And reading the books from this author (and real foster parent) reminds me that there are good people doing everything to help these children and put them back into society as functional adults.
The writing is not excellent, I’ve said this in other Casey Watson’s books. But it doesn’t bother me in these stories. I am so focused and interested in the real story itself that I really don’t mind the writing nor the repetitions nor the chapter’s “cliffhangers”. I noticed them, but they don’t bother me and they don’t disturb my reading in any way.
Casey Watson’s books always make me sad, thinking about how much these children went through in such a short period of time, such a short life. But it also restores my faith in humanity!
And that’s why I love reading them and I’m pretty sure they are all going to be 5 stars for me 🥹
This is the 4th book I read by Casey Watson, and they are all 5 stars so far. But I have to confess that I have a favourite, a 6 stars book that made me cry, “The boy no one loved”, Justin!
This book tho, Crying for Help, is about a damaged 12 year old girl. Damaged emotionally, physically and mentally. It’s a true story and again, Casey blew me away, not just in the way she and her family help but also in the girl’s story.
I am very emotional when the topic is abused children, abused in any way (mentally, physically, emotionally). And reading the books from this author (and real foster parent) reminds me that there are good people doing everything to help these children and put them back into society as functional adults.
The writing is not excellent, I’ve said this in other Casey Watson’s books. But it doesn’t bother me in these stories. I am so focused and interested in the real story itself that I really don’t mind the writing nor the repetitions nor the chapter’s “cliffhangers”. I noticed them, but they don’t bother me and they don’t disturb my reading in any way.
Casey Watson’s books always make me sad, thinking about how much these children went through in such a short period of time, such a short life. But it also restores my faith in humanity!
And that’s why I love reading them and I’m pretty sure they are all going to be 5 stars for me 🥹
January 28, 2024
É surpreendente a capacidade que as famílias de acolhimento têm de ter para superar situações complicadas como as que foram retratadas neste livro. Que hajam mais pessoas como a Casey e que não desistam de crianças que só precisam de apoio e muito amor.
July 25, 2018
Review to follow
February 20, 2017
This one was intense, but great to read and see how much good can be done. It reminded my of my days in the girls home and all the intense situations I found myself in. This family trained to take the most extreme situations and we won't be doing that, but I loved her good attitude and dedication despite the problems. The most telling thing was how her kids (adults- only one living in the house) were so supportive even when they had "bad" things happen to them. It was worth it to them to continue helping this girl. It solidified things I've been feeling. The crazier thing about his story and others like it is how they just end. Something changes and the placement is over. It was sometimes foreseen, at least to some extent, but it's still hard and seems sudden. That's why it's so important to see the good you can and are doing!
September 12, 2016
I loved this book! Casey decides to temporarily take on a foster child so her regular carer can recover her health. When Casey first meets Sophia, she is shocked by her "little madam" attitude. She orders the adults on her team around and they all walk on eggshells around her. Casey quickly realizes there is more to Sophia than meets the eye. On top of that, she must learn how to care for Sophia's Addison disorder and taking Sophia to visit her comatose mother in the hospital.
Sophia was probably the scariest child I have ever read about in one of my foster care stories. I don't want to go into details, but when you read the book, you'll discover why. It was heartbreaking to see how she needed so much more specialized help than Casey could provide and just wasn't getting it. I was amazed at how the Watson family continued to provide support despite of the difficulty. I have mentioned before that Casey Watson feels like more of a real person than Cathy Glass. Cathy seems to do everything perfectly, while Casey often admits she messes things up and makes mistakes. I like seeing that Casey still makes a difference even though she and her family aren't perfect. She is extremely relatable.
My criticism is that every chapter ends with a similar line like, "If only we had known what was to come" or "Things were about to get harder." It's just really repetitive. Also, the front cover had a very young girl on it, but Sophia was 12 and fully developed in the book. It didn't match at all. Regardless, this is a great read for those who work with teens, especially ones from difficult circumstances. I definitely want to read another Casey Watson story ASAP.
Sophia was probably the scariest child I have ever read about in one of my foster care stories. I don't want to go into details, but when you read the book, you'll discover why. It was heartbreaking to see how she needed so much more specialized help than Casey could provide and just wasn't getting it. I was amazed at how the Watson family continued to provide support despite of the difficulty. I have mentioned before that Casey Watson feels like more of a real person than Cathy Glass. Cathy seems to do everything perfectly, while Casey often admits she messes things up and makes mistakes. I like seeing that Casey still makes a difference even though she and her family aren't perfect. She is extremely relatable.
My criticism is that every chapter ends with a similar line like, "If only we had known what was to come" or "Things were about to get harder." It's just really repetitive. Also, the front cover had a very young girl on it, but Sophia was 12 and fully developed in the book. It didn't match at all. Regardless, this is a great read for those who work with teens, especially ones from difficult circumstances. I definitely want to read another Casey Watson story ASAP.
December 21, 2014
As I have said in other reviews of Casey Watson's books.... I just love and admire the work she does.... Yes it is true that this child posed a great risk to the Watson family. It shows just how hard their work is... It is easy to say... Nope, get her out of here... But that is the worst thing you can do to a damaged child... It just proves to them they aren't worthy of love... And deserve to be abused... Which is exactly the opposite message the Watson's and any good foster carer wants to send to any child.... I do feel that the system needs a lot of work giving wonderful carer's such as the Watson's more support.... Hopefully through her books she can create an awareness of these needs and changes will come about to make their work easier... And will bring greater benefit to the children placed in their charge...
May 10, 2017
I agree with many other readers that this book is badly written and frequently quite annoying. I really don't like the fact that Casey has a bad cigarette habit, to give but one example. For someone who has to work out what is going on in the minds of troubled children, Casey doesn't strike me as being terribly good at understanding her own frailties.
I did find the case in question quite interesting - I felt really sorry for Sophia and for Casey and her family, and found the lack of support the Watsons got shocking, if unsurprising. There is no way that they should have been given Sophia as their second foster child - and equally no way that they should have been judged as star foster parents on the basis of just one foster child, though I dare say that was just flattery on the part of their fostering agency.
I did find the case in question quite interesting - I felt really sorry for Sophia and for Casey and her family, and found the lack of support the Watsons got shocking, if unsurprising. There is no way that they should have been given Sophia as their second foster child - and equally no way that they should have been judged as star foster parents on the basis of just one foster child, though I dare say that was just flattery on the part of their fostering agency.
May 16, 2017
This is the second book I've read by Casey Watson, and covers her second foster placement, a girl called Sophia. I like that I can read these in chronological order; it kind of helps in getting to know the family and things.
One thing that did bother me in this book is almost every chapter ended with the words 'little did I know...' or something of that ilk. Very heavy handed and unnecessary foreshadowing.
Also, I don't really understand why either Casey or the social services let it escalate as much as it did. It did make it seem a little unbelievable at times.
I don't think I enjoyed this one as much as I did the first book I read, but it still kept my attention and turning pages.
One thing that did bother me in this book is almost every chapter ended with the words 'little did I know...' or something of that ilk. Very heavy handed and unnecessary foreshadowing.
Also, I don't really understand why either Casey or the social services let it escalate as much as it did. It did make it seem a little unbelievable at times.
I don't think I enjoyed this one as much as I did the first book I read, but it still kept my attention and turning pages.
January 26, 2013
I am so impressed by her heart and determination! I relate to her on so many levels....she has the heart of a hero. but, about half way through I knew I would have had to get that disturbed and dangerous girl out of my home!!! kudos to her and her family. they are all truly hero's!
November 5, 2014
Too much English jargon for me. At times it was very distracting. I think the author tried to hard to make this suspenseful by ending each chapter with "but that was only the beginning" type phrases. Would not recommend.
February 16, 2013
A good read Casey and her family put up with such a lot with taking this girl glad there is people in the world who help these unfortunate children out.
April 5, 2013
I loved the story she wrote with Justin. This book is seriously getting on my nerves. The repetitive foreshadowing sentence at the end of each chapter is really unnecessary and seriously annoying.
April 9, 2015
Poorly written - like one of those badly written real life short magazine stories. Forced to finish as it was a bookclub choice. Admire her for fostering.
September 13, 2018
At first, 12-year-old Sophia comes across as a bit spoiled. She speaks rudely and gives orders to her social workers. Her new foster carer Casey Watson is alarmed and amazed.
Yet before long, it's clear that Sophia's life has been anything but ideal. She was diagnosed at a young age with Addison's, a potentially life-threatening illness that dictates much of her existence. Then, when Sophia was only 11, the single mother who raised her had a tragic accident, ending up in a vegetative state in a hospice. Is it any wonder Sophia has some behavior problems? As with all the other children who come into her home, Watson is determined to help as best she can.
But despite the most heartfelt efforts by the entire Watson family, young Sophia quickly seems to be growing worse. While she does indeed have her good days - days where she's sweet and kind, and it's easy to see the girl she could have been - there are also many days where Sophia seems mentally ill. Out of seemingly nowhere, her mood will change. She will begin to shout, make accusations, behave sexually toward adult men, and most terrifying, physically attack whoever is around her. As Sophia has already reached an adult height of 5'8", she's capable of inflicting serious harm.
Is Sophia truly suffering from some sort of mental illness? Or has the trauma of her mother's accident simply made some irreparable damage? What's more, the Watsons begin to question whether it even WAS an accident, as Sophia's behavior begins to hint at a darker possibility...
Watson tells the frank details of a story that isn't often told publicly, that of trying to care for a mentally ill child. Her words are both revealing and necessary.
Yet before long, it's clear that Sophia's life has been anything but ideal. She was diagnosed at a young age with Addison's, a potentially life-threatening illness that dictates much of her existence. Then, when Sophia was only 11, the single mother who raised her had a tragic accident, ending up in a vegetative state in a hospice. Is it any wonder Sophia has some behavior problems? As with all the other children who come into her home, Watson is determined to help as best she can.
But despite the most heartfelt efforts by the entire Watson family, young Sophia quickly seems to be growing worse. While she does indeed have her good days - days where she's sweet and kind, and it's easy to see the girl she could have been - there are also many days where Sophia seems mentally ill. Out of seemingly nowhere, her mood will change. She will begin to shout, make accusations, behave sexually toward adult men, and most terrifying, physically attack whoever is around her. As Sophia has already reached an adult height of 5'8", she's capable of inflicting serious harm.
Is Sophia truly suffering from some sort of mental illness? Or has the trauma of her mother's accident simply made some irreparable damage? What's more, the Watsons begin to question whether it even WAS an accident, as Sophia's behavior begins to hint at a darker possibility...
Watson tells the frank details of a story that isn't often told publicly, that of trying to care for a mentally ill child. Her words are both revealing and necessary.
April 27, 2021
One thing I've noticed is the cover of a lot of these books are of much younger children like older children wouldn't be as appealing to potential buyers- Sophia is twelve and the child on the cover of this book is about three or four and it's quite misleading.
It was frustrating to read about Sophia's mental health getting worse and worse throughout the book and she never got help until she attempted suicide and almost succeeded.
It really disturbs me that this was allowed to go on for as long as it did- the sexual episodes were extremely disturbing to read about and to be honest they're lucky that she didn't lie and tell people that Mike or Kieron had sexually assaulted her because the situation had been allowed to escalate to a point where this could have easily happened.
There were numerous red flags throughout the book in regard to Sophie's behaviour right from the start and I dislike the fact that they were joking about it saying that she reminded them of the girl in the exorcist
It was frustrating to read about Sophia's mental health getting worse and worse throughout the book and she never got help until she attempted suicide and almost succeeded.
It really disturbs me that this was allowed to go on for as long as it did- the sexual episodes were extremely disturbing to read about and to be honest they're lucky that she didn't lie and tell people that Mike or Kieron had sexually assaulted her because the situation had been allowed to escalate to a point where this could have easily happened.
There were numerous red flags throughout the book in regard to Sophie's behaviour right from the start and I dislike the fact that they were joking about it saying that she reminded them of the girl in the exorcist
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2017
Another Great Fostering Memoir
Great for anyone wanting an engaging read about a woman in the United Kingdom who fosters displaced and troubled children. I did not find this book to be as well written or as moving as those written by another Brit under the "nom de plum" of Cathy Glass. Watson is more factual than Glass and despite her issues, the twelve year old girl fostered is not very likable. Watson has difficulty conveying the combination of sympathy, affection, distaste, and confusion she feels toward her charge. Also, Watson did not learn the full extent of the psychological problems suffered by the child until several months as her carer, so revealing too much would ruin the story. However, despite its shortcomings, this a touching, worthwhile read.
Great for anyone wanting an engaging read about a woman in the United Kingdom who fosters displaced and troubled children. I did not find this book to be as well written or as moving as those written by another Brit under the "nom de plum" of Cathy Glass. Watson is more factual than Glass and despite her issues, the twelve year old girl fostered is not very likable. Watson has difficulty conveying the combination of sympathy, affection, distaste, and confusion she feels toward her charge. Also, Watson did not learn the full extent of the psychological problems suffered by the child until several months as her carer, so revealing too much would ruin the story. However, despite its shortcomings, this a touching, worthwhile read.
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