Question A

[Jonetta]

Kim and her team were handed the abduction case because Karen Timmins requested her. Kim didn’t remember her initially but knew her as Karen Holt, another girl in the care system (foster family #7) and had an unfavorable opinion of her. By the end of the story, did you understand why Karen had so much faith in her?

[Lisa - (Aussie Girl)]

It was interesting how it was mentioned that even way back in foster care and despite Kim's challenged past Karen still recognised some outstanding qualities in Kim. Genuine belief in justice, care for the under dog and doing what she felt was right. And Karen used Kim's example to turn her own life around. So it made sense when this horrible situation developed she didn't want anyone but Kim on the case. Even with Kim's prickly personality she knew she would give it her all and not rest till she found the children.

[Sandra]

I agree with Lisa. They may not have liked one another as co-foster girls, but Karen recognized Kim's tenacious determination for justice and knew their best shot at getting those girls home was Kim.

[Lynn]

I agree with Lisa and Sandra, but I also think that Kim's view of the foster care system was very different from Karen's. Karen was left with enough innocence to see Kim as a hero, while Kim only sees herself as a survivor.

[Brenda ~The Sisters~Book Witch]

I think Kim is a hard person to like because she holds so much of herself back and hides that vulnerable side by being cold on the outside. She has compassion and is driven She is not afraid of people not liking her and probably would rather they didn't so they don't underestimate her determination but maybe what she is willing to do. She is like Karen's secret weapon. I think Karen knew those things would bring her daughter home.

Something that I found interesting was how Charlie was the stronger determined one of the girls who looked out for Amy. It felt like in a way a parallel to Kim and Karen. Charlie was a lot like Kim in the way of being a savior/survivor. Maybe Karen saw that in her daughter too?

[Jonetta]

I found it incredibly interesting how the two women’s perceptions of the same events were so different. Karen saw Kim as a hero and courageous; Kim only saw the other girls as bullies and did what she needed to do to survive. Being passed around the care system after what she went through forced her to erect those “walls” we often talk about. Also, Karen got to see Kim’s true humanity when she negotiated that woman to surrender and helped her keep her child. She knew she would give everything to rescuing Charlie and Amy.

Brenda, I also noticed Charlie’s strength and resilience, how she kept Amy going. I didn’t think of that parallel but now that you mention it, I see it! Great point. And, I think Karen raised her to be that way. Even Amy’s parents were glad Charlie was with her.