Although Jodie is only eight years old, she is violent, aggressive, and has already been through numerous foster families. Her last hope is Cathy Glass.From the Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author. Although Jodie is only eight years old, she is violent, aggressive, and has already been through numerous foster families. Her last hope is Cathy Glass.From the Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author. At the Social Services office, Cathy (an experienced foster carer) is pressured into taking Jodie as a new placement. Jodie's challenging behaviour has seen off five carers in four months. Despite her reservations, Cathy decides to take on Jodie to protect her from being placed in an institution. Jodie arrives, and her first act is to soil herself, and then wipe it on her face, grinning wickedly. Jodie meets Cathy's teenage children, and greets them with a sharp kick to the shins. That night, Cathy finds Jodie covered in blood, having cut her own wrist, and smeared the blood over her face. As Jodie begins to trust Cathy her behaviour improves. Over time, with childish honesty, she reveals details of her abuse at the hands of her parents and others. It becomes clear that Jodie's parents were involved in a sickening paedophile ring, with neighbours and Social Services not seeing what should have been obvious signs. Unfortunately Jodie becomes increasingly withdrawn, and it's clear she needs psychiatric therapy. Cathy urges the Social Services to provide funding, but instead they decide to take Jodie away from her, and place her in a residential unit. Although the paedophile ring is investigated and brought to justice, Jodie’s future is still up in the air. Cathy promises that she will stand by her no matter what – her love for the abandoned Jodie is unbreakable. 'Cannot fail to move those who read it.' Adoption-net ‘Heartbreaking.' The Mirror ‘A truly harrowing read that made me cry.’ The Sun 'A true tale of hope. ****.' OK! ‘Foster carers rarely get the praise they deserve, but Cathy Glass’s book should change all that.****’ First Magazine ‘A hugely touching and emotional true tale.’ Star Magazine Cathy has been a foster carer for over 20 years, during which time she has looked after more than 70 children, of all ages and backgrounds. Cathy runs training courses on fostering for her local Social Services, and helps draft new fostering procedures and guidelines. She has three teenage children of her own; one of whom was adopted after a long-term foster placement. The name Cathy Glass is a pseudonym. • Perfect for Mother’s Day promotions. • This is the first memoir of its kind by a foster carer. A powerful, moving story of one woman's love for a little girl abandoned by everyone else. Cathy's story will reveal shocking neglect and failure by the Social Services. • Extensive publicity anticipated – Cathy is an excellent spokesperson and author, and this book has all the ingredients to become another ‘Little Prisoner’. The book's contemporary, real-life story (Jodie is still in a home), and focus on caring and women's issues, will also have a wide media appeal. • Amongst other activity we will target the numerous fostering organisations, charities, agencies, and specialist publications, to promote, market and distribute the book. Competition: Jenny Tomlin's Behind Closed Doors (Hodder & Stoughton, 2005, 0340837926), Jane Elliot's The Little Prisoner (Harper Element, 2005, 0007208936 , The Kid (Kevin Lewis, Penguin, 2004, 0141014628),. Dave Pelzer's The Lost Boy (Orion, 2001, 0752879650)
Publicat de: HarperCollins Publishers