Damaged - Cathy Glass

Have you read Torey Hayden's books? If you like her books, then you should read Damaged by Cathy Glass.

Damaged is Cathy's true account of fostering a 7-year-old very disturbed girl, Jodie. Jodie has lived with numerous foster families but because of her violent and angry behaviour, no-one has been able to cope with her. Cathy seems to be her only hope. But even for Cathy - a very experienced foster parent - Jodie turns out to be a challenge. Slowly the trust between Cathy and Jodie grows stronger and Jodie starts revealing snippets of the unspeakable abuse she has been subjected to.

I've read quite a few books like this about traumatized children but this one is one of the most shocking. Damaged is an eye-opener, even if what the reader is forced to see is absolutely horrific. It's harrowing how long Jodie was kept living with parents who abused her so profoundly. Unfortunately children are being broken and damaged like this everyday by monsterous, evil people who often are the ones the child should be able to trust. It would be worthwhile for anyone considering fostering or adopting to read this book.

It is comforting to know that there are people like Cathy out there who do not give up on children like Jodie. Check out Cathy's site and her other books at: http://www.cathyglass.co.uk/index.htm. I've now reserved Hidden from the library...