sarahannkateri's review against another edition
3.0
This is not a great book, but at least it tries to do a great thing - to inform people about the plight of kids in the U.S. foster care system & to advocate for those that often have no voice.
Looked at on that level, it succeeds. It would be hard to read this book and not feel sympathy for kids like Ashley who get passed around from "home" to "home," never knowing how long they'll stay, how they'll be treated, or if they'll ever see their birth parents again. It should be impossible not to get angry when the people charged with protecting children fail to follow up on abuse reports over and over again. It could inspire more people to volunteer as CASA/GALs or to become foster parents, which could only be a good thing.
But overall, this is only one girl's memoir, with all the biases and knowledge gaps that suggests, so it doesn't exactly show the complexity of the CPS web. Although they are offhandedly mentioned, there's no real discussion of some very real issues: underfunded county departments, the high turnover rate of burned out caseworkers, maddening bureaucracy, and importantly, the fact that kids in the system often have major issues. Ashley mentions that her brother abused one family's dog and she admits trying to drug her adoptive parents by slipping sleeping pills into their drinks, and these types of acting out behaviors are pretty typical of kids in care. I'm not saying these actions are necessarily the fault of the children or unfixable, but it's a harsh reality that the ones who need help the most are usually the ones it's hardest to help, and all the good intentions in the world sometimes aren't enough.
Three Little Words is a good starting point for people interested in child welfare issues, because it humanizes the CPS processes and has a happy ending, but those who want a comprehensive view of the system will have to look elsewhere. Good for teens who like A Child Called It and those dealing with family issues.
Looked at on that level, it succeeds. It would be hard to read this book and not feel sympathy for kids like Ashley who get passed around from "home" to "home," never knowing how long they'll stay, how they'll be treated, or if they'll ever see their birth parents again. It should be impossible not to get angry when the people charged with protecting children fail to follow up on abuse reports over and over again. It could inspire more people to volunteer as CASA/GALs or to become foster parents, which could only be a good thing.
But overall, this is only one girl's memoir, with all the biases and knowledge gaps that suggests, so it doesn't exactly show the complexity of the CPS web. Although they are offhandedly mentioned, there's no real discussion of some very real issues: underfunded county departments, the high turnover rate of burned out caseworkers, maddening bureaucracy, and importantly, the fact that kids in the system often have major issues. Ashley mentions that her brother abused one family's dog and she admits trying to drug her adoptive parents by slipping sleeping pills into their drinks, and these types of acting out behaviors are pretty typical of kids in care. I'm not saying these actions are necessarily the fault of the children or unfixable, but it's a harsh reality that the ones who need help the most are usually the ones it's hardest to help, and all the good intentions in the world sometimes aren't enough.
Three Little Words is a good starting point for people interested in child welfare issues, because it humanizes the CPS processes and has a happy ending, but those who want a comprehensive view of the system will have to look elsewhere. Good for teens who like A Child Called It and those dealing with family issues.
mdettmann's review against another edition
3.0
A harrowing memoir about a girl in and out of the foster care system, wanting desperately to find a home and be loved, but it took years of abuse before it happened. While the story takes a more uplifting tone after Ashley’s adoption this is still a pretty tough read. You‘ll either be terribly sad or angry or both throughout most of it. Overall I thought it was powerful look at how easily children slip through the cracks of foster care and the long term effects of abuse and trauma. Ashley is a courageous and brave survivor and the only way I could make it through her story was knowing she made it out of the absolutely horrifying placements that no child should ever be put through.
reagkay's review against another edition
4.0
Such a sad story about a broken little girl and a broken biological family. Ashley ends up in the foster system at a young age. This is a memoir of her journey overcoming abuse within the foster system, neglect, and empty promises. Ultimately ending with finding the happiness and love she deserves.
eliana12's review against another edition
5.0
A raw and revealing look into the world of foster care in the United States, specifically in Florida. My heart repeatedly shattered for Ashley. She is so strong and I am so proud that she has reclaimed her story and is fighting to make change in the very world that tried to destroy her for so long! 5 stars! I love this book! I made my mom read it, and she doesn’t read at all. She loved it too! Such a powerful and inspiring voice!
alliereneau's review against another edition
Good book. Makes you feel for all the kids in the foster system. Makes me want to go adopt a bunch of kids (like I don't have enough already:)). Great read!
annebennett1957's review against another edition
4.0
(Entered info about the book on 7/21/21) A very depressing but ultimately a hopeful memoir about a girl's experiences with the foster care system. It was a hard book to read but I have thought about it often in the years since I read it.
deathgamerblade's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
This story was so heartfelt and amazing. I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to hear stories about people who went through the foster care system.