Product Description

From the author of Number One bestseller 'Damaged' comes the poignant and shocking memoir of Cathy's recent relationship with Tayo, a young boy she fosters whose good behaviour and polite manners hide a terrible past. Tayo arrives at Cathy's with only the clothes he stands up in. He has been brought to her by the police, but he is calm, polite, and very well spoken, and not at all like the children she normally fosters. The social worker gives Cathy the forms which should contain Tayo's history, but apart from his name and age, it is blank. Tayo has no past. Tayo is an 'invisible' child, kidnapped from his loving father in Nigeria and brought illegally to the UK by his drink and drugs dependent prostitute mother, where he is put to work in a sweat shop in Central London. When he sustains an injury and is no longer earning, he is cast out. When Cathy takes Tayo to school he points out a dozen different addresses where he has stayed in the last six months, often being left alone. Tayo lies, and manipulates situations to his own advantage and Cathy has to be continually on guard. Tayo's social worker searches all computer databases but there is no record of Tayo -- he has only attended school for 3 terms and has never seen a doctor. He and his mother have been evading the authorities by living 'underground'. With his mother recently released from prison, Tayo is desperate to live with his father in Nigeria, but no one can track him down or even prove that he exists.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7180 in Books
• Published on: 2008-03-03
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 368 pages

Review
'Plays out like a juicy ITV1 drama...at times heartbreaking. But Hidden is also a life -affirming read which proves that, despite the bad press, Social Services do have their successes - and ultimately, sometimes a little hope is all you need.' Heat Reviews for 'Damaged': '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

About the Author
Cathy Glass has been a foster carer for over 20 years, during which time she has looked after more than 50 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. Cathy has three teenage children of her own; one of whom was adopted after a long-term foster placement.

Customer Reviews

Amazing!
I knew this was going to be a good read because I'd already read Cathy Glass's Damaged (in a day, I couldn't put it down). I was right! The story in Hidden tells about another child Cathy fostered. Her style of writing is gripping and the issues she deals with completely engrossing. I won't give the ending away, but I was in tears, just like I was with Damaged. I shall be buying her next book as soon as its out. It's unusual to find a writer this good! I just can't get enough.

If you love books by Torey Hayden, you'll love books by Cathy Glass.
Cathy Glass writes in much the same gripping style as Torey Hayden, allowing you to learn about the child (in this case Tayo), as she does throughout the story. With her fluent story-telling style, it is easy to be swept up in the tale, and read the whole book in one day, hardly pausing for breathe between chapters.

Moreover, this book is not simply a tale of horror and suffering, although, to be sure, there is mention, but rather a moving memoir of her time with Tayo, highs and lows, progress and setbacks.

A well-written and moving read by all accounts.

Hidden
Cathy Glass does not disappoint with her second book.
After reading Damaged, I knew I should finish all chores before opening the first page of Hidden. A wise move, I couldn't put it down.
The story of Tayo, really pulls at the heart strings. We learn of the plight this child has endured over the years before being placed with Cathy, his carer. This little boy shows great strength,but at the same time is in turmoil as to which way his future will go.
A well written book. I look forward to Cathy's next story.