Product Description

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. A number 1 Sunday Times Bestseller. 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 Unfortunately Jodie becomes increasingly withdrawn, and it's clear she needs psychiatric therapy.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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4920 in Books
• Published on: 2007-08-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

Review
'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

Adoption-net
'Cannot fail to move those who read it.'

From the Back Cover
A deeply moving story of how one foster carer's profound
patience and love unlocked a little girl's darkest, most painful secrets

Customer Reviews

Heart Breaking
This book is not for the feint hearted; it broke my heart, poor poor Jodie. This child has suffered at the hands of monsters. Cathy is a saint, she went above and beyond the realms of a foster carer. She is truly and angel sent to care for "damaged" children. This book is adictive for all the wrong reasons; the things this child has suffered is beyond comprehension. This is an increadiby good book but only read it if you feel strong enough too; I feel this book could evoke strong memories for people who have been in a similar situation as Jodie. It makes me appreciate everything I am and greatful that I was brought up in a kind loving family. A very very good read but shocking and heart breaking.

What a Sad but Wonderful Read
There are a lot of books out there that tell the story of how children are wrongly abused and I have read the reviews on these books. In each different review I read how it made that particular person cry but yet I never did. However when reading Damaged there was a number of occasions when I couldn't stop myself from crying. I read this book in just under three days as I'm sure most people do when they read it. Cathy writes in a way that you feel as if your there with Jodie when she finally opens up about something that happened to her. You feel as if your there calming Jodie down after one of her heartbreaking fits.
Unlike other authors Cathy tells you about Jodie's progress as she grows up and its in that last chapter that I cried the most. If ever I was to be inspired to become a foster carer then this book would be my inspiration!

heartbreaking read
Beautifully written book about fostering a VERY challenging child. Cathy Glass comes across as a very caring and remarkable women who was willing to take on a child that others had written off.

As the child called Jodie reveals the true extent of her abuse to her foster carer Cathy, it is truly a disturbing read and thank god Cathy stuck by Jodie and supported her in a positive way unlike her Social Worker who is heavily criticised.

Unfortunately the happy ending the reader will wish for Jodie does not materialise and the end of the book is heartbreaking.

Well done to Cathy for bringing Jodie's case to the public eye. It only takes one person like Cathy to make a difference to an abused child's life.

HEARTBREAKING BUT A MUST READ