Books for Foster Parents and Foster Children

More than 748,000 children and families are affected by foster care each year. Consider these titles and the implications for families welcoming a hurt or neglected child into their midst. For more information, visit the National Foster Care Coalition at www.NationalFosterCare.org or the National Voice of Foster Parents at www.NFPAInc.org.

Finding the Right Spot by Janice Levy, illus. by Whitney Martin (American Psychological Association). The honest emotions of having to live away from your family unfold in this little book. A little girl cannot live with her mother, who drinks too much and can’t hold down a job. So she lives with a foster parent named “Aunt Dane,” who doesn’t try to replace her mom, but gives her a safe and loving home. Readers are allowed to share in the thoughts and worries of this little girl, bravely waiting until she can return home. An informative “Note to Caregivers” is included. (6 and up)

Success as a Foster Parent: Everything You Need to Know About Foster Care by the National Foster Parent Association and Rachel Greene Baldino (Alpha). This book is the “What to Expect When You Are Expecting” primer for foster parents! Baldino successfully outlines the process of becoming a foster parent in detail, helping parents answer personal questions, navigate social services agencies, understand the financial implications and much more. Specific sections are dedicated to three different stages of childhood: infancy, school-age and teenagers.

Fostergirls by Liane Shaw (Second Story Press). This story follows the life of 15-year-old Sadie, who has lived through 12 placements. Sadie’s uncertainty and loneliness, as well as the protective barriers she builds, reflect the well-intentioned but gritty truth of the foster care system. Another student, Rhiannon, lonely as well, befriends her and offers her the things she most wants - - roots, a welcoming home and loving parents. The simple and profound need for getting help with her homework reminds her not to get too attached to this safe place. An edgy yet ultimately hopeful tale. (12 and up)

Another Place at the Table by Kathy Harrison (Tarcher). The story of three children who enter the lives of Kathy and Bruce Harrison illustrates the chronic problems facing foster children today. This is a report from the trenches – Harrison accepts emergency care “hot-line” kids in extreme circumstances. The “at-home” parent duties are enormous and include meetings with lawyers, social services, therapists, physicians and birth families. All for $15 a day. A difficult but realistic read for those considering fostering.

The Camellia Network, www.CamelliaNetwork.org. This website focuses on the 20,000 youth who age out of the foster care system. These kids are forced out of the system on their 18th birthdays, most with nowhere to go. Twenty-five percent become homeless within their first year. The network uses the internet, social media and community building and provides mentoring opportunities for encouraging these young people as they transition to adulthood. (18 and up)

The No-Nonsense Guide to Foster Parenting by Barbara Hughes (Wasteland Press). With 20 years of foster parenting experience, Hughes draws on her vast experience to provide advice on the most common problems of fostering. Readers will learn skills for parenting in “a calm and respectful manner… enabling your foster children to be calmer and more focused so that they may grow and thrive.” Sounds like advice for any parent!

One Simple Wish (www.OneSimpleWish.org) “The most wonderful thing about miracles is that they sometimes happen.” This quote by G.K. Chesterton highlights the mission of this New Jersey-based organization, which is to connect people who want to help children with children in need. Given a 5-star rating from the “Great Nonprofits” website, One Simple Wish provides a variety of services, such as wish granting, Safe Night Out, Project Prom and ArtSpark. Sponsor a wish or a care kit and help support the war against child abuse.

Some of Julie Hubble’s favorite people are foster parents near Leawood.