Is It My Fault Mummy?

Author: Maggie Hartley
Publisher: Seven Dials
ISBN: 9781409195801
Category : Abused children
Languages : en
Pages : 256

Book Description
Foster carer Maggie Hartley is used to receiving placements at short notice, but the arrival of seven-year-old Paris sees her handling one of her most heart-breaking cases yet. Paris arrives at Maggie's house with the police, after the traumatised little girl is found wandering the streets alone, sobbing that she can't wake up her baby brother. When the police eventually discover where Paris lives, they make a shocking discovery: her mum and stepdad are in a heroin-induced coma, and it's too late to save five-month-old baby Joel. Paris is convinced it's all her fault but slowly, through love and care, she begins to open up to Maggie and reveals the horrendous neglect and abuse she and her brother endured. Maggie is stunned to discover that Paris knows exactly how to make a bottle and change a nappy, and it soon becomes clear that this little girl was forced to shoulder the responsibility of looking after her baby brother singlehandedly. With both parents on remand in prison and charged with neglect, Maggie must slowly try to break down the wall of guilt surrounding this damaged little girl and help her heal from the trauma of her brother's death.

Is It My Fault, Mummy?

Author: Maggie Hartley
Publisher: Trapeze
ISBN: 1409177114
Category : Family & Relationships
Languages : en
Pages : 84

Not To Blame - Maggie Hartley ebook short

Author: Maggie Hartley
Publisher: Seven Dials
ISBN: 1841884138
Category : Family & Relationships
Languages : en
Pages : 156

Book Description
A new short story from the nation's favourite foster carer. Sixteen-year-old Rebecca has been in care all her life, bouncing from foster carers and children's homes without ever having a permanent home to call her own. Social Services are at a loss as to what to do with the troubled teenager. Prone to violent outbursts and sudden, uncontrollable tantrums, Rebecca has never spent more than a few months in any one placement. When she comes to live with foster carer Maggie Hartley, it seems like there is little hope of Rebecca ever finding a long-term home. Her strange behaviour and sudden flashes of anger present challenges unlike any Maggie has ever seen before. But when a secret from Rebecca's past finally comes to light, it seems that Maggie has finally found the root of this vulnerable girl's out-of-control behaviour. Can Maggie help Rebecca come to terms with her past and realise she's not to blame?

The Little Ghost Girl

Author: Maggie Hartley
Publisher: Trapeze
ISBN: 140916540X
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 211

Book Description
Ruth was a ghost of a girl when she arrived into foster mother Maggie Hartley's care. Pale, frail and withdrawn, it was clear to Maggie that Ruth had seen and experienced things that no 11-year-old should have to, that she's been conditioned to 'see no evil, speak no evil'. Ruth is in desperate need of help, but can Maggie get through to her and unlock the harrowing secret she carries? Through love, reassurance and patience, Maggie starts to unravel Ruth's painful past - a past defined by cruelty and abuse by the very people who should have protected her. Raised by a cruel stepmother and her father after her own mum abandoned her, Ruth was abused, underfed and ignored, while her half-siblings lived a life of luxury. It's up to Maggie to help Ruth find her voice; to be a ghost no more, and bring those who've harmed her to justice. A true story of hope from Sunday Times bestselling author Maggie Hartley, a foster carer for over 20 years. *The Little Ghost Girl was originally published in 2016* 'Captivated from beginning to end' 5* Amazon reader review

Call Me Mummy

Author: Tina Baker
Publisher: Serpent's Tail
ISBN: 1782837035
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 339

Book Description
'Dark, heartbreaking and totally absorbing' - LORRAINE KELLY 'Brilliantly written and emotionally compulsive' - HARRIET TYCE 'A powerful and thought-provoking page turner' - KATERINA DIAMOND CALL ME MUMMY. IT'LL BE BETTER IF YOU DO. Glamorous, beautiful Mummy has everything a woman could want. Except for a daughter of her very own. So when she sees Kim - heavily pregnant, glued to her phone and ignoring her eldest child in a busy shop - she does what anyone would do. She takes her. But foul-mouthed little Tonya is not the daughter that Mummy was hoping for. As Tonya fiercely resists Mummy's attempts to make her into the perfect child, Kim is demonised by the media as a 'scummy mummy', who deserves to have her other children taken too. Haunted by memories of her own childhood and refusing to play by the media's rules, Kim begins to spiral, turning on those who love her. Though they are worlds apart, Mummy and Kim have more in common than they could possibly imagine. But it is five-year-old Tonya who is caught in the middle... ________________________________________ *** A NETGALLEY BOOK OF THE MONTH *** 'Disturbing and distinctive, this is a book I couldn't put down' - AMANDA JENNINGS 'Tense and gripping, these characters will stay with me' - ALICE CLARK-PLATTS 'Psychologically twisty and utterly gripping' - LISA HALL

I'm Glad You Didn't Die Mummy

Author: Tracey Okines
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 150

Book Description
This is a real-life story about a young woman who awoke one day to find, through no fault of her own, that her life had changed dramatically. Tracey was a young working mum. Now she has Locked-in Syndrome and this book is about how it changed her life. Tracey spelt out what she wanted to say using her eyes and a letter board. Other people typed it up, but these are Tracey's words and this is Tracey's story. Tracey tells of her experiences in hospitals and care homes and of various medical treatments, having to make profound adjustments to being disabled and unable to move or speak, but also having to find new ways of relating to her young daughter, to her parents and to her friends. This is a rare story because the challenges of living with Locked-in Syndrome are profound and are unique to each individual. Tracey's is a story of one woman's courage that will move readers and, at times, will provide insight for those who work with and care for people with severe disabilities.

A Desperate Cry for Help

Author: Maggie Hartley
Publisher: Trapeze
ISBN: 1409188981
Category : Family & Relationships
Languages : en
Pages : 79

Book Description
Twelve-year-old Meg arrives at Maggie's after a fire destroys the children's home she's been living in. Terrified and having lost most of her possessions, Maggie must work hard to make the vulnerable young girl feel at home. But traumatised by the fire, and angry and vulnerable, having been put into care by her mother, Meg is lashing out at everyone around her. Can Maggie reach this damaged little girl before it's too late? And before Meg's destructive behaviour puts Maggie's life - and the lives of the other children in her care - at risk? A true story of hope from Sunday Times bestselling author Maggie Hartley, a foster carer for over 20 years. 'Tore at my heart strings' 5* Amazon reader review

Where's My Mummy?

Author: Colin Hawkins
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780744568448
Category : Children's stories
Languages : en
Pages : 28

Book Description
Part of the Bear Hugs series, this text has a bright and bold design to appeal to young children and includes notes for parents giving friendly advice about shared reading.

The Girl No One Wanted

Author: Maggie Hartley
Publisher: Trapeze
ISBN: 1409177041
Category : Family & Relationships
Languages : en
Pages : 93

Book Description
Eleven-year-old Leanne is out of control. Since being taken into care at the age of three, she has had over forty placements, each carer less able to cope with her anger and destruction than the last. Late one night, foster carer Maggie Hartley receives a terrified call from Leanne's current placement, who has barricaded herself in her bathroom to protect herself from Leanne's rage. With the police on standby, Maggie manages to diffuse the situation but Leanne is left without a home once more. Maggie is Leanne's only hope. But this is her last chance. If this placement fails, she will have to be put in a secure unit. Then Leanne threatens Maggie with a knife and makes accusations against her that have to be investigated by Maggie's superiors. Where most others would simply walk away, Maggie refuses to give up on the little girl who's never known love. Can Maggie get through to Leanne and begin to help her heal? Will the girl no one wanted find her forever home? A true story of hope from Sunday Times bestselling author Maggie Hartley, a foster carer for over 20 years. 'Pulled at my heart strings' 5* Amazon reader review

Behind Closed Doors

Author: Maggie Hartley
Publisher: Seven Dials
ISBN: 1841884812
Category : Family & Relationships
Languages : en
Pages : 203

Book Description
'It's okay, lovely,' I soothed. 'You let it all out.' She sobbed and sobbed as all the fear came tumbling to the surface. Foster carer Maggie Hartley is finally enjoying a well-earned holiday from fostering, savouring time with her brand new baby granddaughter. One night, though, the peace and quiet is interrupted by an urgent call from Social Services. A man has been stabbed, and Social Services need to find an emergency placement for his little girl. Maggie is used to children arriving on her doorstep at all times of the day and night, but nothing can prepare her for the sight of eleven-year-old Nancy. The little girl arrives in her pyjamas, covered in blood, and mute with shock. With her mother missing and her father in intensive care, the police are desperate for answers. Who stabbed Nancy's father? Where is her mother? And what is Nancy hiding about her seemingly perfect family? The longer Maggie spends with her little girl, the clearer it becomes that all is not as it seems. Can Maggie discover the terrible truth of what's been happening behind closed doors? A true story of hope from Sunday Times bestselling author Maggie Hartley, a foster carer for over 20 years. 'A moving read, very well-written' 5* Amazon reader review