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149 reviews for:
Etched in Sand: A True Story of Five Siblings Who Survived an Unspeakable Childhood on Long Island
Regina Calcaterra
4.21 AVERAGE
149 reviews for:
Etched in Sand: A True Story of Five Siblings Who Survived an Unspeakable Childhood on Long Island
Regina Calcaterra
4.21 AVERAGE
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
Pretty good, a fast read. Hard to read some of the stories, but nice to see how the family stuck together.
From the first sentence, I was hooked. The author does a great job of making real the conflicts, struggles, emotions, and barriers that children of the system and children of the mentally ill face. As the older siblings get out of the situation at their first possible (but often most ill-advised) opportunity, the parentification gets passed down the line.
Although I got a little defensive about the author's criticism of the system, I hope that it was the mistakes of the past that compel improvements for the future.
I couldn't put the book down, and when it was over, I felt like I was leaving the company of friends.
Although I got a little defensive about the author's criticism of the system, I hope that it was the mistakes of the past that compel improvements for the future.
I couldn't put the book down, and when it was over, I felt like I was leaving the company of friends.
Eye Opening Memoir
An eye opening memoir about the realities of social services and foster children. A fast paced read. Brutal at times but also informative about what still needs to change.
An eye opening memoir about the realities of social services and foster children. A fast paced read. Brutal at times but also informative about what still needs to change.
This is a true story of a girl and her sisters and brother growing up with a negligent, abusive mother. The family moves to many places in Suffolk County and learn to survive without the love and care of their mother.
This was a heartbreaking yet incredible read. Calcaterra's childhood makes mine seem like a walk in the park, but she writes with such courage, determination, and honesty that I couldn't put it down. I'd encourage other readers to tread carefully, as there are many descriptions of violent physical, sexual, and mental abuse. Listening to Regina stand up to her mother and fight for her younger siblings was empowering in a world where children are so overlooked.
Everyone should read this book. We are the only ones that can change the world for these tens of thousands of kids. No one should grow up in fear of their safety. More success stories should be told. I commend Regina and her family for telling this story.
Book 101
First sentence: I hadn't seen New York City this still since 9/11.
A memoir about a family of five kids growing up with a mother who is an alcoholic that moved them from one disastrous place to another and would disappear for months at a time. It was a quick, sad read, but not meritorious of a recommendation.
First sentence: I hadn't seen New York City this still since 9/11.
A memoir about a family of five kids growing up with a mother who is an alcoholic that moved them from one disastrous place to another and would disappear for months at a time. It was a quick, sad read, but not meritorious of a recommendation.
I finished this book a few weeks ago and I still think of the story. This woman and her siblings were amazing in their ability to survive and become respectable adults. I wish there had been some indication of what the average person in a community could do to assist kids in this situation. Are there any agencies that do effectively bring assistance to children like these?
This was a wonderful book on resilience and not letting a challenging childhood prevent you from healing and gaining a relationship back with ones you love. For some of us, reconciliation will never be possible but it does the heart good to read about a group of siblings who were separated and then put in the work to stay a family.
The authors dogged determination to help her sister and being blocked at every point is all too common. I am glad she was able to give her sister the time to come around is very admirable and the authors success in life is an inspiration to many I'm sure.
Great book
The authors dogged determination to help her sister and being blocked at every point is all too common. I am glad she was able to give her sister the time to come around is very admirable and the authors success in life is an inspiration to many I'm sure.
Great book