I read several of Torey Hayden's wonderful books before Library Thing started ---how well do I remember them? I'm thinking I need to go back and find her earlier works to catch up. She is so descriptive in her experiences working with children. It takes a very special person to do what she manages to do. ( )

An interesting story of a damaged child. I don't know where Torey found her patience. There were many times that I just wanted to shake this child. I appreciate the way Ms Hayden shows the girl's slow growth and I especially liked the epilogue in this book. Well done. ( )

I dare you not to feel something for Jessie and her story. I was so fascinated by Jessie's story that I read this book in two days. The deeper that I got into Jessie's story; my heart broker for her. However at the same time I was memorized by the big stories that she told Torey.

Jessie's story tugged at my heart. Her story was filled with abuse. She just wanted someone to love her. Torey helped Jessie to find her voice. As Torey shows it the journey is a long one filled with tons of patience, an open mind, care, love, and knowing the ultimate goal is to find a "forever home".

There were times when I was shocked by Jessie's behavior and the stories she told but as I learned more abut her "true" story; I understood better why she acted the way she did. This book is worth your time to read. ( )

This is Torey Hayden's first book in over 15 years. She is a psychologist and a special education teacher and her earlier books dealt with troubled children in a classroom setting. This book is different because Torey is working with a child in Wales as a volunteer due to work issues when she moved from the US to Wales.

This book is about Jessie. She is a 9 year old girl in a group home whose parents don't want her anymore because of the trouble she causes. Jessie lies, steals and starts fires and has been diagnosed as having reactive attachment disorder (RAD). Attachment disorders arise when children are deprived of the all-important close bonds with trustworthy adults that allow them to develop emotionally and thrive. Torey has been asked to spend some time with Jessie every week to try to find out the underlying causes of her behavior. At first, it's very difficult because Jessie lies about everything - she says that she has a brother, she says she won't eat certain foods and her lies go on and on. Torey needs a lot of patience and understanding to try to reach Jessie but she continues to try. The question throughout the book is whether Torey will be able to help Jessie in the limited time that she spends with her each week or will Jessie turn her away like she has everyone else in her past?

This was an interesting emotional book about one person trying to make a difference in someone's life. Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own. ( )