Mary Rose McGeady (1928–2012)

They are like shadows in our cities, small outlines of skin and bones that attach themselves to abandoned buildings, park benches, narrow alleyways. And when darkness falls, these shadows disappear into places many of us will never, ever see in this lifetime. Very few people know the faces of these shadows, or their names. They are America's untouchables and unreachables--America's street children.
Who exactly are these kids? How do they end up on our streets? Where do they come from? How do show more they manage to survive? Do they survive? This is their incredible story, told from the front lines on America's darkest streets. Uncut. Unedited. Close to unbelievable. And every single word is true. show less

I discovered this book while I was at work, and I got caught up in reading it in over a couple of days in my spare time. It's a quick read, and gives a really good insight into all the horrible things that happen to kids when they're on the street. The first part of the book seems to be a collection of letters from Sister McGeady to donors and those invested in Covenant House in some way. Each chapter tells a different homeless child's story, and they're all heartbreaking. While it does show more state that these are letters, it still came off as a bit unusual to me when McGeady suddenly addresses the reader at times. Throughout the book there are also little poems and prayers written by children who stayed at Covenant House.

Since it's written by a nun with "God" in the title, I probably don't have to say that it's written from the perspective of a christian, but I wouldn't let that be a deterrent if you aren't christian; I still think the stories are worth reading. show less

Very short stories about kids that have come into Covenant House. It's written in "diary" form; as if the kids the author is talking about just arrived on her front steps that day or she's remembering children that have come through Covenant House. Every chapter ends with a request that you pray for this woman's, this Sister's, children -- and as every one of these children has been abandoned by family, through neglect or abuse, this woman, this Sister, is their only "mother".

Adrianne

Powerful stories from these abused children tell of Covenant House rescue attempts. Homeless, abused, sex-trafficked children pull at your heart as you read these stories. Some excellent pages at the end give suggestions as to how best to raise your children.