Orphans of the Living: Stories of America's Children in Foster Care
by Jennifer Toth
103 Members (3.56)
On This Page
Description
In the first book of its kind, Toth presents the stories of five kids caught in a system in crisis, and chronicles the complexities of a culture that both liberates and hobbles its dependents. In addition to speaking to social workers, judges, officers, counselors, and psychologists, as well as to the remnants of shattered families who can't or won't raise their own children, Toth goes directly to the kids - capturing their voices and lives with striking clarity and. Poignancy. These show more children were thrust into an overburdened and antiquated machine designed to care for Dickensian orphans, not today's "throwaways," who are abused and neglected, often by substitute parents no more prepared to care for a child than were the biological parents. Following the children, Toth travels to foster care homes, emergency shelters, children's homes, and detention centers. She shares their despair and their triumphs - the midnight phone calls from. Jails, hospitals, and strip joints; the celebrations of straight-A report cards, graduations, and Congressional honors - as the children demonstrate their humor, hope, and resilience in trying to overcome their society's failure. show lessTags
Recommendations
Member Recommendations
Member Reviews
Members
- Recently Added By
Author Information
4 Works 1,013 Members
Jennifer Toth graduated from Washington University in St. Louis and went on to receive a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University. She has written pieces for the Atlantic Monthly, The Washington Post, the International Herald Tribune, and Business Week, and she is the author of The Mole People and Orphans of the Living. She lives in show more Maryland show less
Common Knowledge
- Important places
- USA
- Original language
- English
Classifications
- Genre
- Nonfiction
- DDC/MDS
- 362.73 — Society, government, & culture Social problems and social services Social Welfare Child welfare Adoption
- LCC
- HV881 .T67 — Social sciences Social pathology. Social and public welfare. Criminology Social pathology. Social and public welfare. Protection, assistance and relief Special classes Children Destitute, neglected, and abandoned
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 103
- Popularity
- 312,878
- Rating
- (3.56)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper
- ISBNs
- 3
