Children in foster care are often disoriented with the thought of being away from their natural families and they become totally perplexed with the notion of being cared for by strangers. Such traumatic stressors can cause children in foster care to lose focus and their ability to fully concentrate on the demands of school.
Marian Wright Edelman’s article, The Invisible Achievement Gap: Students in Foster Care, addresses the academic concerns of children in foster care. She says, “We must not let any of our children remain invisible or go without the help they need to receive a quality education.”
I believe if children read about what they live, not only will they gain a sense of direction and a level of comfort, it will begin to stimulate the joy of reading, and thus, increase reading abilities.
Below are a few books I have discovered in my reading life.
The Road to Paris by Nikki Grimes
Printed, January 1, 2008 Juvenile Fiction - 153 pages
Paris has just moved in with the Lincoln family, and she isn’t thrilled to be in yet another foster home. She has a tough time trusting people, and she misses her brother, who has been sent to a boy’s home. Over time, the Lincolns grow on Paris. But no matter how hard she tries to fit in, she cannot ignore the feeling that she never will, especially in a town that is mostly white while she is half black. It isn’t long before Paris has a big decision to make about where she truly belongs.
Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff
Paw Prints, May 22, 2008 - Juvenile Fiction - 176 pages
After finding the perfect home with Josie, an elderly but forgetful artist, foster child Hollis Woods thinks she has finally found a stable place to hang her hat, but when Social Services decides that Josie may be better off in a home, Hollis won't let her dear friend get wrapped up in the system she despises.
The Pinballs by Betsy Byars
HarperCollins, Sep 25, 1992 - Juvenile Fiction - 144 pages
Stuck in a foster home with two other kids, Harvey and Thomas J, Carlie is just a pinball being bounced from bumper to bumper. As soon as you get settled, somebody puts another coin in the machine and off you go again. But against her will and her better judgment, Carlie and the boys become friends. And all three of them start to see that they can take control of their own lives.
Stay tuned for ongoing titles.
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