Welcome to my stop on the Lost Child blog tour sponsored by TLC Book Tours! Thanks to TLC for the invitation!
My Thoughts:
Torey Hayden is an educational psychologist who works with children, and this story is about one child she met during her work.
Jessie is nine years old. She’s talented with art, especially drawing. She’s also known to throw tantrums, severe ones, including arson, when she doesn’t get what she wants.
Her parents no longer want custody of her, and the social workers caring for her have difficulty with her behavior. Jessie goes from foster home to foster home until she is finally diagnosed with attachment disorder. It was determined that she never formed a secure bond with an adult, and this is what was causing all her behaviors.
Torey Hayden is asked to help her as a volunteer. Living in Wales now instead of the US, Torey can no longer work in the same capacity with children as she has been trained to do. In just one hour a week spent with Jessie, she is able to connect with her.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and learning more about Jessie. Apparently, Torey Hayden is well known for these types of books, especially from when she worked as a special education teacher, and I am definitely interested in reading more stories from her.
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
About Lost Child
• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks (September 24, 2019)
The first new book from beloved therapist and writer Torey Hayden in almost fifteen years—an inspiring, uplifting tale of a troubled child and the remarkable woman who made a difference.
In a forgotten corner of Wales, a young girl languishes in a home for troubled children. Abandoned by her parents because of her violent streak, Jessie—at the age of ten—is at risk of becoming just another lost soul in the foster system.
Precocious and bold, Jessie is convinced she is possessed by the devil and utterly unprepared for the arrival of therapist Torey Hayden. Armed with patience, compassion, and unconditional love, Hayden begins working with Jessie once a week. But when Jessie makes a stunning accusation against one of Hayden’s colleagues – a man Hayden implicitly trusts – Hayden’s work doubles: now she must not only get to the root of Jessie’s troubles, but also find out if what the girl alleges is true.
A moving, compelling, and inspiring account, Lost Child is a powerful testament once again of Torey Hayden’s extraordinary ability to reach children who many have given up on—and a reminder of how patience and love can ultimately prevail.
Social Media
Please use the hashtag #lostchild and tag @tlcbooktours and @williammorrowbooks.
Purchase Links
HarperCollins | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
About Torey Hayden
Born in Montana, USA, Torey Hayden has spent most of her adult life working with children in distress. Now living in Great Britain, she divides her time between writing and volunteer work with several British charities. Torey is author of numerous internationally best-selling books about her experiences as a special education teacher and therapist. She has also written two novels and two children’s books.
Find her at www.torey-hayden.com and connect with her on Facebook.
Interesting story, Jennifer! Glad you enjoyed learning more about Jessie as well as the author.
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Thanks, Jonetta! ♥️
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Wow great review. I find such stories heart wrenching
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Thanks, Shalini! It was emotional but there was also plenty of hope in the end.
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This sounds interesting and I’m sure the author could bring quite a lot to the book with all her experience.
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Thanks, Jules! She really does offer a unique perspective.
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What a riveting premise – especially from someone who has worked on the front line. Thank you for sharing, Jennifer:))
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I agree, Sarah, and it’s definitely my pleasure!
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Pretty picture, wonderful review and blog tour, Jennifer! I added this memoir to my TBR list. Happy Weekend!🌹💐❤️📚🌷😘❤️
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Thanks so much, Virginia! I hope you have a great weekend, too! ♥️
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I can’t get past the part where her parents don’t want custody of her. How horrifying!
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It’s so sad, Tammy! Just abhorrent!
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I read a lot of her books a number of years ago – they are pretty sad! I had to stop when I had children of my own
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It was a tough read, Clair. I can definitely understand. Luckily she has hope sprinkled in too.
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Ugh!! I make your picture bigger and I still can’t read most of the titles in your shelves!!😂😂Wonderful review Jen! I want to check this one out! Have a Happy Friday my friend!💗
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Thanks so much, Sus! That is the portrait mode’s fault. I should post one unblurred for you! I really should rearrange them for size better! ♥️
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The book sounds interesting but also sad. I’ll have to look into this author. Thanks for the beautiful post, Jen. 🧡❤💛
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Thanks, M! I was sad but also had some hope in the end because of the connection they made.
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Nine years old? That’s horrible! I can’t imagine giving up on my child that way, no matter what.
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It’s so sad, Jacquie. They never took the time to bond with her in any way which only made her problems more challenging than they every should have been.
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I usually found that the parents had had rotten childhoods themselves and had never learned how to parent. I hope the author got the child’s informed permission and that of her legal guardians to use her to make money out of. I’d also like to know if she stays in touch with the child in the long term, or if she now simply moves on to her next subject. Haha – my apologies for the soap-box moment – it comes from having spent time working with damaged children, and not liking to see them exploited for commercial gain. But I shouldn’t be so cynical – maybe the author will stay close to the child till the child no longer needs her… 😂
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I’m fascinated with attachment disorder, I saw a show about this years ago and it was my first time learning about it. Books like these are so hard to read sometimes but I also think they are important because maybe it’s not just a “bad kid” we encounter, it might be something really serious that we need to be understanding of. Thank you for being on this tour. Sara @ TLC Book Tours
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So very sad and it’s seems to becoming worse for so many of these children. I have to wonder why there are so many children being born with so many disorders and the rate of autism is appalling.
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Special education teachers are full of heart! I bet this novel will touch many! Great review, Jennifer!
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Didn’t know she has another book out. I recently picked up Beautiful Child on bookoutlet but haven’t read it yet. I’ll add this one to my list too
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Excellent review! Sounds very emotional. I hope to check it out too.
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This sounds super interesting – I’ve never heard of attachment disorder so I’m intrigued to see how the author describes and depicts this in the story. I feel like this is a tale where you walk away feeling like you really learned something and feel it in the heart! 💜
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Absolutely, LP. It’s definitely powerful and emotional!
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Oh wow, this one sounds great!!
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Wonderful review Jennifer. I enjoy this type of story, especially having been an educator. I have one of her books on my bookshelf “Ghost Girl”, I really need to read it.
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