British foster parent Cathy Glass tells the shocking story of Zeena, a clearly petrified 14 -year-old Bangladeshi girl who comes to live with her in foster care. Zeena gradually settles into her foster home, but misses her little brothers and sisters terribly. Prevented from having any contact with them by her birth family who insist she has brought shame and dishonour on the whole Bangladeshi community, Zeena tries to see them at school. But when her father and uncle find out, they bundle her into a car and threaten to set fire to her if she makes anymore trouble. Zeena is too frightened to press charges against them despite being offered police protection in a safe house. Eventually, Cathy discovers the devastating truth from Zeena, and realizes there is little she can do to protect her.
Cathy Glass
Cathy Glass is a British author and foster carer known for her memoirs and novels focusing on the experiences of children in the foster care system. Her writing style is characterized by its raw honesty and emotional depth, drawing readers into the lives of the children she has cared for.
Glass's most notable works include "Damaged," "Cut," and "The Saddest Girl in the World," which have all been bestsellers and have received critical acclaim for shedding light on the often overlooked issues faced by children in foster care. Her works have had a significant impact on the literary genre of memoirs and have helped raise awareness about the challenges faced by children in care.
One of Glass's most famous works is "Damaged," which tells the story of a young girl named Jodie who suffered severe neglect and abuse before being placed in Glass's care. The book poignantly captures the resilience and strength of the human spirit, while also highlighting the importance of providing love and support to vulnerable children. Through her writing, Glass has made a lasting contribution to literature by giving a voice to those who are often silenced and marginalized in society.