Ward of the State: A Memoir Of Foster Care

by Karlos Dillard, Brooke-Sidney Harbour (Editor)

Overview

"Ward of the State: A Memoir of Foster Care," tells what happened to a little black boy from the inner city of Detroit. This is the story of Karlos Dillard, severely neglected by his mother who often left him and his siblings at home alone for weeks to fend for themselves. Enduring severe neglect and abuse, the boy was removed by the State of Michigan and put into foster care. Karlos was removed from his mother's care just to end up in foster homes that treated him worse. The book is an emotional rollercoaster. Every time Karlos describes the pain he is feeling you will feel the same pain. Whether it be hunger, anger, or being sexually violated. Karlos' use of words makes sure that you aren't just reading the book, you are actually engaged. What is most enticing are the small victories experienced in the story because they give you a break from the horrors of some of the foster homes. Karlos was told he was not loved, he was not wanted and he was nothing but a ward of the State. Karlos had nothing left to look forward to and that almost ended his life, but his hope to find a family that loved him kept him alive.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781543999037
Publisher:	BookBaby
Publication date:	01/15/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	148
File size:	868 KB

About the Author

Most known for his appearances on Cut.com a viral Youtube Production company based out of Seattle, Karlos has made a name for himself making people laugh while addressing social issues. Using his large social media platforms, Karlos has brought attention to Black gun ownership and police brutality. He is a Commerical Actor and Model working with the nation's top photographers like National Geographic Photographer Art Wolfe. He has also appeared in commercials for companies such as Microsoft, Amazon and Mercedes Benz. Karlos has also advocated for other foster children currently in the system, doing public speaking engagements like Seattle Ignite 40 with his talk "Friend of a Foster Child".Karlos resides in Seattle Wa with his husband and their two dogs. He has dedicated his life to shading light onto dark spaces in society and to be a voice for those that haven't found theirs.Brooke-Sidney's love for books and writing began when she was only 4 years old. A young reader, she was often found curled up with a book. Books were her friends and she would spend days and nights reading, even using a flashlight to read a book during bedtime. She spent over ten years in the marketing and media industry working her way up from a National Executive Trainee Associate to an Advertising Sales Representative to a Marketing Associate turned Marketing Manager to an Advertising Manager to an Interactive Media Director. Each position bringing additional skills, expertise, management, and responsibility. When Brooke-Sidney is not helping authors change the world with their powerful stories, you can find her hanging out with her favorite little guy (her son), doing yoga, relaxing at the beach, or teaching mindfulness meditation.

Table of Contents

1 Where is Mom? 1

2 Devil's Spawn 6

3 First Night in Foster Care 10

4 Child Haven, Not Heaven 15

5 Beasts or Beasleys 19

6 Down by the Lake 24

7 The Fight That Changed My Life 27

8 Straitjackets and Soft Rooms 32

9 Into the Woods 36

10 Crushing on Cody 39

11 Heading to the Funeral 41

12 Thankful for a Break 44

13 Toys, Truth and a Tall Story 49

14 Punked by a Punk 55

15 Return to the Woods 61

16 Black Booger Burger 70

17 Short Bus & The Quiet Room 75

18 Too many Homes to Count 82

19 Daddy Wasn't There 87

20 Momma Comes Back 96

21 Same Street, Different Shit 104

22 Surprise Goodbye Visit 112

23 Trick Bikes, Abuse and Peg Legs 114

24 Millers, Pizza, & Pumping 116

25 Forever waiting for a Forever Home 122

26 Lies and the Law 124

27 Forever Family 129

28 The Best Christmas Wish Granted 132