tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1056598678089546521.post5749504000197404474..comments2024-02-05T20:24:35.605+01:00Comments on Malin's Blog of Books: CBR4 Book 14: "The Language of Flowers" by Vanessa DiffenbaughMalinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17343500310968022313noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1056598678089546521.post-10059906078002730792012-05-07T11:32:56.594+02:002012-05-07T11:32:56.594+02:00Vanessa Diffenbaugh has written the book I always ...Vanessa Diffenbaugh has written the book I always wanted to write. Throughout my career as a child welfare professional, I longed to write a book which would put into words the experiences, insights, and feelings I encountered every day. This is that kind of book. It perfectly captures the essence of the foster care experience and it's effects upon children, families, and society, and it speaks in a voice that anyone can hear. Most books on the subject either malign or idealize the system and the people involved, but these characters and situations rang true, with minimal exaggeration. Without jargon, defensiveness, or blame, this book "tells it like it is". And unlike those reviewers who argue about the appropriateness of the ending, I thank the author for the hopeful ending. There ARE those children who make their lives work; all are scarred, but some recover. Would it were all of them, but that won't happen until all of us, in and out of the system, recognize that what we are doing cannot possibly be our best. This should be required reading for policy makers, foster and adoptive parents, caseworkers, other professionals involved in the system, and anyone interested in the future of our children.Belgiehttp://findingselfbelief.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1056598678089546521.post-90162568560589930652012-03-03T20:29:25.894+01:002012-03-03T20:29:25.894+01:00I loved this book and really appreciated how the a...I loved this book and really appreciated how the author didn't fictionalize the emotions and "realness" of being an orphan and adapting to the real world. Nice review!Janelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08291078088994851628noreply@blogger.com