Survival of the Fittest was once entitled Foster Care People. The name of the novel changed once Neshee Publication became my publishers. The basic manuscript hasn't changed and the reviews are from the that manuscript. Foster Care People was the book's previous title. I am pleased with Neshee's suggestion that the title change. I agree the story is about a child's survival which is most important. Yet, the reviews from the following people are important. Simply because they championed my book from it's inception in 2000. These reviewers read my book when it was an on line publication. I gratefully acknowledge their views of my work on this page.
Read!, April 19, 2006
Reviewer: armchairinterviews.com (Minnesota) - See all my reviews.
Lauretta Ali's book is about one child trying to survive the foster care system. Lenora and her brother Harry Jr. are being raised in a loving home with two parents, when one mistake splits the family apart. The children try to cope with their mother's depression, alcohol abuse and a dysfunctional family. When the mother decides she needs time to get herself together, they are passed on to their father and his new wife. This situation presents a different type of struggle: ultimately the children are placed in the foster care system. Lenora and Harry Jr. are passed through one house to another, facing physical abuse, sexual abuse and separation from each other.
The book introduces us to these families and the other children in their care while opening our eyes to the foster care system. This is a sometimes heartbreaking book, but yet it is so riveting you cannot put it down.
Armchair says: Survival Of The Fittest is the story of one woman's triumph over the circumstances that life has handed her, making Lenora's story one you cannot forget.
Description: Riveting
For just a minute, imagine the iron branding of human flesh. The putrid smell of skin burning follows the grotesque exposure of tendons and veins. Soon, the wounds heal, the scars fade, and the physical pain vanishes. But, what if this happened to the same person, over and over again, just in different spots on their body? Would you dare to look at the disfigurement?
"Foster Care People" depicts the invisible iron branding of the human soul. Written from a child's point of view, the book starts quite innocently. We witness a happy family, two parents with a son and a daughter. Even the best of homes expect a few trials now and then. Yet the events surrounding a kitchen fire smolder the lives of each family member for the next several years. Lenora Williams, the daughter and main character, attempts to warn us of the impending danger. That's because the red-hot irons of abuse try to sear into your consciousness, which could burn the bridges to your spirit, and leave you numb for a while. I prayed the story only came from the author's vivid imagination.
Lauretta Ali's descriptions through the eyes of a child are riveting. Through Lenora, she calmly reminds us that children are people too, not punching bags or sex toys. I felt as if I stood in a corner of the bedroom with my arms bound, and my mouth taped shut, while the second foster father visited her at night. Although the skin quickly conceals the outer evidence, time creeps to erase the psychological effects. I recommend "Foster Care People" to anyone who raises a child, whether for a day, two years or a lifetime.
FOSTER CARE PEOPLE by talented author Lauretta Ali is about a little girl who grew up in a foster care. It tells how her life started out in the system, and how it failed her and her brother instead of giving them the same advantages as they would for white children in the system. Continuous abuse worsens as the child grows, and at the same time, strengthening her to be the woman she grows up to be. Not only does the reader follow the young girl through daily routines, it goes much deeper than that, readers will learn how just delicate our little ones are.
This reviewer thoroughly enjoyed reading about this young girl?€”even though it was terribly heart-wrenching at times?€”however, the need to find out what happens to her is powerful as the read pages flew past my fingertips.
This book is perfect for young adults. It is would be a great read for children who are going through some or all of the same things that the young character in the book is going through.
FOSTER CARE PEOPLE should be in all libraries?€”public, at school, and at home. It would also be wonderful as required reading, or suggested reading for those in school training to become a psychologist, psychiatrist, or sociologist.
Give a child this wonderful gift so they may read about the emotional, self-growth, and heart-felt tale of this little determined girl. They will remember it forever!
Foster Care People is a true story about the author?€™s life as a young girl in the foster care system. It is sometimes shocking, appalling, saddening, and joyful. It is a story that needs to be told, and a story that needs to be read. Lenora and her brother, Harold Jr., are happy children living with their parents in New York City during the 1950?€™s. Her mother, Maggie, and her father, Harold, Sr. love each other and dote on their children. But when her father is discovered having an affair with one of her mother?€™s friends, it destroys the family. Her mother takes Lenora and her brother to live with her grandmother, where they are ridiculed and teased for the circumstances that brought them there. Maggie begins drinking heavily, and after a serious fight with her sister, Maggie takes the children to their father. He takes them in, but they are not well accepted by his new wife, and he chooses his wife over his children and places them in the foster care system.
What follows is a heart-rending tale of the horrors that can happen to children in this system, and the horrors that did happen to this little girl. As she and her brother go from foster home to foster home, they endure things that no one should have to endure. They are abused, beaten, neglected, and discriminated against. They are also genuinely loved and cared for by two wonderful foster families, but are not allowed to stay because of that love.
Foster Care People is not an easy read, nor could one call it a "good" read. It isn?€™t meant to be. It is definitely a "must read" story.
Copyright © 2002 by Kathy Hill, Sharp Writer Reviews*****
ORDER YOUR COPY AT: http://www.amazon.com
OR: http://actinglauretta.tripod.com
Hey Love, it's been awhile since we got into contact with one another.
I'm stopping by to show you all the love in the world along with
bringing you peace & happiness. I want you to know that adding me,
showing me love, and supporting me all has really meant a lot to me and
I appreciate it sooo much! I want to be able to stay in contact, who
knows maybe we can one day become best of friends! I hope you enjoyed
and loved all the music I have on my page and will continue to enjoy
and love all the music I come up with forever. I bring a unique style
to this world and to the game. My aim is to make positive change,
inspire, motivate, and spread the peace, love, & happiness to
anyone and everyone in this world. I believe we can really make change
happen if one by one we begin by changing the actions we take in the 24
hours of being you & me haha. Well anyways love, check out the
music and let me know what you think, like it OR LOVE IT!? Stay in
contact because strangers to me pose no danger when approached with
nothing but love! So from the bottom of my heart I love you and will
continue to love you! Thank you for being the biggest part of my life,
and thank you for everything you have done and will continue to do! One
Love, One World, One People, One God...
GOOD MORNING...I HAVEN'T BEEN ON HERE AS MUCH BUT WANTED TO SHARE A WONDERFUL MESSAGE.
YOUR LIFE IS A REFLECTION OF YOU. EVERYTHING THAT IS COMING AT YOU FROM OUT THERE IS COMING TO SHOW YOU WHERE WORK IS REQUIRED ON YOURSELF. IT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR ROLE IN THE ANNOYING LITTLE MESSES & DISASTERS IN OUR LIVES. WE HAVE TO EXAMINE OUR SITUATIONS WHICH WE ARE NOT PLEASED & PUT YOURSELF IN THE CENTER, ACCEPT FULL SHARE OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL THINGS THAT MAY BE SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL. LIFE IS A PROCESS OF WHAT YOU HAVE & TURNING INTO SOMETHING WORTHWHILE.
I truly agree. God works in amazing ways. I would love to audition for you & your director. Just keep me posted. So you are not going to in ChurchFolks? I hope that's not what I'm reading. Keep in touch anyhow. Peace & Blessings.
GOOD MORNING LAURETTA...I AM SO GLAD YOU APPLIED MY MESSAGE TO YOUR SITUATION. SOMETIMES GOD REMOVES YOU FROM CERTAIN ELEMENTS TO OPEN UP A NEW DOOR FOR YOU. I TRULY WISH YOU WELL WITH THE NEW MOVIE YOU ARE STARRING IN. ALWAYS TAKE & RECEIVE YOUR BLESSINGS WHICHEVER WAY THEY MAY COME. THANK YOU FOR BEING IN MY LIFE. I CHERISH OUR FRIENDSHIP.
ALSO..THANK YOU FOR MY BIRTHDAY WISHES. I WILL BE IN VEGAS FOR 3 DAYS AND I'M SO LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.
Hey Mrs. Lauretta! I miss ya'll so. I know we are going to take this far, and I know we're going to work on future projects together because God's favor is upon us. Peace and Blessings always! See ya soon.
WHEN A THING HAS SERVED ITS PURPOSE, IT WILL GO AWAY. IF YOU ARE HOLDING ON TO SOMETHING OR SOMEONE, NOT REALIZING THAT IS PURPOSE IN YOUR LIFE HAS BEEN SERVED. FROM TODAY & FORWARD, RELEASE & SURRENDER ALL ATTACHMENTS TO THOSE PEOPLE & THINGS THAT YOU HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING TO HOLD ON TO ESPECIALLY IF THEY DON'T SERVE A DIVINE PURPOSE IN YOUR LIFE.
HAPPY FRIDAY...TODAY LET'S DEVOTE WHATEVER YOU MAY NEED TO MAKE IT THROUGH DIFFICULT & CHALLENGING EXPERIENCES. GIVING UP IS NOT AN OPTION "THIS IS GOING TO MAKE ME STRONGER & WISER".
HELLO LAURETTA. I THINK ABOUT YOU OFTEN AND WONDERED WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU. PLEASE STAY IN TOUCH MY SISTER AND FRIEND.
WHEN YOU CAN LOOK A THING DEAD IN THE EYE, ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT EXISTS, CALL IT EXACTLY WHAT IT IS, AND DECIDE WHAT ROLE IT WILL PLAY IN YOUR LIFE, THEN MY BELOVED, YOU HAVE TAKEN THE FIRST STEP TOWARD YOUR FREEDOM.
PAY MORE ATTENTION TO THE MESSAGES YOU RECEIVE IN YOUR LIFE..
GOOD MORNING. I WOKE UP THIS MORNING GIVING MUCH PRAISE TO OUR ALMIGHTY. I REALIZE MORE AND MORE THAT GOD ONLY PUTS THINGS IN YOUR LIFE TO HELP YOU GROW & BUILD FAITH. GOD WANTS ME TO USE MY SPIRITUAL ENERGY TO HELP OTHERS. THIS IS A GIFT GOD HAS GIVEN ME. I WILL CONTINUE TO SPREAD MY LOVE EACH DAY & BE DEVOTED TO ALONG WITH RECEVING THE HOLY SPIRIT. I PRAY YOU WILL HAVE A BLESSED DAY.
YELLA
I AM DEVOTED TO PUTTING GOD FIRST IN EVERYTHING I DO!
It takes more than caring To be a real friend; The nature of friendship; Requires a blend Of warmest compassion And love deep and true To reach and to comfort The way that you do. Because I can see That your kind of friendship Is priceless to me.
I woke up this morning in great spirits and full of love, laughter and joy. I thank God for brining each one of you in my life. I thank him for my family, friends and what he continues to do for me. We praise you, we love you, worship you, and adore you because in all of our messed up ways; you hold on to us because you know we can't make it without you. AMEN.
My Friend..be full of JOY in the Lord.
Place your Hope and Faith in God.....then you will have every reason to be happy.
Set your heart on doing his will and he will promise to protect and preserve you in any situation you may face in life.
Take a moment to thank him for brigning you into the light of his love and cultivate a spirirt of genuine joy.
"These are not My words. They are God’s words," said Jesus. "If He hadn’t given Me anything to say, I would have nothing to say." Jesus never took credit for a message He preached or work He did. He always gave the glory to God.
Do not ever take credit for what God has done through you. Thank God you were obedient. Thank God you said what God told you to say, but realize that if it were not for God, nothing would have happened.
Did your kids turned out wonderful? Glory be to God! Is your marriage great? Glory be to God! Has God made you a millionaire? Glory be to God! When you give God the glory, God will make sure that you are honored.
For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. ~ John 12:49
A sister is the one who makes life easier to live, Whom you can share our likes and dislikes with, She is the one who tells us her vast secrets and feelings And asks us to do the same, And has the rights to know all our friends name. She makes us feel comfortable when we are sad, She guides us the right way when we are bad, She is more than any word can tell, She holds us when we tend to fall. She comes to know our problems through our eyes, She is of course naughty but wise, She is my life's sunrise. We should always make oneself full of these qualities to be a sister.
I just cant help it im just so excited im changing my life makes since people are helping me. Im so excited to start my life to become a new woman, to be able to help myself, to be able to take care of myself. My life is meaningful im so excited to have my life go as planed. Im so excited for life.
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, when the road you're trudging seems all uphill, when the funds are low and the debts are high, and you want to smile but you have to sigh, when care is pressing you down a bit - rest if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns. As everyone of us sometimes learns. And many a fellow turns about when he might have won had he stuck it out. Don't give up though the pace seems slow - you may succeed with another blow.
Good morning. Sometimes we need to look at our lives and dig deep down inside to found a new person. We all strive to be better people but just don't know how or where to start. if it's in your heart you will ask god to change you, teach you how to use the gifts he gave each one of us to utilize. Once this is done your mind, spirit and soul will be at peace. God sometimes brings us to a place where answers can't be found... Where we cannot see tomorrow, for confusion all around.
Yet deep inside we realize that all things work for good... Even times when we've been wounded and we feel misunderstood.
Don't dwell on the injustice and stay focused on God's heart... Find forgiveness and go on, you can make a brand new start.
GOOD AFTERNOON..AND HAPPY MONDAY. THANKS BE TO GOD FOR THIS BEAUTIFUL DAY THAT IS TO COME. WISHING ALL A TERRIFIC AND PEACEFUL WEEK. REMEMBER TO SMILE..ENJOY LIFE..BE YOURSELF AND TRUST IN THE ALMIGHTY FOR HE IS ALL WE CAN RELY ON.
I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning. I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you. I ask now for Your forgiveness. Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You.Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things. Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. And give me the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits.I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will. Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak... Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others.
I thank You that I believe that God changes people and God changes things. I pray for all my sisters and brothers. For each and every family member in their households. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes; that they are out of debt and all their needs are met. I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight. I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees it in Jesus' name.
