Fostered: One Woman’s Powerful Story of Finding Faith and Family through Foster Care

I could barely lay this book down and finished it in a couple hours! It's written in story form, with some of the author's thoughts, as well as factual information, about what was going on in the story-- the why behind her behaviors. Tori's day-to-day true life vignettes helped me to better understand trauma and the way it presents itself. Her story was easy to follow--creating an understanding of how pain, trauma, and, then, acting out, all mix together, helping caregivers realize what's going on in the mind of a child with trauma in their past.My mom ran away from an abusive home at the age of 13 and was lovingly taken in by young parents with 3 little boys. She was fostered there till the age of 18 when she aged out, and got married within 10 days of each other. I'm proud of my mom and my grandparents--they all have big, courageous hearts, and resilience in fostering and being fostered. My grandpa and grandma made my mom their family--and we're still close today. Knowing my mom's story especially helped me resonate with Tori's.The church that my husband and I pastor has its share of trauma stories--and it can get emotionally draining at times. Tori's story rekindled hope within my heart that God is still redeeming and will keep pursuing through tough trauma, and even mistakes that I and other caregivers may make.

This book is a must read! Whether you are religious or not, this book is bound to inspire you. Despite the trauma the narrator deftly narrates, this story contagiously brims with hope! The story instructs on how to keep a higher vision regardless of adversity, a narrative arc that can be widely adopted by readers into their own lives. The generosity of spirit Tori Hope Petersen demonstrates is also instructive about forgiveness. You'll feel so engaged throughout. This books makes for a worthy companion. Many kudos to the author (and her faith, and her higher power) for transcendence and worthwhile writerly gifts. A bonus is that this book also instructs about the American foster care system, which will equip you to be a better citizen or perhaps, depending about your profession, a better professional (policy makers, social workers, physicians, mental health therapists, teachers, school administrators, etc. etc.). This book deserves awards and accolades. What a gift. Specifically, this book makes for a good gift to adult survivors of dysfunctional homes/families (whether a part of the foster care system or not), who may from these pages glean the possibility of forgiveness and the ability to move forward into their own lives and their own hopes and dreams at an accelerated pace. Fostered should sit beside Michelle Obama's Becoming at the bookstores, since both books capably and knowledgeably lift readers into a realm of possibility and hope. Enjoy!

Tori had me hooked in the dedication which ends with “To God, who has gifted me this messy and stunning life to draw me closer to You. I am your daughter.” She writes so eloquently about the pain and abuse she suffered through her life but with a stunning forgiveness (especially to her mother) and joy in knowing Christ. Early in the book (page 20), she writes about not belonging “But at the same time, I don’t really mind not belonging. I find comfort in my identity being the daughter of the King”.This book is a must read for all of us claiming to be a Christian — to better understand the heart wrenching cycle of abuse/trauma and the power of unconditional love to conquer. “We have power to transform trauma, to minimize it, deepen it, or be a part of its healing….To contradict trauma, we must act in ways that are opposite of the ways the wounds were inflicted…we can be vessels of mercy and warmth. We can contradict the ways of trauma with the ways of Christ—the Man I’d soon come to know.”

This is the first item I've ever left a review for. I've related more to your book and your story than any book I can remember. Thank you for writing this, Tori, and for sharing your testimony so openly and being such a strong example of faith and God's love. I read the book in two sittings - highly recommend for any who are interested!!

I recommend this book if you are looking for a glimpse into the life of a former foster youth that has broken the cycle and gone on to do amazing things. It is a short read and being the first revision it has some editing mistakes, but none the less powerful and inspiring.She is a strong, bold woman of God and I thank her for being brave enough to share her life with us.

Thankyou Tori for sharing your moving story.

I love this book so much! So inspirational! Many will be blessed by the author's story!

I enjoyed the authors transparency and honesty. Read with a grain of salt and know that there are always many sides Of a story. It didn’t enhance my knowledge or understanding of fostering.

It was a decent book but it’s not a Christian book. It’s all about foster parenting…