- Hardcover: 352 pages
- Publisher: Harper Element (5 Nov 2007)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0007260962
- ISBN-13: 978-0007260966
- Product Dimensions: 21.8 x 14.2 x 3.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
179,652 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #89 in Books > Biography > Tragic Life Stories
Hidden
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Product Description
Review
‘Plays out like a juicy ITV1 drama…at times heartbreaking. But Hidden is also a life -affirming read which proves that, despite the bad press, Social Services do have their successes - and ultimately, sometimes a little hope is all you need.’ Heat
Reviews for ‘Damaged’:
'Cannot fail to move those who read it.' Adoption-net
‘Heartbreaking.' The Mirror
‘A truly harrowing read that made me cry.’ The Sun
'A true tale of hope. ****.' OK!
‘Foster carers rarely get the praise they deserve, but Cathy Glass’s book should change all that.****’ First Magazine
‘A hugely touching and emotional true tale.’ Star Magazine
Product Description
From the author of Number One bestseller ‘Damaged’ comes the poignant and shocking memoir of Cathy’s recent relationship with Tayo, a young boy she fosters whose good behaviour and polite manners hide a terrible past.
Tayo arrives at Cathy’s with only the clothes he stands up in. He has been brought to her by the police, but he is calm, polite, and very well spoken, and not at all like the children she normally fosters. The social worker gives Cathy the forms which should contain Tayo’s history, but apart from his name and age, it is blank. Tayo has no past.
Tayo is an 'invisible' child, kidnapped from his loving father in Nigeria and brought illegally to the UK by his drink and drugs dependent prostitute mother, where he is put to work in a sweat shop in Central London. When he sustains an injury and is no longer earning, he is cast out.
When Cathy takes Tayo to school he points out a dozen different addresses where he has stayed in the last six months, often being left alone. Tayo lies, and manipulates situations to his own advantage and Cathy has to be continually on guard. Tayo’s social worker searches all computer databases but there is no record of Tayo – he has only attended school for 3 terms and has never seen a doctor. He and his mother have been evading the authorities by living ‘underground’.
With his mother recently released from prison, Tayo is desperate to live with his father in Nigeria, but no one can track him down or even prove that he exists.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
In August 2008 I ordered 'The Hidden Assassins' by Robert Wilson. I was not pleased when the Amazon Marketplace supplier sent me a copy of 'Hidden' by Cathy Glass. Not my sort of book. When I pointed out their error they told me to keep it and immediately sent me a copy of the book I had ordered. Both books have sat unread on my shelf for 3 years until last weekend when I picked up 'Hidden'. I read the first 150 pages on Sunday night, eventually setting it down after 1.00am. I have to work!
Perhaps it is my sort of book after all. Cathy Glass knows how to tell a good story and this is a good story. We are all vaguely aware of foster-parenting going on and may even know some foster parents but I had no idea of all the extra stuff that entails - on top of the job of being a good parent. All the people who are involved in the complex system which has evolved to protect vulnerable children who are taken into care. This book was an education in the social care system and the role of (now I am going to have to say some bad words) social workers. There, I've said it. We hear and see so much about the failings and disasters of social workers and social care - I was ready for the tirade. However in this case all those in offialdom (or almost all) shine out as caring professionals who get it right. They have a lot to put up with and yet they do the job well. I wonder how many more successes there are who we never hear about.
The 'star' of the book is Tayo a 10 year old removed from the control of his mother and placed in the care of Cathy. Tayo is the 'Hidden' one and a representative of many more hidden ones. A young boy brought into the UK from Africa who after 5 years living here still does not exist in the official world. No national insurance number, no GP, no dentist, no permanent place of abode, dragged around by a drunken, drug-fuelled mother who is also Hidden. The life he lead prior to being placed in care is beyond belief, including a year working in an East London sweatshop when he was 8 years old. He lost that job when he got seriously hurt in a factory accident but even then he got no medical treatment because he was Hidden. How does this go on in Britain today?
Ultimately however this is an optimistic story of hope triumphing over great adversity and it is a gripping read. I recommend it and send my belated thanks to the book seller for that silly mistake they made three years ago. Must read 'The Hidden Assassins' some time soon too.
Perhaps it is my sort of book after all. Cathy Glass knows how to tell a good story and this is a good story. We are all vaguely aware of foster-parenting going on and may even know some foster parents but I had no idea of all the extra stuff that entails - on top of the job of being a good parent. All the people who are involved in the complex system which has evolved to protect vulnerable children who are taken into care. This book was an education in the social care system and the role of (now I am going to have to say some bad words) social workers. There, I've said it. We hear and see so much about the failings and disasters of social workers and social care - I was ready for the tirade. However in this case all those in offialdom (or almost all) shine out as caring professionals who get it right. They have a lot to put up with and yet they do the job well. I wonder how many more successes there are who we never hear about.
The 'star' of the book is Tayo a 10 year old removed from the control of his mother and placed in the care of Cathy. Tayo is the 'Hidden' one and a representative of many more hidden ones. A young boy brought into the UK from Africa who after 5 years living here still does not exist in the official world. No national insurance number, no GP, no dentist, no permanent place of abode, dragged around by a drunken, drug-fuelled mother who is also Hidden. The life he lead prior to being placed in care is beyond belief, including a year working in an East London sweatshop when he was 8 years old. He lost that job when he got seriously hurt in a factory accident but even then he got no medical treatment because he was Hidden. How does this go on in Britain today?
Ultimately however this is an optimistic story of hope triumphing over great adversity and it is a gripping read. I recommend it and send my belated thanks to the book seller for that silly mistake they made three years ago. Must read 'The Hidden Assassins' some time soon too.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Cathy Glass writes in much the same gripping style as Torey Hayden, allowing you to learn about the child (in this case Tayo), as she does throughout the story. With her fluent story-telling style, it is easy to be swept up in the tale, and read the whole book in one day, hardly pausing for breathe between chapters.
Moreover, this book is not simply a tale of horror and suffering, although, to be sure, there is mention, but rather a moving memoir of her time with Tayo, highs and lows, progress and setbacks.
A well-written and moving read by all accounts.
Moreover, this book is not simply a tale of horror and suffering, although, to be sure, there is mention, but rather a moving memoir of her time with Tayo, highs and lows, progress and setbacks.
A well-written and moving read by all accounts.
17 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I knew this was going to be a good read because I'd already read Cathy Glass's Damaged (in a day, I couldn't put it down). I was right! The story in Hidden tells about another child Cathy fostered. Her style of writing is gripping and the issues she deals with completely engrossing. I won't give the ending away, but I was in tears, just like I was with Damaged. I shall be buying her next book as soon as its out. It's unusual to find a writer this good! I just can't get enough.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A lovely ending
Again Cathy Glass has produced another fantastic account of her fostering true life stories. I could not put this book down, although sad it is encouraging to read of the happy... Read more
Published 18 days ago by Sophie
Thinking of fostering ?
For anyone who is thinking of trying fostering ,Cathy Glass is ideal .She tells tales from her experiences of fostering over a number of years .The heart-ache,the joy ! Read more
Published 21 days ago by J. Sanders
None
I also have read damaged, which was very heartbeaking,was a good read. Hidden is a very good book, letting us have a look in to a foster carers world, the sad stories that a child... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Ruth
Another excellent book by Cathy Glass
I love Cathy Glass's books and thoroughly enjoyed this book about a mixed race little boy called Tayo who was brought back to England from Nigeria by his mother who has serious... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Maxine, Slough
A happy ending!
This book can be really sad but ends on a happy note.
Its another brilliant books of Cathy Glass's and if you enjoyed her previous books then this one is a must read
I... Read more
Its another brilliant books of Cathy Glass's and if you enjoyed her previous books then this one is a must read
I... Read more
Published 1 month ago by L. Green
You just can't put it down
Well I am exhausted from staying up far too late at night by becoming unable to put down this amazing book !! It really is a must read that triggers every emotion. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mylittlelady
Hidden
Excellent book, and clearly written.
The closure at the end was excellent, and it just shows that there are positive outcomes from fostering children.
The closure at the end was excellent, and it just shows that there are positive outcomes from fostering children.
Published 3 months ago by Mark Lawton
hidden
This book is really well writen and im enjoying reading it. I will buy more books of Cathy Glass books as they are all great to read.
Published 4 months ago by suehelen
Amazing
I bought this book Hidden: by Cathy Glass, it's full of sadness and happy endings .I have read a lot of Cathy's book and I have loved them all some happy (like this one) and some... Read more
Published 5 months ago by lyndsey76
Amazing
Another amazing book by Cathy Glass. I knew it was going to be a very good book, just like damaged was. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Amy
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