Turning Stones: My Days and Nights with Children at Risk A Caseworker's Story

I read this book very, very quickly. That's the only way to read it, to avoid breaking down and sobbing throughout every chapter. And there are some doozies in here. Remember the story of the woman who threw two of her five children out the window of her tenement (something like five floors up) in New York City? Marc worked the aftermath of that case. The woman had never been investigated before, hadn't even been diagnosed with mental illness, nothing. She kept down a job, the kids saw their father (who wasn't married to the mother) every weekend, they were well-fed and well taken care of. She just snapped, just like that. He told of an eight-year old girl diagnosed with gonorrhea. Pitbulls attacking caseworkers. Women so afraid of hexes they wouldn't let their children eat the food, for fear of glass in the food killing them. Homes so infested and horrible that the caseworkers were scared to enter. An eight year old boy, mentally ill and neglected by his druggie mother, left home alone and terrified that he would kill his brother. Marc talked him down from plunging the knife, which the boy held at his two year old brother's throat, and killing his brother. Another scary story was about a nine year old boy who basically just snapped and beat one of his cousins to death. A good read. Read it fast, and then turn some stones of your own.

I put off reading this book for some time after it was recommended to me -- I knew how potentially devastating the stories it contains might be. While they are heartbreaking to read, I think they should be required reading for every adult in America who cares about the welfare of children -- it's vital that people realize the hell that some of these kids are going through, to feel it and breathe it, in order to open society's eyes to it and get these kids some help.The case histories here -- with the names changed, of course, for all the right reasons -- are tragic, and cover everything from mothers on drugs to children falling victim to the psychoses of their parents, to physical and sexual abuse. These are horror stories -- and they don't always have happy endings. The book is an intelligent, sensitive look at the Child Welfare System of New York City -- and I'm sure it can be applied to other large cities as well -- and gives the reader a good look at what's both right and wrong with the system, how it works and how it doesn't. Even when it works, it can be traumatic -- children are removed from homes, separated from their parents who have neglected or abused them, and placed in group or foster homes, hopefully to receive the care and love they deserve. When it doesn't work, it can be deadly.Marc Parent worked in the system in NYC for a little over four years -- caringly, with the sole purpose of helping these kids. The things he saw and experienced took their toll on him -- and understandably so -- causing him to doubt his own motives, resolve and abiities. The thing that saved him -- the thing at the core of his caring -- is that making a difference in the life of just one child on any given night is so very important. It doesn't work out that every child with whom the system deals is saved -- and that's the tragic part -- but making a difference, one child at a time, adds up to good work. The fact that he stuck with it as long as he did shows how much he cared. The successes show that the system -- flawed as it may be -- serves an important, vital purpose. The fact that he has written this important book in order to share his experiences shows us how important this issue is to him.I cannot imagine a reader not being moved to tears by these accounts -- and drawing hope from the fact that there are people out there like Marc Parent working for these kids' lives.This books is slated to be the next directorial project from acclaimed actor/director Tim Roth, who gave us the incredible film THE WAR ZONE. With Roth and Parent collaborating on the screenplay, it's sure to be a powerful piece of work.

Marc Parent does a great job of telling the story of his years as a social worker. Every detail is real and touches home. Parent not only informs us, but inspires us. Even in the darkest of moments the reader can breathe a sigh of relief and continue. Parent gives us hope in a world full of unknowns and tragidies by showing that no matter what a person should do their best to make this world a better place to live. Parent uses great detail to make the reader feel like he/she is actually in the room with him in his daily activities. You can feel his pain, fear, and relief throughout the story. If I had to pick one book that changed my views it would be this one.

I read Parent's book on a vacation desperately needed to stave off my impending burnout and research my employment options. After twenty years in a field I find critical to our existence as a society I had had enough. As a CPS administrator (working my way through the ranks of course) I was feeling more hopeless than I'd thought possible.The clients and situations Parent describes were very familiar and his writing style eloquent. He writes about the families, the various personalities amongst the staff and the flaws inherent in a system that tries hard to perform an overwhelming and unappreciated task. The chapter which explained the book's title was so powerful I couldn't quit sobbing. I felt a strengthening of my resolve to continue the fight and turn a few more stones of my own. The only disappointment was Anna Quindlen's remarks which were somewhat blaming and contrasted with Parent's tone throughout the book. Part of my duties include training, the book will be a must read for all new Social Workers. I plan to send it to our judge as well. Anyone involved or just curious about the life of child protective workers will find it fascinating.

This is an outstanding title for anyone who is interested in the child welfare system. I also would recommend it for anyone who works with children as there are details of situations that God only knows how many children go home to.