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Ward of the State: A Memoir Of Foster Care Kindle Edition

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 130 ratings

"Ward of the State: A Memoir of Foster Care," tells what happened to a little black boy from the inner city of Detroit. This is the story of Karlos Dillard, severely neglected by his mother who often left him and his siblings at home alone for weeks to fend for themselves. Enduring severe neglect and abuse, the boy was removed by the State of Michigan and put into foster care.
Karlos was removed from his mother's care just to end up in foster homes that treated him worse. The book is an emotional rollercoaster. Every time Karlos describes the pain he is feeling you will feel the same pain. Whether it be hunger, anger, or being sexually violated. Karlos' use of words makes sure that you aren't just reading the book, you are actually engaged.
What is most enticing are the small victories experienced in the story because they give you a break from the horrors of some of the foster homes. Karlos was told he was not loved, he was not wanted and he was nothing but a ward of the State. Karlos had nothing left to look forward to and that almost ended his life, but his hope to find a family that loved him kept him alive.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Most known for his appearances on Cut.com a viral Youtube Production company based out of Seattle, Karlos has made a name for himself making people laugh while addressing social issues. Using his large social media platforms, Karlos has brought attention to Black gun ownership and police brutality. He is a Commerical Actor and Model working with the nation's top photographers like National Geographic Photographer Art Wolfe. He has also appeared in commercials for companies such as Microsoft, Amazon and Mercedes Benz. Karlos has also advocated for other foster children currently in the system, doing public speaking engagements like Seattle Ignite 40 with his talk "Friend of a Foster Child".Karlos resides in Seattle Wa with his husband and their two dogs. He has dedicated his life to shading light onto dark spaces in society and to be a voice for those that haven't found theirs.Brooke-Sidney's love for books and writing began when she was only 4 years old. A young reader, she was often found curled up with a book. Books were her friends and she would spend days and nights reading, even using a flashlight to read a book during bedtime. She spent over ten years in the marketing and media industry working her way up from a National Executive Trainee Associate to an Advertising Sales Representative to a Marketing Associate turned Marketing Manager to an Advertising Manager to an Interactive Media Director. Each position bringing additional skills, expertise, management, and responsibility. When Brooke-Sidney is not helping authors change the world with their powerful stories, you can find her hanging out with her favorite little guy (her son), doing yoga, relaxing at the beach, or teaching mindfulness meditation.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B084G9F27D
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ BookBaby; 1st edition (February 2, 2020)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 2, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 622 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 146 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 130 ratings

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Karlos Dillard
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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
130 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and stimulating. They describe it as an emotional journey into the life of a young boy in foster care. The author does a good job explaining the feelings a child experiences in these situations. Readers appreciate the perspective and find it important for understanding the ups and downs.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

13 customers mention "Readability"13 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and stimulating. They describe it as a page-turner that explores various thoughts and emotions.

"This was a good book. I’m a Social Work major and it was recommended by my professor" Read more

"...I loved the style in which it was written, a real page turner...." Read more

"This book was great I cried like a baby definitely needed a trigger a warning for a few moments." Read more

"...ending(as I imagine Karlos did while living it), but it’s a book you NEED to read." Read more

7 customers mention "Emotional content"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book emotional and gripping. It explains the feelings a child experiences in these situations. The author portrays innocence well, even though it was difficult to tell.

"...This is a book that makes you feel every emotion, and one I’ll never forget…" Read more

"This book is an emotional ride into the life of a young boy in foster care...." Read more

"...It is a gripping and traumatic story of how a sweet child was so failed by the system and by adults...." Read more

"...Karlos told his story beautifully even though it was a difficult story to tell...." Read more

3 customers mention "Insight"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the author's perspective. They find it valuable and necessary for understanding the ups and downs of life.

"...Important and necessary for an understanding of the ups and downs, positives and negatives that can come from being separated from your biological..." Read more

"Ward of the State gives you a tiny glimpse of insight, from a child’s point of view, of foster care...." Read more

"Amazing Insight..." Read more

A Must Read
5 out of 5 stars
A Must Read
As you can see in my review^, I loved it as much as you can love a story so tragic. As a former foster youth it was especially hard to read, since so many of the emotions expressed are emotions I know all too well. It’s a not a book you want to read, and you’ll hope the story ends at every page with some happy ending(as I imagine Karlos did while living it), but it’s a book you NEED to read.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2024
    I appreciate Karlos for sharing his experiences with his family and his traumatic experiences from being in one foster home after another’s it shows how some foster parents only care for the money and not the child’s well being.
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2024
    I read this book in two nights, hoping if I kept reading he’d catch a break. This is a book that makes you feel every emotion, and one I’ll never forget…
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2023
    I follow Karlos on tik tok. He’s very engaging and his message is always important. Just got done with the book and it’s just as impressive as his Tik tok. He is a talented writer who knows how to make the reader feel like they were right there with him. The story itself is compelling and important. Really good book!
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2024
    This was a good book. I’m a Social Work major and it was recommended by my professor
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2022
    This book is an emotional ride into the life of a young boy in foster care. Utilizing his memory and survival, Karlos paints the picture of his time in foster care. The raw, vulnerable look into his abuse and the emotions that came with it shed light on the traumatic realities of the US foster care system. Important and necessary for an understanding of the ups and downs, positives and negatives that can come from being separated from your biological family. His perspective is greatly appreciated. Thank goodness he survived to tell his stories.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2021
    I follow Karlos Dillard on TikTok and was excited to read his childhood story. It is a gripping and traumatic story of how a sweet child was so failed by the system and by adults. I loved the style in which it was written, a real page turner. It is required reading for anyone who is concerned about how children are treated in this world. It is such a shame that things haven’t changed and that foster families still could get away with so much abuse, physical, emotional, sexual and financial. The people that can call themselves Christians and feed the foster kids junk food while their own kids eat steak are just infuriating. How can they be so poorly vetted by the authorities? Also required reading for anyone who wants to foster to understand what kids have and are going through.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2023
    When you think of foster parents you think of people nice and caring enough to open their homes and care for children in bad situations. Unfortunately most foster parents seem to be horrible people and pedophiles only looking for a check. Karlous endured so much that I really thought he'd end up either losing his life or taking someone else's. I really thought there was no hope until nearly the end of the book when the Gums were introduced. The Gums family were heaven sent, and I honestly would like to know about the rest of Karlous' life with them. I hope he finally got to experience love, happiness, and safety.
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2024
    This book was great I cried like a baby definitely needed a trigger a warning for a few moments.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Anne-maree Patman
    5.0 out of 5 stars awesome product
    Reviewed in Australia on June 26, 2024
    Great communication from the seller. I received the item when I was told I would, and it was as described. I would highly recommend this seller and would buy from this seller again.

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