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

This book contains vital information for anyone who works in the field of child protection and for those who don't but freely criticize those who do. Marc Parent is able to tell the stories of some of the children he came across during his time in children protection in a way that grabs the readers attention and heart. This book just begins to highlight the awful situations many children in this country must endure everyday and the emotional toll those who choose this line of work. I myself work in the field of child protection and having had to deal with many children in heart breaking situations first hand. Dealing with children who have been abused and neglected on a regular basis takes a toll on who you are and hardens you. Anytime I begin to feel that I can no longer do this job, I get this book out and read it to remind me of why I became a social worker in the first place/

Even though this book is supposed to be nonfiction, it reads like a heart-pounding narrative. Parents knows how to captivate the reader by immediately thrusting him or her into the life-or-death cases that he dealt with during his tenure at CPS. This book does not preach about how to change the system (at least, not until the last chapter), but instead shows the reader first-hand how many children live, and what happens to them once they are inside the system (and conversely, the sometimes dramatic consequences of when the system simply cannot intervene). A fantastic read by a reliable source. Definitely recommend to anyone who wants to pursue a career in social services or a related field.

Having worked in the field of child protection for fifteen years I was wary about reading this book as other accounts of this nature tend to be full of sickly sweet tales of damaged children who miraculously become healed from years of abuse and neglect through the administrations of one caring worker, or usually some self promoting foster carer. I was pleased that Marc Parent provided factual observations outlining the difficulties which workers face on a daily basis in trying to recognise and respond to the most adverse conditions and trying to protect the most vulnerable members of our society. It was well written and considered and I've recommend it to students who are considering working in this field

I read this book before I started working with children at risk and this book created so many feelings of confusion and questions in my inner soul. Why do parents treat their children like this? What can we do to help parents STOP abusing and neglecting their children? Are people capable of changing and becoming good parents? Nobody knows the answers, but everyone knows that what human services agencies are doing now is NOT creating change. How many children have to die before changes, that make a difference, are made? This realistic rendition, of Parent's experiences working with children that the public does not want to talk about, should challenge all to turn stones.

Marc Parent was a case worker in NYC for child protective services, back in the late 1980's. While his experiences with the children and with their families seem to have come from his direct experience, some of the rest of the book reads like fiction. Small inconsistencies and errors also make me question the book's veracity. For example he writes about a mother coming here illegally from Puerto Rico with her children. Puerto Ricans are BORN citizens, so they are NEVER illegal. Missing a factual detail like that makes me wonder what else he missed or fudged or glazed over. It is an interesting read, but I would not necessarily take it as an accurate example of how things are 20+ years later in the child protection field.

I like it because it teaches us how social workers feel after finishing their job or at the end of the day where you will find yourself.

This is a must read for all new therapists who work with children. Are you burnt out? Are you frustrated with the system? Are you overworked? Are you giving...IN... to the negativity of your workplace? If so, please read this book. I have found it extremely helpful in getting myself "over the hump." This book can do wonders for the vicarious trauma all mental health professionals face on a daily basis. An amazing read. You will not be disappointed.

Excellent. An utterly compelling read. And depressing...SO depressing. You will weep for these lost children and maybe even more so for their clueless mothers, who likely got the exact same treatment growing up. A child growing up in poverty-it is a crying shame. This book makes me very very grateful for my parents, who provided for us no matter how they had to do it.I could never do this job, I am grateful to the people that will.