Etched in Sand: A True Story of Five Siblings Who Survived an Unspeakable Childhood on Long Island by Regina CalcaterraMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was an excellent book. It is unbelievable how Regina Calcaterra survived this abuse, much less having the stellar career she has had. The fact that all five of her siblings managed to survive and lead productive lives is nothing short of a miracle.
Their mother was mentally ill and emotionally warped and she only needed her children to get welfare money. She was just shrewd enough to say the right things to HRS to continue to get benefits which she spent on herself. The children were either in deplorable living conditions or homeless.
The most important thing about this story is that Regina, a foster child, was able to continue through college, something unheard of until that time. Most of these children are turned loose at 18 with very few prospects. Besides being a role model, Regina has work with the system to make it easier for these kids to get a higher education.
The other thing that stands out about this family is how the children took care of each other. The older children took care of the younger ones and provided for their emotional support when they were desperately in need of it themselves. This is a fascinating and incredibly inspirational book.
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