Intense. ( )

This is the heartbreaking telling of Marc Parent's 4-year job at New York's Emergency Children's Services office during the mid-1990's. He includes eight detailed stories of going out "into the field" to help children and families in dire situations. He and his partners must decide: do we leave the child or take the child? Sometimes there's no right answer. This was very difficult to read but eye-opening, even though we hear awful stories fairly often nowadays. Some of those stories seem kind of general, whereas this was very specific. However, I did like that Mr. Parent ended the book with a positive note that he thinks some of the services for families/children in these situations are getting better and more available. He also adds that we seem to hear about more of these stories every day, but not just in the cities. This happens all over the country. As I said before, difficult to read, and I don't know that I recommend it, but we should probably all read it. ( )

I thought this was fascinating and insightful. Each of the stories was touching and I felt like I had a true view of what his job was like and what he was experiencing. I only wish I knew what happened later. The metaphor of turning stones was also a valuable one that will stick with me. ( )