As a foster carer, this one grabbed my attention. It is the story of a sixteen-year-old girl in the care system, who longs to be a dancer. Just being in care presents challenges to her ambition and plans, complicated by a spectre of a progressive genetic condition, that could steal away her dreams.
A part of growing up as a young adult is to search and find your identity, often even more difficult for children in care who have had the rug pulled from under them, moving away from their birth family. They yearn to avoid being different, are often hyper sensitive and hyper vigilant to all interactions and relationships, battling with feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.
This story realistically presents the challenges faced by children in care and offers a glimpse into the roller-coaster of feelings that they journey through. It offers a realistic understanding of the social care system, social workers and how the system works, with all its limitations and complications.
This of course has to be the palatable end of the care spectrum, written from the point of view of a girl who is resilient, intelligent and pushing her way through education, hanging on to hope in her dancing career, supported by a strong team of friends and carers, and a growing faith.
There are hints of a previous chaotic childhood, previous lack of continuity of care and frequent placement moves, which do all add to the trauma for children in care. And many are not in a position to handle it as well as Emma does in this story. Many will lose hope, failed by the care and education system. It is a sad fact that just over 25% of the UK prison population have been in the care system at some point in their life, whereas just under 1% of people have been in care. A telling statistic that shows how much more support these children need.
Emma has her dancing as a creative outlet, and she has goals and ambition, which she can cling on to. Her possible genetic illness adds a shadow over her life, but she deals with it in a mature way. The reader can see her coming to terms with her situation, realising none of it is her fault, and facing what lies ahead.
The church plays a part in this story, providing her with another layer to her support network, which is as it should be. The priority is to support, nurture, encourage and give every opportunity for individuals to find how a faith can help to carry them through tough circumstances, but most of all be community around each other. To just be there to accept, love and listen.
The Precarious Path of Emma JJ, by Annie Try, is available here.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, but was under no pressure to provide a favourable review.
