{"product_id":"9781399711920-looked-after","title":"Looked After","description":"\u003cmeta content=\"text\/html; charset=utf-8\" http-equiv=\"Content-Type\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA moving, honest memoir about growing up in the British care system\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA moving memoir from award-winning journalist and presenter Ashley John-Baptiste about his childhood growing up in care.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cb\u003e'This is a book that everyone must read.\u003c\/b\u003e It's funny, moving and of course it's often sad. But mainly it's a beautiful and fascinating and enlightening portrait of the care system, a world that is barely understood by many of us. It is also a proper page turner: the twists and turns and set-backs of his childhood are as gripping as they are shocking. I genuinely couldn't put it down. \u003cb\u003eThis story is more urgent and relevant now than ever.'\u003c\/b\u003e - XAND VAN TULLEKEN \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWHAT READERS ARE SAYING:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'What a powerful read, there are no words really to describe the impact it has had on me.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐  \u003cbr\u003e'I couldn't put this down and read it in two days. This book should be a staple read in every teacher training course and for every policy maker who wishes to shape a fairer, more equitable society.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐  \u003cbr\u003e'I fully recommend this book to everyone who works with children, to inform and guide their work.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐  \u003cbr\u003e'I devoured this book in a few days. Ashley's story is honest and brave. A must read for everyone.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐  \u003cbr\u003e'What an incredible book. It had me laughing, crying, dreaming about it . A true gift. Everyone should read it!'   ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e-------\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAshley John-Baptiste grew up in the British care system, living with five different families, without ever being truly part of a family.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt wasn't easy, or straightforward, and Ashley's ever-changing living situation affected every single part of his life - from his education to his sense of identity to his friendships and his hobbies. And yet, throughout everything his childhood in care threw at him, Ashley remained resilient and found a way to take advantage of the opportunities that came his way.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNow Ashley feels able to tell us - vividly and movingly - how, when it felt like the world was turning its back on him, he refused to be an outsider in his own home and set about establishing a new and positive life for himself.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eLooked After\u003c\/i\u003e is a memoir written from the heart that pulls no punches but demonstrates that given encouragement and love - and, sometimes, a second chance - a care-experienced boy can become a successful broadcaster, a loving husband and a proud father.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e---------\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e'Rage-inducing from start to finish. It is such a powerful story, but it's also a rallying cry for change. It will mean so much to lots of kids out there and should be read by every social worked in the land.' - WES STREETING\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Ashley John-Baptiste joins a high class of writing by upstanding respectful and honourable citizens and professionals, professors and actors, lawyers, doctors, artists and authors, all who happen to have had a life in care. We have every right to tell our story as much as anyone else. Welcome, Ashley.' - LEMN SISSAY\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'An inspiring story of triumph over adversity.' - FATIMA WHITBREAD\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Ashley has done the country a great service in shining a light on the inhumane - and at times brutal - way that society supports this most vulnerable group of children. Every politician should read this book and commit to fixing the system.' - SHARON WHITE\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Beautifully written, with such immediacy, clarity and warmth.' - EAMON McCRORY, Professor of Developmental Neuroscience and Psychopathology at UCL \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rarewaves","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41271163879521,"sku":"9781399711920","price":12.32,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0092\/7504\/8033\/files\/stand_23319466.jpg?v=1714562816","url":"https:\/\/www.rarewaves.com\/products\/9781399711920-looked-after","provider":"Rarewaves.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}