Three Little Words: A Memoir by Ashley Rhodes-CourterWhy did I read it?
I don't normally read memoirs. But I thought it was cool that they were included on my required reading list for school, because I probably wouldn't have read this book otherwise.
What happened?
Ashley, and her younger bother Luke, were born to a young mother who struggled with drugs, alcohol, violence, and responsibility. Taken from her mother at 3 years old, Ashley spent the next 9 years of her life in a legal and emotional limbo, until she was finally adopted by another family.
Throughout this time Ashley bounced between relatives, foster families, and shelters. When someone actually seemed to care, a circumstance would mess things up, and the rest couldn't handle Ashley's rough points for very long. After being abandoned by her mother, and shipped off whenever things got tough, Ashley was relatively sure she never wanted to love anyone again, and relatively sure she would never be adopted.
What did I like or not like?
Unfortunately, I didn't have enough time to get through the entire memoir this week. But, up to this point, it has been a really eye-opening experience.
Ashley's memoir paints a very clear picture about most of the foster families she lived with, and some of them aren't pretty. Her memoir also gives us a very clear look at what is going on inside her head, which helps us feel the desperation and anger she feels, and the love she longs for.
If anyone wants an honest look at the foster care system, and a girl who succeeded after going through it, this memoir is a very interesting and heat-felt read.
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