Sky: Child, Interrupted

By: William Dale West

Narrated by: Michael Kazalski

Early in the decade of 2000, the Department of Human Services of the Ellsworth, Maine, Child Protective Division, along with other municipalities, came under scrutiny for their questionable policies and immoderate tactics. Discover how a toothache led to a two-year nightmare for this quiet and law-abiding family. (Well...kinda quiet and law-abiding).

Sky is a multi-emotion-provoking love story about a mismatched couple and their struggle to save their marriage amid their valiant battle for custody of their child against this powerful but once highly criticized state agency. This is an essential listen for any parent who has picked up a drink or a drug.

Interspersed with actual documents from the case, including brief news clippings, highly personal letters, and court decisions, Mr. West offers, in a chronological exposé, a passionate exploration of and stark contrast to the realities of substance abuse and parenting, with mental illness and morals and with his occasional awareness of the presence of God.

Written with wry humor seemingly, at times, to mask his own heartbreak, West lays out his perspective with blunt, piercing honesty while allowing the listener to be the ultimate judge.

©2015 William Dale West (P)2015 ECONO Publishing Company

KNOW What is Going On Around You Don't Assume...

In today's world via government interference in families many get lost and traumatized. The gross miscarriage of Justina Pelletier and her family being withheld from one another, is just one example. She was 'kidnapped' & kept from her family at Boston Children after being transferred from Tufts. DHS agents and Boston Children's had a God complex, rather than admit an error (contacting Tufts about her ongoing condition.)

This book, of a family with a happy, healthy daughter is an account of such an instance. At 2 1/2 years old, an unfortunate series of mistakes rips Sky from her parents by DHS in the State of Maine.

What follows is a heartbreaking account of Sky's parents – especially her dad – trying to figure out what happened and how to get their daughter back.

The story was especially intriguing to me, as it happened in my backyard. Bucksport, Ellsworth & Bangor (pronounced bang – Gore ) are all within 45 minutes to 2 Hours drive from my hometown. It is really disturbing that such deceit and misuse of power happens so close to home.

I felt myself becoming very angry for the plight that this family went through. While this instance may have been thought and a novelty , at the time, it seems that this is happening more often for far less minor reports.

The performance was good/okay the performance of the females (and Sky's) characters kind of grated at me. It is difficult for me to find performers to can't find a voice for a child that is not distracting. The performance of the male lead was a bit "sang songs" but the performance of Williams, lawyers and judges were really good.

*I was given this book in exchange for my review. I recommend it for everyone. The misuse of the "system." It's important to know what is going on with our government agencies.

Please note: There are a lot of good social workers doing the best that they can out there. My sister is one of them, so please do not take this review as a blanket indictment. There are more that are aggressive and not really looking out for the welfare of the child. It is more of a power trip, as is revealed here.

There has to be a solution to removing abused children and understanding the difference in family situations. No one is a perfect parent and this account shows that.. However, there are those that do need "rescuing" from their parents, it is just knowing the difference. Between the two situations and it should not be on the job training.

Notes: Drug abuse, alcohol use and two or three mentions of possible child abuse report. Some strong language as well.


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I admire brave authors that tell their story

Any additional comments?

Well written story that keeps you listening. The narrator carried the narrative and characters through nicely and was a pleasure to listen to. I don’t usually listen to books in this category, but will be looking for more from this author in the future.

* I was given a free copy of the book from AudiobookBlast dot com in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Good book

I enjoyed this story. It was well told. It's sad to know people really go through these kind of things. I hate so badly that some children are taken from their homes without good reason and some remain in the homes that they should be taken from. I am just glad I've never been mixed up in anything like that.

Sky: Child, Interrupted

Any additional comments?

"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast."

This is a frightening book whether fiction or real. Government agencies that have power to ruin lives.It makes you think how chance circumstance brings them into your life, and how next to impossible to get rid of them. Yes there are times when children need protection, but not always.


The narration was excellent!

Honest Indictment of the DHS. Important Read.

Where does Sky: Child, Interrupted rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is an excellent book. It is a true story but it reads more like fiction. The story is well written. Because it depicts real life, it is complex and multifaceted.

What other book might you compare Sky: Child, Interrupted to and why?

It reminds me of the Netflix documentary, "The Making of a Murderer." The show depicts how the police prosecuted a man for a crime he did not commit. He served 18 years in jail before being exonerated through DNA testing. This book is similar in that it documents the lengths to which DHS will go to keep children in their system and increase their power. It details the abuses and incompetence that pervade this institution. It is an important book for anyone interested in perserving Parental Rights.

Which character – as performed by Michael Kazalski – was your favorite?

Michael Kazalski gave a great performance of all of the real life characters. He did a great job and made them come alive.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes, this is a heart breaking story. It is darkly comic in its treatment of the cruel and senseless actions of the DHS. It is very moving.

Any additional comments?

This is an excellent book that uncovers the corruption of the DHS and the legal system in general. I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

An intensely emotional story everyone should read!

As someone who has also struggled against government agencies which are supposed to help families (rather than destroying them), this book hit really close to home

While the writing itself is choppy and certainly not error free, it is still a wonderful, emotional story that I think every parent in the world (and especially within the US) should read!