The Little Ghost Girl

Abused, Starved, and Neglected, a Little Girl Desperate for Someone to Love Her

By: Maggie Hartley

Narrated by: Penny MacDonald

Ruth was a ghost of a girl when she arrived into foster mother Maggie Hartley's care. Pale, frail, and withdrawn, it was clear to Maggie that Ruth had seen and experienced things that no 11-year-old should have to, that she's been conditioned to "see no evil, speak no evil". Ruth is in desperate need of help, but can Maggie get through to her and unlock the harrowing secret she carries?

Through love, reassurance, and patience, Maggie starts to unravel Ruth's painful past - a past defined by cruelty and abuse by the very people who should have protected her. Raised by a cruel stepmother and her father after her own mum abandoned her, Ruth was abused, underfed, and ignored, while her half-siblings lived a life of luxury.

It's up to Maggie to help Ruth find her voice; to be a ghost no more, and bring those who've harmed her to justice.

©2017 Maggie Hartley (P)2017 Tantor

Eyesight into a child’s world of abuse

Great teaching from the real world of fostering. And in the end what we as fosters give to the innocents with a terrible exterior

Adopting? Fostering? A must listen

This does a wonderful job explaining how child abuse and neglect affects a child. From removal to care to court case to permanency. Beautifully written and raw.

another heartbreaking story

It takes a very strong woman to be a single foster carer. Ruth, though very unlikeable at first, had my heart at the end. I need to know more about the other girls and their stories! I know not every child has as an intense story as Ruth did, every story matters.

I can relate very well.

I cried and cried listening to this book. Brought back my horrors. Yes, the reality of this is that child abuse and trauma can and does have lasting effects I know from personal experience I have lived it scars. The abuse leaves scars and wounds even years and years later. Far into adulthood. The lives of those affected by this trauma never go away I know mine has not I have PTSD and Bipolar and
Acute Anxiety Disorder is a real issue and must be dealt with and not ignored.

Thank Goodness for Maggie

Heart breaking, then heart warming. Narrator was great. The world needs more people like Maggie.

interesting and engaging

penny McDonald's reading is rhythmic and relaxing. author tells true stories in an engaging way. good story satisfying conclusion.

I laughed. I cried. I rejoiced. Love this book!!!

Love the parts where Maggie does her hair & they bond. My heart melted.

Sad but beautifully told story.

Well told story. Kept me engaged and interested in learning more about the foster system. This setting takes place in Britain (I think) so I loved the narrator's accent!

How Ruth had a 360 turn around for the better

How her brother treated her and wanted to go back with his dad and step mother after all what their dad did to Ruth

Author is great but the story fell a bit flat this time

While I—of course—would not have wanted any more to happen to this child, as a story this book was just flat, no real ups or downs, no conflict as far as the reader in concerned. Not my favourite so far. There was more telling than showing.

Perhaps the narrator was a little less right for this book (she’s been perfect for the others) because the story didn’t give her a lot of emotion to work with, but I wasn’t as happy with her doing a teenager as I have been with the books with the foster toddlers and young kids.