I’m not going to do a book review of this book. I can’t write anything that will capture what is beautiful and awful and heartbreaking, gut wrenching and true about this book, or why you just should read it. Just believe me. You should read it. It will take you an evening and you won’t want to put it down. And you will cry. And then it will be over.

It is written like fiction, but it isn’t. It is poetry but it isn’t. It is forlorn and hopeful and fiery and a perfectly formed economical narrative about growing up as a child in care. About being in ‘the care’ of a system that doesn’t see you. And about finding out who you are.

If you are a judge, a family lawyer, a social worker, an adopter, a foster carer or a child in care : read it.

If you are a human with parents or a human without them : read it.

We need to see the system through the child’s eyes.

Thanks Lemn.

You can buy My Name Is Why at Amazon, and if you follow this link to get there you can select The Transparency Project as your named charity, meaning each purchase you make through Amazon sends a teeny bit to The Transparency Project – that bit isn’t obligatory, but I’d be very pleased if you did (this is the first time I’ve tried this link so do let me know if it doesn’t work).