A Ward of the State [Paperback]

Roland Huber (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 17, 2003

Hunger, alcoholism, and neglect were constant factors in the life of young Ronnie Somerville and his brothers. Living in a poverty-stricken area of Chicago and spending most of his days at home, alone on a dirty floor, was the existence he had come to know by the age of three. And then came the Covenant Children’s Home. As a ward of the state, Ronnie was shuffled from one house to the next, and greeted by couples that were ill-equipped to accommodate the emotional needs of a child. A Ward of the State chronicles the true experiences faced by Ron Huber as a little boy growing up in the foster care system of Chicago, Illinois in the late 1940’s. It speaks volumes about the tragic realities of a system that was supposed to be for the kids, but instead failed kids like Ronnie severely. But like any good Cinderella story, the triumph uproots the storm when the warmth of one particular family encompasses Ronnie and teaches him what being loved is all about — and shows us all that the power of love can take us to heights that our beginnings never would have forecast.

Product Details

• Paperback: 118 pages
• Publisher: PublishAmerica (November 17, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1413714471
• ISBN-13: 978-1413714470
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,092,039 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A moving story of a boy's survival in the foster care system, January 21, 2004

By 

R. Scherago (Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Ward of the State (Paperback)

Ron tells of his experiences as a young boy with two sets of abusive foster parents in a way that makes the reader feel he was there. The treatment he received becomes real; the sadness he conveys is pervasive. But it's a sad story with a heartwarming ending. Anyone with interest in children should read it. Any child or adult child of the foster home system must read it.

5.0 out of 5 stars so proud of my brother, January 15, 2008

By 

Barbara A. Knick - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Ward of the State (Paperback)

I am the Barbara in the book and I couldn't be prouder to have such a great brother, he is the best. Ron came into our family and we have never regretted it ever. Just want to say I am proud of you and we all love you. The book or should I say books are great keep up the great work.

5.0 out of 5 stars Childhome.org, March 18, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: A Ward of the State (Paperback)

Ron, I read your book over the Christmas break and wanted you to know how much I enjoyed reading it. I thought it was extremely well written and very revealing as to the foster care program. I am deeply sorry that you and your brother were the victims of a poorly run system. Looking forward to meeting you and having you up to the Children's Home in March. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to be with us.