Books including characters in foster care placements

At Literacy Tree, we believe that it’s crucial to expose children to a diverse range of voices and experiences through the books they encounter. This helps to communicate to all children that people with lives similar to their own are seen, heard and valued in society and it also helps to develop understanding, compassion and empathy for experiences unlike their own.

This is especially important for children in foster care placements, of which there are more than 100,000 across the United Kingdom*. Capturing, representing and sharing the diverse experiences of children in foster placements can communicate that such experiences are not uncommon and that there are many reasons why a child may need to live apart from their parent(s) for an amount of time. It may help a child in a foster placement to feel that their experiences are recognised, seen and heard in society and that they are not alone. In addition, it may help to educate children about foster care placements in a way that builds understanding, empathy and compassion. 

Here are some of our favourite books which feature characters who are in, or have experienced, different types of foster care placements.

Argo and Me by  Chandra Ghosh Ippen

This powerful picture book explores themes of trust, security and empathy through the parallel experiences of a young boy who has previously been in foster care and his new dog, Argo, which he adopts from an animal shelter. The narrator’s own journey of fostering and adoption help him – and the reader – to understand Argo as he slowly, and not always smoothly, settles into the family.

 Themes and links: animals, anger, empathy, love, parent-child relationships, security, trust.

Sputnik’s Guide to Life on Earth by Frank Cottrell-Boyce

When Prez goes to stay with the Blythe family for the summer, the last thing he expects is the arrival of a small, loud alien called Sputnik – who only he can understand – announcing that Earth is about to be destroyed. This hilarious book follows Prez and Sputnik on their eventful quest to save the planet, while also exploring the touching relationship that Prez has with his grandfather.

Themes and links: acceptance, belonging, fantasy, friendship, grandparent-grandchild relationships, illness, kindness, space, young carers.

Little Bits of Sky by S.E. Durrant

Set in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Little Bits of Sky follows siblings Ira and Zac as they navigate the practical and emotional challenges of growing up in care placements while also capturing the support, love and moments of joy that they encounter along the way. The authenticity of Ira’s voice sings out in this beautiful novel, as does the powerful strength of a sibling bond.

 Themes and links: adoption, animals, belonging, hope, kindness, love, pet bereavement, rejection, sibling relationships.

Snow Foal by Susanna Bailey

When eleven-year-old Addie is placed with a foster family in the countryside, she struggles to cope with being away from her mother with complete strangers in unfamiliar surroundings. However, when tasked with nursing a vulnerable foal back to health, Addie begins to find ways to confront her feelings of anger and rejection and to instead find love and acceptance from others and within herself.

Themes and links: abandonment, acceptance, addiction, adoption, animals, friendship, kindness, LGBTQ+ representation, nature, rejection.

How to Save the World with a Chicken and an Egg by Emma Shivah

Ivy has a not-so-secret talent: she can communicate with animals. She can tell when they are happy, when they are uncomfortable and when they need her help. When Ivy meets Nathaniel, who arrives in Suffolk to stay with his estranged mother, initial mistrust slowly grows into friendship as the pair bond over their passion for wildlife and their determination to save the planet in any small way they can.

 Themes and links: animals, belonging, environment, friendship, love, mystery, nature, neurodiversity, parent-child relationships.

The House with a Dragon in it by Nick Lake

When a hole appears in the middle of the living room, Summer and her foster family are not sure what to make of it. That is, until Summer discovers the secrets that the hole contains: a very unusual witch who grants her three wishes. As she begins to enjoy the benefits of her wishes, Summer realises there is a sinister side to the witch and her promises… but can she put a stop to her before it’s too late?

Themes and links: abandonment, belonging, fantasy, friendship, history, identity, kindness, magic, mystery.

Scarlet Ibis by Gill Lewis

This moving story follows twelve-year-old Scarlet, who helps care for both her mother and younger brother Red, until the family is split up and the siblings are sent to separate foster placements. Scarlet struggles to cope with the conflicting emotions of feeling safe and accepted while also deeply missing her brother and mother. But will her determination to reunite the family pay off, or cause more harm than good?

 Themes and links: animals, belonging, friendship, hope, identity, kindness, mental health, nature, neurodivergence, sibling relationships, young carers.

Extraordinary Birds by Sandy Stark-McGinnis

Extraordinary Birds tells the story of eleven-year-old December who copes with the scars of her past through a fascination with birds and a belief that she will one day take flight. Having experienced multiple foster placements throughout her childhood, she is reluctant to trust her new foster carer, Eleanor. But can patience, compassion and a mutual love of birds help December to discover a world she doesn’t wish to escape?

Themes and links: adoption, animals, belonging, friendship, hope, identity, kindness, LGBTQ+ representation, mental health, trust.

• Sources: Department for Education, 2022; Department of Health Northern Ireland, 2023

Posted in: Book Lists