"Wards of the State" is an insightful review of the flaws of foster care, especially those inherent to the institution even when implemented correctly. It frames these through the experiences of former foster children now feeling those repercussions as adults, including several who have become activists for change. I appreciated the nuanced insight into the reforms to both foster care and the juvenile criminal justice system and the understanding that, while some changes are common sense, such a complicated situation cannot be easily resolved.
The book was let down in places by narrative passages from the point of view of the foster children, as it's unclear whether these are direct accounts by the featured individuals or if the author has fictionalized their experiences. If you skim these sections, particularly the beginning of the first chapter, the reporting in the rest of the book is worthwhile.
Content warning: due to the nature of the subject, this book tackles many intense topics such as child abuse frequently and in-depth.
Thank you to Abrams Press for providing a free Advanced Reader Copy of this book via NetGalley in return for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
I've read quite a few books on foster care and how it fails the kids. But this book digs deep and really shows the link between foster kids and prison. The various former foster kids that were focused on had difficult stories but so many of them took their past and are trying to make positive changes.

Have you wondered why the existing U.S. foster care system is so broken? This book answers that, and more. Why is there a foster care to prison pipeline? Why do so many foster kids end up homeless as adults? What can we do to make positive change in the lives of these children who deserve so much more? Read this thoroughly researched book to find out!

Claudia Rowe weaved a story of societal inadequacies worthy of a Jonathan Kozol story. Instead of a book filled with statistics and third person opinions, she introduced the reader to real people. Real children who do what they need to do in order to survive. Is it always right? Of course not. But would I do the same? Maybe…I am grateful I will never have to find out.
I am left wondering about Maryanne….

I'm fascinated with books like this and appreciate the author's authentic approach to uncovering more about the children and the fostering system. Well done. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.