Praise for Ghost of a Phantom

Without better foster parents, we will never have better outcomes for foster kids. Speaking as a former foster child myself, I have noticed that many current foster parents want a "road map" regarding how to be the best foster parents possible. Thank you, Paula, for giving it to them.

★★★★★

—Lisa Dickson, Founder and Communications Chair, Ohio chapter of Foster Care Alumni of America, (Welcome - Foster Care Alumni of America)

Having Paula Kyle share her personal journey through the foster care system of Knox County, Ohio, with my social work students was one of the most significant class sessions of the semester. Paula told her story from the voice of her twelve-year-old self, transporting each student back to the day Paula and her sisters walked up their driveway to meet their caseworkers and to face the realization that their family would be separated forever. Paula's transparency brought many students to tears and inspired every student to believe that in the midst of adversity, there is hope.

—Trudy Singletary, MSW, Assistant Professor of Social Work, Mount Vernon Nazarene University

Paula has an incredible story to share with people about her life as a child in the foster-care system. With great clarity, she takes us into the system she had to maneuver as a lost child, and her truly heroic attempts to find her siblings brought tears to my eyes. She reminds us that the human spirit is not easily quenched, that one kind word can give hope needed for a child's survival, and she holds all of us accountable for how we look at and treat our children. I would highly recommend this book to people interested in becoming foster parents, to college students who are studying social work, and to parents—sometimes we do not know what we do to those we love.

★★★★★

—Jeanette TFW Pelton, MSW Licensed Institute Social Worker

★★★★★

What an interesting and intensely personal account! I really could not put this book down, as it told of systems and events so close to my home (since I grew up in Knox County and later knew Judith Goodhand; I worked as a school psychologist in the '70s in Knox County). Experiencing the foster-care system, as seen through Paula's eyes, consists of very touching memories, as well as agonizing ones. Her struggles were amazing. I have read many books on abuse and neglect over the years, but this one struck a chord [because I knew] some of the people. Her will to survive through things no child should have to experience (and her eventual growth and adjustment), with help from Judith, her adoptive family, and others, made this book worth reading.

Reading this story was very difficult at times. Many times, I wanted to put the book away, but then I was drawn back to it, wanting to know the outcome. This is a story that anyone who works with children, in any capacity, should read. I recommend this book as reading literature for any childhood education course. When I began my teaching career in 1974, I was not prepared to deal with children who were abused or neglected in any way. Over the years, the schools have made teachers much more aware of the signs [that] should be acted upon immediately. While reading this memoir, I read words from Paula that made me look back over the course of thirty-five years [and] wonder how many signs of neglect I overlooked out of not being trained to notice. This made me very sad. I have called on Children's Services many times to look into situations where I felt something was drastically wrong. In fact, the last day of my teaching career I had to call them concerning a child in my class. I applaud Paula for wanting to get the word out about foster children and foster care. Thank goodness there are many kind families who will open their homes to children in need. I know writing this has been very difficult for her, but it is truly an amazing story.

—Carol Detmer, Special Education Consultant, Northern Kentucky Special Education Cooperative

—Jan Hawkins, retired schoolteacher, Mount Vernon, Ohio

★★★★★

I cannot remember a time when Bonnie Ulrey's influence in matters of faith, and a practical application of that faith in life, did not have a positive effect on my choices and decisions as a young wife and mother. Bonnie's outreach into her community was varied and widespread. She volunteered many hours to enterprises of faith and to nonprofit organizations. She was a good sounding board for serious issues and had a great sense of humor, with a twinkle in her beautiful eyes. Though she was looking forward to Larry's retirement years, having raised four children of their own, it was no surprise to me when she ultimately chose to fit in with her husband's desire that they become foster parents. I do not think Bonnie ever saw a need she did not try to meet or ever shrank from a task others would find daunting. She and Larry believed in the value of each life and looked well to the welfare of others. Paula's account of all she and her sisters suffered was shocking and heartbreaking. They were survivors and overcomers! The sincere efforts made by their social workers, and the readiness of Larry and Bonnie Ulrey to take responsibility for Paula's future, offering the same aid to Sharon and Terry, was the necessary link leading to "life and that more abundant" that we would all desire. The delight is ours; the legacy is theirs!

It was a pleasure to have Paula Kyle visit my U.S. Literature class and introduce her book, Ghost of a Phantom. Paula's story is compelling and her presentation very moving. The students seemed anxious to begin reading the book, which was somewhat of a surprise to me, since many of them are reluctant readers who read below grade level. When I assigned the first chapters of the book, I fully expected to get the usual comments, such as, "Do we have to read this book?"; "Will you read it to us?"; "It looks boring!" etc. Instead, the students began reading immediately and read in absolute silence the entire fifty-minute class period! I was both pleased and surprised. This is a great book for raising awareness about the plight of foster care, and I would especially recommend it for at-risk students and reluctant readers.

—Jolene M. Stulka, retired Executive Director, Knox County Interchurch Social Services

—Rita Dailey, English Instructor, Mount Vernon City Schools