Calli

Calli By Jessica Lee Anderson Calli By Jessica Lee Anderson Milkweed Editions, 2011, ISBN: 978-1-57131-702-5, 184 pages, $16.95 An only child living with her biological mother and her mother’s girlfriend, Calli is launched into the world of siblings when her mom and partner Liz decide to become foster parents. The book, “Calli” follows this teen girl’s journey as she adjusts to suddenly having a sibling, sharing her house, and navigating the tumultuous waters of building a relationship with a same-aged stranger with a difficult background. Calli’s story explores the challenges foster parents often face when they open their hearts and their homes to children in the foster care system and some of the difficulties that can occur with their own biological children in the process. “Calli” is a well-written book that provides a new perspective, that of a child whose parents decide to foster children in the child welfare system. While originally I felt that “Calli” perpetuated some of the stereotypes and myths of foster parenting, after some thinking I decided the book actually depicted what could very possibly be a real glimpse at some of the challenges families face when they decide to foster children. “Calli” could actually serve as a nice window into the experiences of children in foster care for the young adult reader. I’m not sure most children currently in foster care would like the book, but teens of parents that are currently foster parenting might be able to relate to Calli’s experience and perspective. Many times parents want to know what kind of impact foster parenting may have on their biological children and this book might help them get a sense of what that experience may be. “Calli” is a good book with an interesting perspective — definitely a worth-while read. — Review by Kim Phagan-Hansel