Broken

A traumatised girl. Her troubled brother. Their shocking secret.

By: Rosie Lewis

Narrated by: Madeline Gould

Nine-year-old Archie and his five-year-old sister, Bobbi, are taken into emergency police protective custody after an incident of domestic violence at their family home.

Rosie collects the children from their out-of-hours foster carer on New Year’s Day and instantly recognises Archie from a domestic violence workshop she helped with. Rosie remembers that when asked what he enjoyed most about the course, Archie said: ‘the biscuits’.

Social workers are concerned that Archie and Bobbi have been neglected. As Rosie gets to know the children, she begins to suspect that something far more disturbing lies in their past.

Archie, jovial and polite, bats away Rosie’s attempts to talk to him about anything serious with witty one-liners and sophisticated distractions. Bobbi reacts violently, lashing out and throwing herself around. Rosie has never seen a child as young a Bobbi behaving so viciously, but it is Archie she is most concerned about as the weeks go by.

After a worrying incident at school, Archie tearfully discloses the truth – a shocking secret that has left him and his sister traumatised. Horrified at what she learns, Rosie is determined to help the young siblings find a forever-home that will provide them with the love and care they deserve.

Critic reviews

'On every page there is the mark of someone who has spent many long hours in the trenches of child protection, but has not allowed it to deaden her passion and energy.’
Shane Dunphy

ok

it was anticlimatic. I would have liked to know more about the child's lives after they left the authors care

Absolutely amazing from start to finish!

This book was written and read in such a way that I felt like I was sitting at a kitchen table, drinking a tea with the narrator. I don't usually write reviews but this one warranted it. I found myself taking the long way home to listen to more. Finished in 2 days. Highly recommend.

Sad story

A good book for care givers in the system. Yet hard to believe the patience exhibited. God bless our little children in this world.

Grade grade

I just love these books… Real life events happen every day like this. I learn so much from these books and it helps me to treat others the way I would want to be treated. I’m

just okay

was only read with a minor amount of engagement. I often found myself wondering when we switched charterer speakers. Also, very surprised when major bombs were dropped but the story and reader just glazed over them like nothing happened.