Read Cathy Glass Books In Order : Every Fan MUST Know!
By Kathy | Last Updated on May 6, 2026
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Cathy Glass is a name synonymous with gripping and heartfelt memoirs, primarily centered around the theme of fostering and adoption. Over the years, her books have captured the attention of readers worldwide due to their raw, emotional depth and vivid storytelling. Written with a unique balance of compassion, resilience, and honesty, Cathy Glass’ memoirs resonate with anyone interested in understanding the challenges and rewards of fostering children in the UK. With an impressive portfolio of books, her work transcends a simple narrative, touching on complex psychological, emotional, and social issues that impact both children and the adults who care for them.
Her writing provides not only an inside look into the life of a foster parent but also gives voice to the experiences of children who have suffered trauma, neglect, and abuse. If you’re a fan of heartfelt true stories that tug at the heartstrings, then Cathy Glass’ books might be exactly what you’re looking for. Let’s dive into the background of her works, explore the best reading order, and assess whether Cathy Glass’ books should be read in sequence.
Contents
List Of Cathy Glass Books In Order
| Damaged (2007) | Details |
| Hidden (2008) | Details |
| Cut (2009) | Details |
| The Girl in the Mirror (2010) | Details |
| I Miss Mummy (2011) | Details |
| Mummy Told Me Not to Tell (2012) | Details |
| No One to Turn To (2013) | Details |
| Please Don’t Take My Baby (2014) | Details |
| The Saddest Girl in the World (2015) | Details |
| The Silent Cry (2016) | Details |
| A Long Way from Home (2017) | Details |
| The Child Bride (2018) | Details |
| A Baby’s Cry (2019) | Details |
| The Foster Carer (2020) | Details |
| The Girl in the Cellar (2021) | Details |
| The Escape (2022) | Details |
More On Cathy Glass Books In Chronological Order
1. Damaged (2007)
This one is Cathy Glass’s first memoir, and it introduces you to the heartbreaking and moving story of ’Jodie.’ A troubled young girl who’s been through the worst kind of trauma-abuse, neglect, and unimaginable experiences. Cathy takes her into care and tries to break through the walls Jodie has put up over the years. It’s raw, emotional, and absolutely gripping, giving you an inside look into the hard, painful, but rewarding work that foster carers do to try and heal children who’ve seen the worst of the world.
2. Hidden (2008)
’Hidden’ is all about ’Lucy,’ a girl who, just like Jodie in ’Damaged,’ has endured some unspeakable abuse. What makes this one even harder to read is the sheer volume of trauma Lucy carries with her. Cathy really pulls back the curtain on the long-lasting effects of abuse, as she fosters Lucy and works with her to rebuild trust and a sense of safety. It’s another heartbreaking but inspiring journey of transformation and healing.
3. Cut (2009)
’Cut’ is a tough one. It focuses on the story of a girl named ’Tina’ who self-harms as a way to cope with the trauma in her life. Cathy’s attempt to support Tina through therapy and counseling is nothing short of emotional. You’ll feel her pain as Tina tries to navigate the emotional scars left by her troubled upbringing. If you’re looking for a real story about emotional healing and the courage it takes to face your demons, this one is it.
4. The Girl in the Mirror (2010)
’The Girl in the Mirror’ follows the story of a girl named ’Tanya,’ who, like many of Cathy’s other foster children, has a history of abuse. But Tanya’s story is also one of resilience. Cathy helps her uncover the strength she never knew she had, as Tanya learns to trust people again. There’s a lot of reflection, literally, in this one-about identity, trauma, and the difficult path of rediscovering who you are after abuse.
5. I Miss Mummy (2011)
This is one of Cathy Glass’s more emotional books, focusing on a little girl named ’Jemima,’ whose biggest wish is to be with her mum. But her mum is struggling with addiction, and Jemima is stuck in a system where no one can give her the stability she needs. This book dives deep into the heartbreaking cycle of addiction and how it impacts children. Cathy’s care for Jemima helps the young girl see hope again, despite the tough circumstances.
6. Mummy Told Me Not to Tell (2012)
In ’Mummy Told Me Not to Tell,’ Cathy becomes involved with the story of a little boy named ’Max,’ who has been keeping a horrifying secret-his own mother has been abusing him. This book highlights the secrets children keep to protect their parents, and it’s a heart-wrenching account of the trust Cathy has to rebuild with Max. It’s a story of speaking out and overcoming the shame and fear that often comes with abuse.
7. No One to Turn To (2013)
’No One to Turn To’ introduces us to ’Sarah,’ a young girl whose life has been filled with neglect and constant change. In the book, Sarah’s emotional and mental state is fragile, and Cathy faces the tough challenge of helping her deal with abandonment issues, fears, and anger. It’s a powerful story about the importance of having someone reliable to lean on when everything seems to fall apart.
8. Please Don’t Take My Baby (2014)
In ’Please Don’t Take My Baby,’ Cathy looks after ’Tina,’ a young mum who, despite her best intentions, can’t provide her baby with a safe and stable home. Tina’s struggles are real, as she faces addiction and violence in her own life, and Cathy is there to help guide her through her battle to keep her baby. It’s a book that looks at the complexities of motherhood, the struggles of addiction, and the heartbreaking reality of kids who just want a better life.
9. The Saddest Girl in the World (2015)
’The Saddest Girl in the World’ is a tearjerker, as it focuses on the story of ’April,’ a little girl who has experienced more heartache than any child should. April has been through abuse, neglect, and rejection, and Cathy is tasked with caring for her while she navigates her way through the emotional wreckage. This book is a really tough read, but it’s one of Cathy’s more uplifting ones as April slowly finds her way to healing.
10. The Silent Cry (2016)
In ’The Silent Cry,’ Cathy cares for ’Sally,’ a young girl who’s been in and out of foster care, bouncing between homes and never feeling truly safe. The book reveals the silent pain of a child who has faced a lot of uncertainty. It’s one of those stories that explores the devastating effects of living with anxiety, and how Cathy works with Sally to help her overcome the invisible scars she carries.
11. A Long Way from Home (2017)
’A Long Way from Home’ tells the story of a young girl named ’Ruth,’ who has faced horrors in her short life, including abandonment and mistreatment. Cathy takes Ruth into her care and must work with her to overcome deep emotional and psychological trauma. The book touches on themes of recovery, belonging, and the slow process of building trust after such a turbulent past.
12. The Child Bride (2018)
This one dives into the story of ’Isha,’ a young girl caught in the cycle of abuse and forced marriage in a community where tradition trumps personal choice. It’s one of Cathy’s more shocking stories, revealing the hidden world of child brides and the trauma they endure. Cathy’s work with Isha is heartbreaking, yet inspiring as Isha fights for her freedom and safety.
13. A Baby’s Cry (2019)
’A Baby’s Cry’ follows the story of ’Maddie,’ a young woman who has a baby but struggles to care for her due to her own past trauma. Cathy’s role in Maddie’s life is pivotal as she helps guide her through the challenges of motherhood while also battling her own demons. It’s a moving story of second chances, healing, and breaking free from the past.
14. The Foster Carer (2020)
In ’The Foster Carer,’ Cathy talks about her journey in fostering, sharing her experiences, challenges, and triumphs with her own foster children. It’s a bit of a departure from her usual case studies but just as emotional. Cathy reflects on what it truly means to be a foster carer, and what it takes to help children in care feel safe, heard, and loved.
15. The Girl in the Cellar (2021)
’The Girl in the Cellar’ is one of Cathy’s more dramatic memoirs, based on the true story of a young girl who was kept locked away in a cellar by her parents. The book explores the girl’s horrific years of isolation, and Cathy’s role in helping her start to rebuild a life outside of that confined world. It’s an intense, unforgettable read that’s hard to put down.
16. The Escape (2022)
’The Escape’ focuses on a girl named ’Sophie,’ who’s been living in a controlling, abusive environment and finally breaks free from it. Cathy helps Sophie adjust to her new life, but the journey isn’t easy. It’s about empowerment, overcoming fear, and rebuilding your life after it’s been shattered.
Background On Cathy Glass Books
Cathy Glass is an established British author, best known for her non-fiction works detailing her experiences as a foster carer. Her books have been widely praised for their authenticity and compelling narratives, making her a leading voice in the genre of memoirs related to fostering, adoption, and child welfare. Starting her career in the 1990s, Glass worked as a foster carer for over 25 years, opening her home to vulnerable children who needed temporary or long-term care. She was soon inspired to write about her experiences, which led to the publication of her first book, Damaged, in 2007.
Cathy’s books primarily focus on individual children who have experienced trauma-whether through abuse, neglect, or other challenging life situations-and how she, as a foster carer, was able to offer them a chance at healing. Her storytelling is unique in that it combines personal anecdotes with professional insights, making her work both educational and deeply personal. The books are not written in a way that is overly clinical but instead are driven by empathy and the genuine desire to help readers understand the complexities of trauma recovery.
Throughout her career, Cathy Glass has penned a variety of books, most of which follow a similar structure: an exploration of a foster child’s difficult background, their troubled journey to healing, and the impact of Cathy’s care. However, each book is centered around a specific child or case, offering fresh perspectives on the trials and tribulations of the foster care system. Popular books like Hidden and I Miss Mummy quickly gained traction and secured Cathy a place on the best-sellers list. Many of her books have been adapted for television, further solidifying her role as one of the most prominent voices in fostering-related literature.
Reading Order Explained
While Cathy Glass’ books can generally be read as standalone pieces, following them in a specific order can deepen the reader’s understanding of the nuances in her writing and the themes she explores. The order in which you read the books can provide a sense of progression as you witness Cathy’s evolution as a foster carer, as well as how her approach to fostering changes and grows over time.
The first book, Damaged, introduces readers to the foster care system through the story of a deeply troubled young girl named Jodie. Jodie’s story serves as a potent starting point for those new to Cathy Glass, as it provides a raw and heart-wrenching introduction to the themes of trauma and recovery.
Following Damaged, there are many other books that either follow individual stories of foster children or revisit the same children over time to show their progress. Some notable titles to consider after Damaged are Hidden, The Girl in the Mirror, and I Miss Mummy. Each one uncovers a new facet of Cathy’s experience, with recurring themes of hope, healing, and the ongoing challenges that children face in care. For readers who want to explore the development of certain cases, it is advisable to read these books in order of publication to appreciate how Cathy’s experiences evolve and how the lives of the children she fosters progress.
However, not all of Cathy Glass’ books are directly connected in terms of the children they focus on. Several of her books delve into new cases, so reading the books in publication order doesn’t necessarily require a fixed continuity. That being said, starting with Damaged and then following subsequent books will create a more cohesive narrative thread, especially for those interested in understanding the broader journey of foster care that Cathy navigates.
What I Like About The Series?
One of the most striking qualities of Cathy Glass’ books is her ability to weave emotional depth into each story, making each one feel profoundly personal while also educating readers about important social issues. Her writing is accessible yet thought-provoking, and she has an uncanny ability to make the complexities of trauma and child welfare understandable for a broad audience. Here are some aspects of her work that I particularly appreciate:
- Empathy and Sensitivity: Cathy Glass’ deep empathy for the children she fosters shines through in every page. She does not write from a place of judgment, but from a deep understanding of the psychological and emotional wounds her foster children carry. Her sensitivity to their experiences makes each story feel genuine, making her books both heart-wrenching and inspiring.
- Real-life Accounts: Each book offers an authentic and unflinching portrayal of the struggles faced by children in the care system. Cathy never shies away from telling the hard truths, and her dedication to presenting these real-life accounts with honesty has earned her widespread respect.
- Hope and Healing: Despite the often dark subject matter, Cathy Glass’ books consistently highlight the themes of hope, recovery, and the power of compassionate care. The stories remind us that even in the most desperate situations, there is always the potential for growth and healing.
- Insight into the Foster Care System: Many readers are unfamiliar with the complexities of fostering, and Cathy’s books shed light on the challenges and rewards of working within the child welfare system. Her detailed portrayal of the bureaucracy and emotional toll of fostering is informative and helps foster a deeper understanding of the system.
- Inspiring Resilience: The children in Cathy’s books are resilient beyond measure. They endure unimaginable trauma, but through Cathy’s care and support, they often make incredible progress. Her portrayal of resilience, both in the children and in herself, is deeply moving and empowering.
Should You Read Cathy Glass Books In Order?
While Cathy Glass’ books can be read as standalone stories, reading them in order offers a richer, more connected experience. Each book provides a window into a different aspect of foster care, and the books in the series are thematically intertwined. By following the chronological order, you will be able to track Cathy’s growth as a foster carer and her evolving understanding of the children she cares for.
If you are particularly interested in the development of certain characters, reading in order can also help maintain continuity, especially when Cathy revisits a case or shares updates on a former foster child. However, for those who simply want to explore specific stories, you may feel free to pick up any book in her collection, as each one can stand on its own merit.
For those new to Cathy Glass, I recommend starting with Damaged as it sets the stage for the themes that run through much of her work. From there, you can explore other books based on personal interest or the specific challenges each child faces in her care.