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#1 International Bestseller

Regina’s Calcaterra memoir, Etched in Sand, is an inspiring and triumphant coming-of-age story of tenacity and hope.
 
Regina Calcaterra is a successful lawyer, former New York State official, and foster youth activist. Her painful early life, however, was quite different. Regina and her four siblings survived an abusive and painful childhood only to find themselves faced with the challenges of the foster-care system and intermittent homelessness in the shadows of Manhattan and the Hamptons.
 
A true-life rags-to-riches story, Etched in Sand chronicles Regina’s rising above her past, while fighting to keep her brother and three sisters together through it all.
 
Beautifully written, with heartbreaking honesty, Etched in Sand is an unforgettable reminder that regardless of social status, the American Dream is still within reach for those who have the desire and the determination to succeed.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ William Morrow Paperbacks; Original edition (August 6, 2013)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0062218832
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0062218834
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.8 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 0.9 x 5.2 x 7.9 inches
Reviewer: lizzy
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: wonderful book
Review: This was a great moving book. I read it in three days staying up past 3am. I thought my life was hard. My heart goes out to all of you and would love to hear how you are all doing now. Thanks for sharing.

Reviewer: Marti Kelly
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Lightly, lightly written in sand...
Review: But, Etched in Sand in tragic, detrimental ways to children every day, that the system fails them. The fact that ANY child, EVER, must go hungry, be in any kind of abusive situation, be homeless, in THIS country is beyond any kind of reason, or excuse.While I have tremendous admiration for Regina and her siblings, I find myself questioning where the "system" was for these five children and how they managed to remain off the system's radar? How did the school system not "see" any of these siblings in crisis, landlords, neighbors?While I most definitely admire Regina' s success, ability to rise above her very abusive, neglectful childhood to become a very successful adult who has not only defied all the odds stacked against her, but is making a difference with her life. I am concerned that her book "glossed" over, and maybe leaves one with the impression that if in a similar situation you should be able to rise above your situation and circumstances and do the same as Regina.I am certainly not saying Regina is wrong to have written an account of her life. And her account is not wrong, as it depicts her life, and her feelings, and we all know feelings are not right or wrong, they are just what we feel. And I am not saying she should not have a written account of her life as it occurred.I just wonder where the balance might be for those children who do not have four siblings and/or the same encouragement from teachers, etc.Now, lest someone think I am speaking in complete oblivion, I would like to share that I worked as a social worker for 20+ yrs with the first part of my career in child protective services/ foster care system. I investigated physical abuse/ neglect, sexual abuse task force team in my county, worked with intact families to hook them with available services to keep children in the home, worked with terminating parental rights to free children for adoption so they did not linger in the system and thus "age out of" the system.My point being, I am not ignorant of how the system works, and how it does not work. Do I think Regina and her siblings would have "faired" any better in the system and if the system had intervened? Not necessarily. Unfortunately I am all too aware of the abuse, physical, sexual, mental, neglect that occurs in the system. I, unequivocally, can say that the system can at times do more harm than good. But, it also, can stop a child's abuse, neglect and give them the solid, secure foundation they need to flourish.The system absolutely failed Regina, but what it then went on to do to Rosie was downright criminal. When I worked investigations our supervisors worked under the rule of, we always erred on the side of the child. This was not to say the adult was automatically guilty, but that for everyone's protection we would first and foremost protect the child. So in Rosie' s case there would have been too much "smoke", where there's smoke there's fire, and she would have been removed from the situation until we could better assess her safety, which most of the time allowed the child to speak freely in a safe environment away from the person(s) abusing them.Maybe Regina' s book leaves me feeling ashamed that I was a part of a system that could leave her and her siblings in a situation of ongoing abuse and neglect and allow it to continue on and on.

Reviewer: Happyslapper
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Riveting, terrifying, heartbreaking and yet...courageous!
Review: Do not fail to read this book. Regina's story takes place on Long Island, where people tend to think "nothing like this happens here". Well, it does. This tale takes us on a journey of her own personal heartbreak, terror, and the constant fear she has for the well being of her siblings who she believes she must protect. Her mother is an abusive, alcoholic who beats and verbally abuses her children. She often leaves them either alone, or totally homeless to fend for themselves.Regina takes it upon herself, after her sisters leave to protect the little ones, Rosie and Norman. But she eventually reports this abuse when she is beaten so brutally that her younger siblings are removed from her presence. She is placed in foster homes, where she is sexually abused. What rang true with this book is that the author not only tells her tale with conviction, but she delineates all the emotions she feels such as guilt, hatred and love towards her mother, and a desire to find her real father.Indeed she does, but only after she goes to court and he rejects her. But the knowing is everything. This is a story of perseverance in every aspect of her life to succeed and reconcile with her siblings after her mother passes away. In the shadow of affluent Long Island where people turn the other cheek (I grew up there), the author takes us on one powerful emotional ride; one that will may you cry, and make you cringe, but on the other hand, admire her courage to handle all she handled successfully. Law school, college, followed by highly successful positions in government. The identification in my life with parts of this book was so painful, I almost put it down, but I am glad I didn't. It is a healthy thing to purge your demons, and I am certain that Regina felt that way in sharing her story with us all.This is a story of true survival, and a lesson for us all any time we may lose hope. You have done us all a great service by writing this book, Regina, and thank you for allowing us to become such a part of your story with you.

Reviewer: Tiff De Jong
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: An amazing story of perseverance. What the author goes through in her life, no child should have to deal with, but sadly way to many do. Regina writes with such truth and honesty, almost bringing me to tears at parts but throughout she has an amazing spirit bringing her to overcome the cards dealt to her in life. Anyone that loves memoirs like I do will love this book!

Reviewer: Tracey
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: This book is well written and I related to some of it! Brilliant that they all turned out very well

Reviewer: Alice Ferfer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Great true story how trials and tribulations can be overcome and make you stronger and about how sfrong family ties can be.

Reviewer: Katherine
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I couldn't put this book down from the minute I started. It's such an insightful story into the lives of child abuse, it's opened my eyes to what can be happening behind closed doors.I had so many tears reading of the torture these children had to endure, I pray for the many children in this type of situation and pray that the system will change to help children more.Well done Regina, you have such a strong spirit.

Reviewer: Amazon Customer
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: It's a good book. Her story is powerful and demonstrates how absolutely flawed social services system is. Absolutely unimaginable what her and her siblings suffered but the best part of this book is her message about family.