This heartwarming story is perfect for any parent or child who is trying to understand the experience of being a foster child. For someone who was unfamiliar with the process and feelings associated, this book really helps paint a picture of what it is like to be a foster child.
The symbology of the sweater is beautiful; something that she is given from her birth mother, desperately holds on to, and takes with her like a memory to many other homes. As it unravels she begins to let go of her anger, sadness and fear and learns to love a new family. I LOVE how the author brings it full circle at the end and shows the main character as a grown up, taking the remnants from her old yellow sweater and knitting it into a new colorful sweater for her own child. This really is a story of hope, which is what Speranza means in Italian.
This story is wonderfully written, and I like that the author explained the feelings associated with this experience. For example, she explains the sadness associated with missing birth parents and siblings, the guilt involved with loving another family, confusion of new places and things, and anger towards birth parents for not keeping promises. By explaining why these feelings occurred it reassures the child that it is okay to experience this wide array of feelings.
The book also has a helpful glossary at the end to help explain words that are commonly used around foster children such as adopt, foster care, forever family, foster parents, and social worker. I highly recommend this book, not only for foster children and their caregivers but for others who are would like to learn about experiences and upbringings that may be different than their own. I believe that by having compassion for others and opening our minds to what others experience we grow as human beings.
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About the Author
Marcy Pusey, CRC, is a clinical counselor, best-selling author, wife, and mommy. Marcy’s writing has appeared in newspapers, magazines, blog posts, children’s books, and books for adults internationally. She has been a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators for nearly a decade. Marcy has written books for adults, such as “Reclaiming Hope: Overcoming the Challenges of Parenting Foster and Adopted Children” and books for children, such as “Tercules” “According to Corban” and “Speranza’s Sweater,” and a journal: “Castle Quest.” 
She uses a decade of experience writing and publishing for children to edit, critique, and coach other writers and their work, specializing in children’s literature.
She lives in the Black Forest of Germany with her husband and children. You can learn more about Marcy at www.marcypusey.com.