Barbara J. Johnson

Angel Child Barbara J. Johnson

Many young people blame their bad childhood experiences, as the reason life owes them. Some young people also reason that life has given them fewer chances to succeed, so they turn to crime or drugs or find themselves involved in toxic relationships. It is a young girl's determination to survive in the foster care system that is the theme of Angel Child. Maggie Johnson arrives at her new residence in the winter of 1948. Only four years old, she is very confused when she and her two siblings, an older sister Karen, and a younger brother John are introduced to their foster mother Mrs. Hudson, by Miss Smith, the social worker who brings the children to the house. Maggie is also surprised to find a baby girl at the house who is not related to her. She learns that this is her foster sister, Ellen. Ellen is six months old at the time of Maggie's arrival. Mrs. Hudson has taken approximately twenty foster children into her home over the years. She is now an older woman and is becoming tired of keeping children. Miss Smith is grateful to have Mrs. Hudson take the four children.