Charlotte Hardwick has compiled one -hundred -and -ninety letters that were written from children, of all ages, to the judge overseeing their parents’ divorce cases. While the letters are written because of divorce, each of the letters speaks of very personal situations. I have chosen to read and review this book because some of the children wrote to the judge about the abuse they were enduring from one or both of their parents.

Divorce is certainly enough to create chaos in a child’s life; however, to have to deal with ongoing abuse in the midst of the divorce makes it even harder. Some children wrote letters to the judge explaining how difficult things are at home. For some kids, they experienced both parents saying harsh and nasty things about the other parent. For other kids, while at unsupervised visitations with one parent, they were abused in some form or another.

I believe this book is a must- read for everyone that works with children in abusive situations. When the victim of domestic violence leaves their abuser, and seeks out a divorce, it can be a dangerous time for the victim and their children. The abuser often becomes further abusive in an attempt to maintain control over their spouse and children. Sadly, many abusers often carry their abuse into the courtroom, during divorce proceedings, and use the legal system to further abuse their victims.

Some of the letters in this book will bring tears to your eyes. Others will leave you feeling the level of frustration that the child feels. Some of the letters speak volumes to your heart, even though they have been written at an elementary school level, or in a single sentence.

I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking to gain a better understanding of what children endure while their parents are in the midst of a divorce. This book will help the reader to gain insight into the added difficulties that victims of child abuse experience. If anyone is seeking to gain knowledge or understanding of how divorce affects children, especially if abuse is involved, I recommend this book. This book can teach the readers what the statement, “in the best interest of the child,” really means.