We were on our way to visit with one of Mom’s friends. The dark gray smoke from the chimneys along this Brooklyn street didn’t have far to travel before blending neatly into the low night sky. It had rained for most of the morning, but now, in the early evening, only a light mist lay heavily in the air. On the long walk from the subway station, she kept tugging at my arm and telling me to walk straight.

It’s unlucky to step on lines and cracks in the sidewalk, but Mom didn’t seem to understand this. I breathed in the crisp cold air of these last days of autumn, and I remembered. I sat on a bench near the seal pool and pressed my hands deep into my pockets.

It may sound strange, but I sought comfort here. And the moment reminds me of the days when this place, this zoo, was my source of refuge, my home. She reminds me greatly of myself when I was eight and unprepared. She’s frail and slight, and somewhat shy. I watched her until she disappeared around the corner of the building. She scampered off toward the rear of the lion house and the bathrooms. You fetch your sisters, and I’ll meet you by the seal pool.” “Go and get them, will you? We have to leave now.” “Where are your sisters?” I asked as I scanned the area for them. She came away from the rail separating her from the snow leopard. This is a true story only the names of the individuals and institutions have been changed. “A MUST FOR EVERY LIBRARY.should be required reading for every couple expecting a child.” “THIS HEARTBREAKING, SHOCKING, ULTIMATELY TRIUMPHANT TALE IS AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT BOOK.” “EVERYONE WHO CARES ABOUT THE QUALITY OF LIFE and the future of nation should read this book.” He had two biological daughters (first marriage), one adopted daughter, (second marriage) and a son (third marriage).“A VALUABLE AND BEAUTIFUL BOOK which addresses issues of concern to everyone-what really does happen to foster children and what allows some children to survive the same emotional trauma that shatters forever the lives of others.” He worked as a New York City policeman, a chauffeur, a theater manager, a magazine pressman, and a short-order cook.īurch was married three times. in forensic psychology from John Jay College in Manhattan, New York City, New York. He also lost his biological brother Jerome, whom he hardly knew. Between 19, Burch stayed in 32 foster homes, moved with his family three times, and stayed with at least three sets of foster parents. Burch's mother, a single parent, first placed her children in foster care in 1949, when Jennings was eight and a half.

Jennings Michael Burch was born in the South Bronx, New York and spent most of his childhood in foster homes. Jennings Michael Burch (Ap– January 15, 2013) was an American writer and author of the 1984 best-selling autobiography They Cage the Animals At Night.

Jennings michael burch