Book Review: Etched in Sand by Regina Calcaterra

Etched in Sand
A True Story of Five Siblings Who Survived an Unspeakable Childhood on Long Island
Author: Regina Calcaterra

Reading Level: Non-Fiction

Genre: Autobiography | Memoir

Released: August 6th 2013

Review Source: William Morrow

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, New York State official, and 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.

To write someone else life into a review is very hard to do. Regina Calcaterra is on heck of an amazing person. She is a true survivor. This book is about her life and siblings surviving the foster system.

This is an inspiring story of how Regina overcomes an incredible difficult life growing up. Her mother is an abusive person. She abandons her kids for week, leaving them alone to feed on their own. Gosh, how I hated this lady! With all of the inappropriate name calling, how could someone be so cruel with their own children?

At the age of eleven, Regina had to take the role of mother to take care of her siblings. She had to shoplift to provide them food. She had to go through embarrassing moments throughout school. Indeed, she had a very difficult childhood.

There are many heartbreaking moments. One of these is the part where she explains what foster care means:

“To me, being a foster kid is a little bit like being a dog: You have no control over the kind of family who will take you. Even if you’re treated badly, it’s possible no one will ever find out the truth and come rescue you”.

No one should go through this. No one should ever be treated like this.

Although this is a difficult book to read, this is an inspiring story. We can learn that anyone, even with a difficult childhood, can overcome anything. Regina believed and is now a very successful woman.