Rating: 
Summary: Changing lives
Review: The book "Turning Stones" is a powerful look into a profession that many people do not understand, the life of a city caseworker. Marc Parent tells his story while he works on the streets of New York City trying to make a difference in the lives of the people he meets. He has to decide whether or not parents are capable of caring for their children. The stories in this book are unsettling at best. They make you wonder what the people in this world are truly capable of. This is a book that people should read because it not only lets us know what some parents are doing, it also lets us into the life of the caseworker. Most people don't know exactly what caseworkers do, this book tells us how they do their jobs and the kinds of situations that they are put into everyday. It is a book that is both wonderful and disturbing. It should definitely be read by all.J.G.
Rating: 
Summary: Turning Stones, an eye opening account
Review: The novel "Turning Stones" by Marc Parent is a powerful tale of Parent's own expierences in the Emergency Children's Services bureau (ECS). Marc worked as child services worker for four years over which he experienced many differenct eye opening horrors. The story is built around actual cases that he has worked on, trying to improve the lives of the kids involved. He describes cases where children were beaten, sexually abused, and mistreated in unimaginal ways. It is true that this book is hard to stomach, but I think it is important that people read it because it's contents are real. With other related cases happening even as you read this review. I gave the book three stars because at times he tended to drift off the purpose of the novel, which I believe is to share with the public the heartbreaking stories of these children. Spending too much time on sidelight transition details. The core of the book, the text containing his accounts in the field, was very well written. He pulled much passion and emotion out of the cases and placed them in the face of the reader. It is an eye opening story of which I would recommend to anyone. Matt C.
Rating: 
Summary: A Very Noble Profession
Review: This book is tragically fantastic. The reality of it slaps you like a ton of bricks. Living in Iowa, I have never dealt with people of this nature. I never knew that it could get that bad; rats running around the apartment while children slept on the floor, drug dealers in the hallways. This book is disturbing to read, but I think everyone needs to read it. I just don't think that people understand the hopelessness that these kids feel everyday of there lives. I know I don't, but Marc Parent does a superb job on this. The detail he uses is great. He will start a story from the kids view, giving the reader a feel of the surroundings, then ease into the actual inccident. He also does a great job of not placing the blame directly on one person. He gives you the information, and then leaves the rest up to you. People in this profession are not getting the recognition they deserve. This is a dangerous but noble profession with little incentives. Marc Parent, if you read this, I would like to shake your hand.
Rating:
Summary: great book sad stories
Review: This is actually Marc Parent's first book but I read it last. I decided after reading "Believing It All" that I wanted to hear more from this author. This is definetly more but much different. The stories moved me. They made me want to do something to make a difference. It was hard for me to go back to my little fiction story after this. The ONLY reason I didn't give this book 5 stars was I wanted to know more about what happened in each situation. Let me put it another way I NEEDED to know more. This one is very thought provoking. Thanks again Marc Parent, please hurry with more of whatever you choose.
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