Etched in Sand: A Memoir of Five Siblings Who Overcame a Traumatic Childhood on Long Island

Kerry Cook: The details of how a mother could possibly abuse her own child to this degree is appalling. How Regina survives and reaches her level of success is commendable. How all 5 siblings have not repeated their childhood history is remarkable.
Reticent to recommend this to my book club as the discussion may be disturbing for some whose childhood history may hold very sad memories that none of the rest of us know about or could even guess.

Canada on Mar 06, 2024

Jim W.: I found the story to be so compelling. From a young age she lives in poverty and with such hatred from her “parents” and a very inadequate system which o sure hope has improved by now.

United States on Feb 15, 2024

Brittany: Very very emotional and trauma based book. Cried like 8 times reading it. Finished in 2 days, I couldn’t put it down. I immediately went to purchase “Girl Unbroken” which is the sequel to Etched in Sand written by Regina and her sister, Rosie, putting you through Rosie’s point of view.

It’s a tough read at some points. But Regina and her siblings mindsets throughout it all held so much hope and resilience. And that’s what makes the book addicting.

United States on Feb 10, 2024

Tracey: This book is well written and I related to some of it! Brilliant that they all turned out very well

United Kingdom on Jun 10, 2022

Rhonda: Love true stories

Canada on Jun 12, 2021

blackkettle: I started reading this book as a reluctant reader, having so many books on my bucket list to read and never wanting to waste my time spending an hour reading something that doesn’t enrich, educate, inspire. Having a preconceived notion about any book I begin to read, this one was no different. Having said that, I’ll start by saying what this book is not: it’s not a casual read about the coming of age of women in a man’s world, or another tale of rags-to-riches. It’s not another story about someone behind the 8 ball who is given a second chance at life. This story will beggar your imagination in an attempt to wrap your mind around how a human being in the 20th century could possibly treat her children the way she did, and how those children could possibly withstand the deprivation and degradation that they were exposed to. I constantly had to remind myself that this was taking place in American and in and around the same neighborhoods I grew up in. I was literally brought to tears to see how these sisters and their brother continually elevated their sibling relationship by loving each other on increasing levels that made me realize what my own sibling relationships had...

United States on Aug 02, 2017

Katherine: I couldn't put this book down from the minute I started. It's such an insightful story into the lives of child abuse, it's opened my eyes to what can be happening behind closed doors.
I had so many tears reading of the torture these children had to endure, I pray for the many children in this type of situation and pray that the system will change to help children more.
Well done Regina, you have such a strong spirit.

Australia on Aug 05, 2016

Marti Kelly: But, Etched in Sand in tragic, detrimental ways to children every day, that the system fails them. The fact that ANY child, EVER, must go hungry, be in any kind of abusive situation, be homeless, in THIS country is beyond any kind of reason, or excuse.
While I have tremendous admiration for Regina and her siblings, I find myself questioning where the "system" was for these five children and how they managed to remain off the system's radar? How did the school system not "see" any of these siblings in crisis, landlords, neighbors?
While I most definitely admire Regina' s success, ability to rise above her very abusive, neglectful childhood to become a very successful adult who has not only defied all the odds stacked against her, but is making a difference with her life. I am concerned that her book "glossed" over, and maybe leaves one with the impression that if in a similar situation you should be able to rise above your situation and circumstances and do the same as Regina.
I am certainly not saying Regina is wrong to have written an account of her life. And her account is not wrong, as it depicts her life, and her feelings, and we all know feelings are not right or...

United States on Nov 16, 2014

Alice Ferfer: Great true story how trials and tribulations can be overcome and make you stronger and about how sfrong family ties can be.

Germany on Jul 06, 2014