Guest Blog-Why Fiction Belongs on Every Foster Family’s Bookshelf by Amanda Zieba

The Power of Storytelling

When someone wants to learn something new, they usually turn to nonfiction—a book, a podcast, a trusted expert, or an online resource. But what if there’s another way?

I believe fiction isn’t just entertainment. As an educator, author, and reader, fiction has often been my greatest teacher when I’ve faced hard things.

Let me show you what I mean.  

• From Rules by Cynthia Lord, I learned what it’s like to have a brother with autism—and how to navigate life in a way that honors both his needs and mine.


• From Wild Bird by Wendelin Van Draanen, I learned how loneliness can push someone toward destructive choices—and how wilderness therapy can lead them back to their true self.


• From Nowhere Boy by Katherine Marsh, I learned what it’s like to be a refugee child, dependent on the kindness of someone who doesn’t even speak my same language.​

Through stories I have learned beyond my own experiences… about grief, living without family members who are imprisoned, eating disorders, being a child to a parent who has an addiction, living in a war zone, being the new kid at school. But not just hard things, good things too! Through stories I have also made an unexpected friend, traveled to a foreign country, won a baking contest, gone to summer camp, written to an international pen pal, made the team, and solved the mystery. 

Fiction isn't just a relaxing pastime or hobby —it’s a tool for healing, understanding, and connection. This lesson can absolutely be applied to foster families.

How Fiction Helps Foster Youth Feel Seen
In the book world, we talk about windows and mirrors… how some books are like windows and let us take a peek into a world we’ve never seen before, while others act as a mirror, reflecting ourselves back to us, letting us know we are seen and most definitely not the only one who has been where we are and feel like we feel. Books that act as windows and mirrors are equally powerful.

For foster parents and siblings, books about children living in foster care (and in the difficult situations prior to arriving in foster care) can be windows that help us better see, understand and empathize. 

For children and teens in foster care, books featuring main characters facing challenges, emotions and fears similar to their own can act as a mirror, reflecting back an image that is familiar. These books can show them they are not alone. 

Fiction allows us to explore tough emotions in a safe, indirect way.

Recommended Reading: A Short List to Start With
If you’re on board and ready to give this fiction strategy a try, here are several titles (for a variety of ages) that will help you put it into action.  Each of the books listed below have a read aloud video linked so readers can give them a try to see if they are a good fit. 

Pro Tip: Add a trip to the bookstore, complete with a sweet treat from the cafe/bakery to solidify reading as an enjoyable experience! 

NOTE: SEE CANVA GRAPHICS FOR VISUAL VERSIONS OF THIS LIST.

Picture Books
Murphy’s Three Homes: A Story for Children in Foster Care By Jan Levinson GilmanSperanza’s Sweater: A Child’s Journey Through Foster Care and Adoption By Marcy PuseyStellaluna by Jenell Cannon

Middle Grade (grades 4-8)
The Barren Grounds by David Robertson
Closer to Nowhere by Ellen Hopkins
Fighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Free Verse by Sarah Dooley
Greetings from Witness Protection by Jake Burt
One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

YA/TEEN
Gather by Kenneth M. Cadow
Life in the Passenger Seat by Amanda Zieba 
What I Carry by Jennifer Longo

For reluctant readers, try adding an audiobook to the physical copy of the story. 

You may have noticed my name on the reading list. Life in the Passenger Seat (https://amandazieba.com/lips) is a young adult novel about a high school gymnast who finds herself in foster care. While it began as a story centered around gymnastics, it quickly grew to include the layered realities of life in foster care. My hope is that both teen and adult readers see themselves in its pages—recognizing that everyone has their own journey, and that stepping into the driver’s seat of your life is a powerful choice. At the same time, I want readers to know it’s okay to need support along the way. If this story offers even a small spark of courage or helps someone keep moving forward, then it’s done its job. If you’re looking for a book that reflects the complexity, resilience, and hope found in the foster care experience, I’d be honored for you to include it on your shelf. 

To purchase a copy of this book, or any of the ones mentioned in this article, click HERE 

Conversation Starters and Connection Builders
Perhaps one of the most powerful ways of using fiction to help you navigate the hard pieces of foster care is the shared reading experience. Instead of having to confront those hard things head on, you can indirectly discuss the issue via the characters and fictional situations without feeling too confrontational. 

Fiction can spark meaningful conversations—without feeling confrontational.
Here are a few general questions that you can use to start these conversations. (Pro Tip, slide these questions into conversation casually, while in the car together or while doing dishes, rather than setting aside a specific time to discuss (which could feel stilted and awkward.)

Mirror Questions – When the book feels familiar

1. Did anything in the story remind you of something you've experienced?
2. If you were the main character, what would you have done differently?
3. What part of the story made you feel the most seen or understood?
   
   

Window Questions – When the story feels different

1. Was there anything in the book that surprised you or made you think differently?
2. What do you think it would be like to be in that character’s shoes?
   
   

Connection Questions – For shared reflection

1. Was there a moment when you wished someone had spoken up or stepped in?
2. Is there anything in this book that makes you feel more ready for something in real life?

**  For more discussion questions and conversation starters, head HERE to download: 

Stories Build Bridges
Before I bring this to a close, I want to quickly reinforce the idea that fiction opens doors to healing, trust, and conversation. Stories can build bridges where it feels like you are lost or there is no common ground. Books can help create a foundation when it feels like your world is crumbling. 

I encourage you to make books featuring foster care available not only for the kids in your house, but for you as well. Read, ask questions, and keep showing up—one page at a time… because you matter. So go ahead—pick a book, crack it open, and read side by side. You never know where the story might take you.

Author Bio:
Amanda Zieba is the author of 14 feel-good-fiction books for readers of all ages. She is also the founder of Word Nerd Collaborative, a middle school ELA teacher membership and the creator of the YouTube channel: Learning with the Word Nerd. Amanda lives in Wisconsin with her husband and sons and can usually be found (typically with a novel or notebook in hand) watching them compete in some sort of sport. The plot twist is that even though she spends a huge amount of her life as a spectator, THEY are the biggest cheerleaders in her life. You can learn more about Amanda and connect with her at www.amandazieba.com and purchase her book Life in the Passenger Seat, here. (https://amandazieba.com/lips) 

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Life in the Passenger Seat by Amanda Zieba
https://amandazieba.com/lips 
(target audience age: 12-18)

Life for Shelby Morris has been one giant road trip, but not the good kind. After a series of evictions, her free-spirited, classic-Mustang-driving mother Gina has decided to move them to Michigan to put her passion for cars to work at the Ford Factory.
Just when their aimless wandering finally has a direction, they run out of gas and cash to buy more. What looks like a dead end may be the jump start Shelby needs for a normal life. While they earn their keep cleaning motel rooms, Shelby gets to go to school and finally, her true heart’s desire, compete on a gymnastics team. But when her mother, who doesn’t like to be reminded that she is in fact a mom, takes off, things get complicated. Shelby turns to school for help and is placed in foster care with her coach and his wife.
In many ways, life has never been so good for Shelby. Coach feels like the father she never had, she’s making friends, and things in the gym are better than ever. For the first time in her life, Shelby’s greatest concern is where she’ll land in the line up. But everything could change if Gina comes back. Even when she’s not around, Gina’s in charge of the map, directing the route of Shelby’s life, pushing her to wonder, what would life feel like if she were in the driver’s seat. This twist on the underdog sports story will speed straight into the hearts of readers.
The book also includes nonfiction backmatter about Foster Care from Miami Dolphin and Foster Care Advocate, Alec Ingold as well as tips for bouncing back mentally from a physical injury by Vanderbilt University Sports Psychologist Julie Sutcliffe.