Etched in Sand Summary

Summary of Etched in Sand Book by Regina Calcaterra

Name: Etched in Sand
Rating: 4.7 (5129 reviews)
Author: Regina Calcaterra

4.7 . 5129 reviews

Short summary

Quite often, we forget that there is always someone worse off than ourselves. For sure, we all go through difficult times in life, but for most of us, these times pass quickly. Etched in Sand is a heartbreaking story of one family’s constant battle to remain together. Through abandonment, abuse, and a distinct lack of love, a family of five children fought to stay close, often struggling in the face of red tape and systemic difficulties. Regina Calcaterra is now a highly successful New York State official and experienced lawyer. She has also become a foster youth activist due to her childhood difficulties and works to make life better for children just like her. “I gaze calmly at the facade before me. It’s a house … our house. Even if it ends up being only for a few days, I’m relieved that my siblings and I won’t be separated.” ~ Regina Calcaterra

13 min

7 key points

8 insights

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Table of content

Summary of Etched in Sand
About the author
What is Etched in Sand about?
Who should read Etched in Sand
Topics in Etched in Sand

first key point

Children should be loved and cherished, yet Regina Calcaterra and her siblings experienced quite the opposite

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Regina Calcaterra has four siblings — Rosie, Norm, Camille, and Cherie. All five children have different fathers and grew up with their mother, Cookie, in Long Island.

The children never knew comfort and stability. Often moving from house to house, their mother was always on the run from the police, wanted for a range of crimes. One day they could be in a homeless shelter, and the next, they may find themselves sleeping in the car in a parking lot.

Regina Calcaterra never felt like her mother loved her, always suspecting that she preferred her older sisters over her.

Along with constant moving and instability, the children were never loved. Cookie was often abusive and cold with her children, swinging from manic happiness to extreme lows. Then, she would disappear for weeks on end, leaving the children to fend for themselves. The three older daughters, Regina, Camille, and Cherie, vowed to do everything they could to keep the children together and ensure they looked after one another.

One particular time, the family bundled into their old, broken-down car and ferried across Long Island. The few worldly belongings they owned were packed into the trunk in plastic bags. The car doors didn’t work, so they were forced to climb in and out through the windows. After driving for a while along the back streets, they finally arrived at a house that looked quite nice for a change.

Children with immature and irresponsible parents are often forced to take on more adult roles, such as looking after siblings.

Cookie ushered the children inside, and Regina wondered how long they’d be calling this place home. Any hope was quickly extinguished as Cookie, unsurprisingly, disappeared for six weeks, leaving the children to beg for food, clean cars to find money, and try to keep themselves clean.

In this summary, you will learn more about Regina Calcaterra and her siblings, their fight to stay together, and the constant hurdles they faced. By the end, you will probably pull your family members close and be grateful for the bond you share.

second key point

After being subjected to endless emotional and physical abuse, the children are moved into foster care

Regina Calcaterra recalls her mother as always being angry and highly dismissive. She only ever cared about her own needs and didn’t know how to show an ounce of love to her children. Often angered very quickly, she was abusive to all five children. The youngest child, Rosie, accidentally dropped a glass on the floor, causing it to shatter and make a loud noise. Instantly, Cookie jumped up and grabbed her, calling her horrible names, and slammed her body down into the broken glass. It wasn’t the first time or the last.

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third key point

Social Services started to believe Cookie’s endless cycle of excuses

fourth key point

Regina reached out to her father, only to have the door slammed in her face once more

fifth key point

Rosie’s attempted rescue didn’t go according to plan

sixth key point

Regina proved that foster care doesn’t always leave a child with an uncertain future

seventh key point

Conclusion

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What is Etched in Sand about?

In this gripping memoir, Regina Calcaterra recounts her harrowing childhood growing up on Long Island with her four siblings. Enduring neglect, abuse, and homelessness, the siblings rely on their unbreakable bond to survive. Calcaterra's powerful narrative sheds light on the resilience of the human spirit and the strength of familial love, ultimately inspiring readers with a story of triumph over unimaginable adversity.

Who should read Etched in Sand

Social workers and child welfare professionals seeking insight into the challenges faced by abused children.
Individuals interested in memoirs about resilience and overcoming adversity.
Readers looking to understand the impact of childhood trauma and the power of resilience.

Topics in Etched in Sand

Sibling Relationships Overcoming Adversity Childhood Trauma Family Abuse Resilience Child Welfare Foster Care Survival Advocacy

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