K10: Three Little Words by Ashley Rhodes-Courter

The Kidliterati Ten is an interview series with young readers. We ask them about a favorite book and hope that you enjoy their answers.

Tell us a little about yourself: what is your first name, how old are you, and what is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

My name is  Laura. I'm 16 and my favorite ice cream is Moose Tracks.

What book did you read and why did you choose it?

I chose Three Little Words. The librarian at my school showed me a stack of books she was recommending to students. It sounded like it would be a good book so I asked for it for Christmas. 

Can you describe this book in one word? emotional

What was your favorite part of this story? When the little girl finally finds a family and is loved and can live with her new family forever.

If you had a problem similar to the main character's problem, what would you do? Hmmm, that's really hard. I would just keep my head up and hope for a good family one day.

What would you say to your best friend to convince them to read this book?

It’s an easy read, but you get a lot out of it in the end. It’s easy to connect with the main character. Originally, I needed a book for a project, but I ended up reading this book because it was so interesting. I don't like to read all that much, but this book was true and I had to find out what happened to the girl. Once I got started, I couldn't not finish reading it. Because it was real, I had to know what happened to this real human being.

What do you think about the book's cover? It’s a picture of the little girl – a real picture. In the book, the author tells the significance of this picture.

Would you want to read another book about these characters? Why or why not? Yes, just to see what her life was like after she was adopted. The last pages said a little about how the author turned out, but I'd like to know more details.

Can you name another book that reminds you of this one?  Out of My Mind has a similar theme in that both main characters have a struggle that no one can understand and they have to find a way to overcome it.

If you could ask the author one question about this book, what would it be? How did you cope with all of the different living conditions before you found your family?

*****Thank you, Laura!*****

I reached out to the author, Ashley Rhodes-Courter, and she was so kind to give an answer to Laura's question.

I spent so much of my early life feeling like I was unwanted, worthless, and unloved. It was hard to be bounced around to so many different strangers, not knowing how long I would be in any one placement. I had to force myself to focus on other things--like school, projects, taking care of my little brother--but sometimes I would just shut down completely to protect myself. Eventually an adoptive family helped me break down the walls I had built and taught me that some people can be trusted. Today, I am lucky to have so much love in my life and I recently submitted my second book, "Three More Words" which picks up where "Three Little Words" left off. I hope that my story and outcome can inspire others that may be going through difficult times.

*****Thank you, Ashley!*****

Three Little Words

"Sunshine, you're my baby and I'm your only mother. You must mind the one taking care of you, but she's not your mama." Ashley Rhodes-Courter spent nine years of her life in fourteen different foster homes, living by those words. As her mother spirals out of control, Ashley is left clinging to an unpredictable, dissolving relationship, all the while getting pulled deeper and deeper into the foster care system.

Painful memories of being taken away from her home quickly become consumed by real-life horrors, where Ashley is juggled between caseworkers, shuffled from school to school, and forced to endure manipulative, humiliating treatment from a very abusive foster family. In this inspiring, unforgettable memoir, Ashley finds the courage to succeed - and in doing so, discovers the power of her own voice.

Three Little Words
~Dana