The Perfect Parent Project Written by Stewart Foster. Reviewed by Eliza, Age 12

Sam doesn’t talk much about his feelings. He has spent most of his life in foster care, moving around. He’s fed up of being left behind on holidays and getting clothes for Christmas – he wants to find a forever home.

So Sam and his friend Leah – the only person who knows he is in foster care – set about finding Sam the perfect parents. Sam is sure he knows what he wants from perfect parents and has a long list of requirements (mostly involving a BMW MS) and hopes to find parents who tick every box.

I had not read any of Stewart Foster’s previous books so I didn’t know what to expect from this book. I usually read books that make me laugh out loud, and looking at the cover and summary of this book I thought that it would be the same. It was funny in places, but actually it is a book that will make you think more about feelings and emotions.

It was about something I had no experience of – being in foster care, not knowing your past and having different people looking after you – so I learnt about a different type of life. But there were lessons in the book that apply to everybody.

This story is about trust – trusting people around you with your feelings and dreams (which can be hard) – and learning that it’s what is inside you that matters, not what label is attached to you.

The story really made me think about how no one, not even parents, are perfect. Parents are just people too – they make mistakes and worry just like kids do.

My favourite part of the book was reading about the relationship between Sam and Riley, Sam’s younger foster brother. It was really cute and funny – and I have a younger brother so could relate to it.

Even though it wasn’t the type of book I usually read, I really enjoyed it. I would recommend it to children from the age of 10. I am definitely going to lend this one to my sister, who is 14 – she will love it too!