Release Date: April 28, 2026
About The Book:
From suburban empty-nester to Court Appointed Special Advocate, this powerful memoir chronicles a seven-year journey alongside four siblings trapped in America’s complex child welfare system. Through unflinching observations and raw honesty, author Julie Savitch brings readers into the lives of Kenny, CJ, Zoe, and Allegra as they navigate the turbulent waters of family preservation, foster care, and the elusive search for a forever home.
The journey begins with an optimistic mission to keep a family intact, working with Dawn, a mother battling addiction and instability. When the children enter foster care, separated and scared, Julie becomes their unwavering champion—fighting to maintain their precious sibling bonds across multiple placements, advocating for their educational needs, and serving as a crucial bridge between an often-fragmented system of schools, foster homes, and courtrooms.
As Julie evolves from an idealistic volunteer to a battle-tested advocate, she confronts impossible choices and the profound responsibility of being the only consistent adult in four young lives. Grounded in research about foster care, sibling separation, and parental incarceration, this intimate account reveals the hidden realities of America’s child welfare system while demonstrating the transformative power of showing up for vulnerable children.
About The Author:
I’m a court-appointed special advocate (CASA) who believes deeply in the transformative power of showing up. For the past decade, I’ve stood alongside children and families navigating the complexities of the child welfare system. My Other Kids: A Memoir of Child Advocacy and the Power of Showing Up is the story of how four siblings—and the system meant to protect them—changed the course of my life.
This book is a love letter to the family we choose, the resilience of children, and the sacred responsibility of bearing witness. Rooted in the Jewish value of tikkun olam, or repairing the world, my work and writing reflect a commitment to justice, presence, and radical empathy. I hope this book inspires you to show up for someone who needs it.
Social Media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julie.savitch.writer/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Julie-Savitch-Author/61578871907155/
Book Blurbs:
“In this extraordinarily impactful journey, Dr. Savitch captures the plight of youth in the child welfare system— the ache to be seen and the grace of someone who finally listens. My Other Kids is both a love letter to the children we fight for and a call to keep showing up. A powerful reminder that compassion can change a child’s story.” — Regina Calcaterra, New York Times bestselling author of Etched in Sand
“While the text is novel-like in its storytelling, [My Other Kids] also provides an insider’s perspective on the intricacies of the child welfare system. The poignant story of an advocate’s journey.”—Kirkus Reviews
Bloggers On Tour:
April 22nd- Steph In The Stacks https://www.instagram.com/stephinthestacks4
April 25th- Books and Coffee MX https://instagram.com/booksandcoffeemx
April 27th- Plains Reading https://instagram.com/plains_reading
May 1st -Nissa The Bookworm https://instagram.com/nissa_the.bookworm
May 3rd- Subakka Bookstuff https://instagram.com/subakka.bookstuff
May 4th – Sarahs Bookish Reviews https://instagram.com/sarahs.bookish.reviews
May 6th- Reading Is My Remedy https://instagram.com/reading_is_my_remedy
May 9th – Books Love And Understanding https://instagram.com/booksloveandunderstanding
May 14th – CMT Loves Wine and Books https://instagram.com/cmtloveswineandbooks
May 14th- Rozier Reads and Wine https://instagram.com/rozierreadsandwine
May 23rd- Nature Books and Coffee https://instagram.com/nature.books.and.coffee
May 28th- One More Exclamation https://instagram.com/onemoreexclamation
May 30th- Jennifer Tar Heel Reader https://instagram.com/tarheelreader
May 30th- Coffee Break Book Reviews https://instagram.com/coffee.break.book.reviews
Suzy Approved Book Tours 