An excellent book which deals expertly and delicately with what it is really like to be a child in foster care. Viewing being a foster child from Sam’s perspective was a real insight and many of the emotions and thoughts he had were very identifiable which a child I have who is in foster care in my school. This book has genuinely changed my attitude as a teacher and equipped me with ideas and a renewed empathy for children who I teach in this situation.

Such a lovely but heartbreaking book about a foster kid who just wants parents who love him. I felt such a range of emotions throughout this story it was hard to keep a grip on what was going on, but that was mirrored by Sam’s experiences which made it a fairly unique read. All the characters were gorgeously written and I particularly loved the relationship between Sam and Reilly. I think this is a really important book for all children to read so they can hopefully begin to understand what looked after children go through.

Another smashing book by Stewart Foster!

Books written about real issues accessible for children really help to provide an understanding of issues that may or may not directly affect others but are essential to developing a wholesome and accepting community.

I will be adding this book to my ReadingWell section in my classroom and library. It is really important for children to be able to access and seek help and support through books if they feel they can't reach out to an adult.

Sam is a foster child, he doesn't feel he fits in, he has no home, he is looking for the perfect parents but does such a thing even exist? Best friend Leah helps Sam to create and carry out The Perfect Parent Project. Sam thinks he has found his perfect parents, they just don't know it yet. Join Sam on his plight to finding a place he can call home: a story about friendship, loss and finding out who you are.

Every time I read a new book from Stewart Foster, I prepare myself in case it isn't as good as the last one. Each time though, I find myself with a new favourite. He just writes characters so well that I wonder how he can have experienced all of the things his characters do, to make it all so real.

This book, like the others, focuses on the story of an older child facing seemingly insurmountable difficulties. Sam is living with the latest of several foster families and just wants to belong. He wants his own parent(s) who -as well as taking him to Disney World (Paris is fine) and driving a BMW M5- will hug him and make him feel that he belongs. With the help of his best friend Leah, he comes up with a plan to find himself the perfect parent(s).

I will be buying this book to go with the rest of Stewart Foster's books at school and am looking forward to sharing it with the children - after they've finished arguing over who gets it first!

We have too few books about foster children! In that sense, this is an important book, taking one through the turmoil of being “unwanted”. I really wanted to have liked it more, but it was way too predictable and took much too long to get to the conclusion that was obvious right from the beginning. Plus, the “perfect parents” were a big red flag to me. Dave was always making fun of Michelle, her cooking, her driving, etc. At first I thought there was more to it, but apparently it was just humour. And the nephew was picking up on it. No. Just, nope!

(Review copy from Netgalley)

Having been moved on so many times in his life, it's not surprising that Sam feels unable to put down roots with his current foster family, With the assistance of his friend Leah, he hatches a plan to find himself the Perfect Parents', ones who can take him to Disneyland, drive a BMW and, most importantly, will love him.
It's a story that will make you sigh, smile, and make you want to reach through the pages of the book (or your ereader screen) to give Sam a bone crunching hug and, on occasion, a knowing stare when he can't see what's right in front of his eyes!
I loved the other characters in this story too, particularly Reilly, Leah and Rock Star Steve.
Another winner from Stewart Foster, he never disappoints a reader.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ebook proof.

What a superb book for MG readers. I will be certainly including this in the next young reader book club at the library. It tackles issues which will be a fantastic starting point for conversations. It was very well written and I am sure this will be a favourite amongst our MG readers. Thank you for the advance copy

The Perfect Parent Project offers the reader the opportunity to enter the world of Sam, an eleven year old boy who has been in and out of foster care for as long as he can remember. All Sam wants is a family to call his own and in this book he embarks on a quest to find his forever home.

The Perfect Parent Project is an absolute triumph by Stewart Foster. It’s a beautifully written book and the narrative is completely immersive and believable. The character of Sam is multi-faceted: he’s not just a foster child - he’s a friend, an actor, he covets things any eleven year old would want... He’s entirely believable and thus we feel his emotions very keenly.

The book centres around the emotions of Sam within his situation as a foster child. This is an area not overly explored in children’s literature and I think it will provide a great opportunity for children in similar situations to see themselves represented in the books they read. It will also be a powerful tool for building empathy and understanding in children looking at alternative family structures.

The Perfect Parent Project packs a mighty punch: it’s funny yet heart-breaking. I am very much looking forward to adding it to my classroom bookshelf. Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this wonderful story.

I absolutely loved this book. It's heartbreaking, heartwarming and had me sobbing.
The Perfect Parent Project is the story of Sam. An 11 year old living with a foster family. After moving between different foster families, Sam is desperate to find a forever home. With the help of his friend, Leah, he comes up with a plan to find them.
This leads to drama, friendship and realisation that the things he's looking for night be a little closer to home.
I was sucked into this story almost immediately and found it difficult to put down.
A truly great book, highly recommended.