A is for Adoption, B is for…Books by Heather Wilder

Heather Wilder, 13
Nevada

Ever heard of the ABCs of foster care? A is for adoption, B is for… That’s the way that Heather Wilder starts one of her 10 published books aimed at helping foster children to understand and embrace their circumstances. A foster child herself, the 13-year-old writer is also an advisor for First Star and a member of the National Foster Care Board, both groups that advocate for the rights of foster children. Her books are distributed to foster care programs and mental health centers across the country. She also received the Nestlé Very Best in Youth Award this year. Read on to hear what Heather has to say about being a foster child, and an accomplished writer!

Teen Voices (TV) : When did you begin to write books?
Heather Wilder: When I got out of 2nd grade.

TV: What made you want to start writing?
Heather : I was a foster kid, and I just wanted to write the books to let people know that I wasn’t alone and to let the other foster kids to know that they weren’t alone, too.

Heather Wilder was one of 27 students from across the U.S. to receive the Nestlé Very Best in Youth award at a red carpet ceremony in Los Angeles.

TV: What kind of things do you write about?
Heather : It’s basically about my life as a foster kid and what I went through when I was in foster care. I wrote about what social workers are, what foster parents do, and the ABC’s of foster care. For example, S is for social worker, because lots of kids don’t know what a social worker is and what they do. A is for adoption. It basically tells toddlers the basics of foster care.

TV: Do you think that these books would’ve helped you when you were younger?
Heather : Yes, it would’ve helped me when I was younger because I didn’t know what to do.

TV: Who reads your books?
Heather : The foster kids read my books and some of the people I give them to. Social workers read them, counseling centers, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) programs*, and different places. I wanted to get my books published so that there are more of them in more places. Also, I wanted the foster kids to be able to read them more easily so that they know they’re not alone.

TV: Why is it so important for foster kids to know they’re not alone?
Heather : It’s important because they should know that it’s not their fault that they’re foster kids. The parents made that choice, not the kids.

TV: What is Child Haven?
Heather : It’s a place where foster kids go where people take care of them and feed them. I went there and they give you beds to sleep in, you can play there, you go to school and counseling. It basically tells you everything. The counseling people give you books and the social workers give you books. It’s just really wonderful that the kids get them, read them, and they feel all powered up. They feel like, “Wow, somebody else has gone through that.” I’m so glad. It gives them more power and helps build hope.

Heather Wilder receiving the Nestlé Very Best in Youth award from Jerry Rice, NFL Star and Brad Alford, Chairman and CEO of Nestlé USA.

TV: How did your experience as a foster child make you who you are today?
Heather : When I was a foster kid, I didn’t really know what to do, I didn’t know where everything was. In my foster mom’s house, I feel safe. I know where everything is. I’m taken care of. When I’m sick, I can get better. She helps me. She teaches me things that I didn’t know. I’ve lived with her three years, and she’s just wonderful.

TV: How does life change after foster care?
Heather : Foster kids feel better once they become adopted kids. They know that they’re not going to be taken away, that the parents will keep them safe, that nobody’s going to take them. They can have hope. They can think, “Wow, I’m an adopted kid, I don’t have to worry about anything.” It feels a lot safer.

TV: Tell me a little bit about First Star.
Heather : First Star is a program that gives states grades. States with lower grades, like F, have foster kids that aren’t really taken care of. There are only about five states that have A’s, and the other states need help because they’re not on the A-list. The A-list is good because they probably give foster kids lawyers. The states with F’s and D’s have foster kids without lawyers. These kids don’t have a voice, they can’t go to a home that takes care of them, one that feeds them and gives them what they need.

TV: What do you do for First Star?
Heather : I went to DC in May to talk about how foster kids need lawyers. I handed books out to senators and spoke at a congressional hearing to tell everybody that foster kids need lawyers so they can speak their heart out and get into good homes. A couple of people helped me, such as Star Jones.

TV: How did you become so involved in the foster care community?
Heather : I started by writing books. Some people send cards saying, “The kids love them!” These people really understand what foster life is all about. My job is to bring attention to foster kids.

TV: What other stuff motivates you to keep going with this job?
Heather : Many kids don’t know and understand what they’re dealing with. When I hear that my books have made a difference, I think that I should write more books and keep them going.

TV: What kind of advice would you give other teen activists who are trying to make a difference?
Heather : Just go on with your dream and help other people. The more you help other people, the more happiness you get in your heart.

*Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Programs: trained community volunteers used by the courts as advocates of abused and neglected children.