Raised From Scratch is such a meaningful book because the testimony of Thompson’s experiences offers two perspectives of hopelessness and hope in one. Yes, having been raised by his uncle and not his biological parents shaped him into the man he is today, but it did not make his transition as a foster youth any easier. Even though his invisible parents neglected him by prioritizing substances over providing Thompson with family and love, his uncle and mentors were able to provide him with a new understanding of those concepts. At the beginning of the book the author is pessimistic because of his foster youth identity, towards the end of his book the messages are uplifting and can help foster youth understand that it takes time and growth to
