An in-depth study of a 1973 case in which thirteen-year-old Shirley Wilder, an abused runaway, became the focus of a class-action lawsuit in regard to the inequities of New York City's foster care system provides a full-history of the case and the long-term consequences of foster care for Shirley, her son Lamont, and Lamont's son, all victims of the system. Reprint. 25,000 first printing.