Some books are written to tell a story. Others are written to open our eyes, stir our hearts, and invite us to take action.
The Glider by Linda Summerford does all three.
In this powerful and deeply personal memoir, Linda shares her journey from being born into an abusive home to spending more than 900 days in foster care with her siblings. Her story is one of heartbreak, separation, resilience, faith, and ultimately, hope.
After entering the foster care system, Linda and her youngest sibling were eventually adopted into a loving Christian home. Unfortunately, the two were separated from their older siblings. That painful separation shaped Linda’s life in ways she still carries today—but so did the love she received.
Linda grew up with parents who showed her safety, stability, and the love of Jesus. She also had a grandmother whose kindness and faith became a lasting part of her story. Because of that love, Linda does not simply look back on her childhood with sorrow. She looks back with gratitude, purpose, and a deep desire to speak for children who are still waiting for someone to see them, hear them, and fight for them.
Today, Linda is a passionate advocate for foster care reform. Through speaking engagements at churches, community groups, and colleges, she shares her story to raise awareness and encourage others to step into the needs around them.
Her mission is not only to tell people that the foster care system needs help. Her mission is to show them that they can help.
More Than a Book
At Anchor & Ink Publishing, we love helping authors bring their books into the world through editing, publishing, and guidance. But for many authors, support does not end when the book is published. Although Anchor & Ink did not publish Linda’s book, she has been a valued client.
Linda’s story and mission deserve to keep reaching people, which is why it has been such a privilege to continue supporting her through social media content creation and posting. Our goal is to help her message remain clear, consistent, and compelling so more readers, churches, and community leaders discover The Glider and understand why foster care support matters.
Because Linda’s heart is not simply to sell books. Her hope is that readers will be moved by her story and inspired to take action in their own communities.
Why Foster Care Awareness Month Matters
May is National Foster Care Month, a time set aside to raise awareness about the needs of children and youth in foster care and to recognize the many people who support them, including foster parents, relatives, professionals, mentors, advocates, and community members.
For Linda, this month is personal.
She knows what it is like to be one of the children behind the statistics. She knows what it feels like to wait, to wonder, to be separated from siblings, and to long for safety and belonging. She also knows the life-changing difference a loving home and a supportive community can make.
That is why one of Linda’s key messages is the importance of wraparound support for foster families. Families who foster need more than encouragement from a distance. They need meals, prayer, respite care, transportation help, mentorship, supplies, emotional support, and a community willing to walk beside them.
When families are supported, they are better equipped to continue caring for vulnerable children. And when communities understand the need, they can become part of the solution.
How You Can Support Linda’s Mission
One simple but meaningful way to support Linda is by purchasing The Glider and leaving a review.
Book purchases help Linda continue sharing her story. Reviews help new readers discover the book and understand why it matters. Every review, every share, and every conversation helps carry this message a little farther.
When you read The Glider, you are not just reading one woman’s story. You are stepping into a larger conversation about foster care, family, faith, healing, and the responsibility we all have to care about children who need safety, stability, and love.
Linda’s story reminds us that awareness is only the beginning. The next step is action.
Purchase the book. Leave a review. Share this post. Invite Linda to speak. Start a conversation in your church, school, organization, or community. You can also visit her at her website, www.authorlindasummerford.com to learn more or contact her about speaking.
Be Part of the Difference
This Foster Care Awareness Month, we invite you to support Linda Summerford and the mission behind The Glider.
You never know how one story might open someone’s eyes—or how one act of support might help change a child’s life.
Links on this page earn commissions. Thank you for supporting my work and the work of my authors.