Rhonda Wagner

The 'Joy of Avery' series offers resources for foster care families and brings the world of foster care to life by exploring Avery’s feelings as her family welcomes foster children into their home. "It's Okay to Wonder" is the first book in the series, "Braver Than Me" is the second book in the series, and "Say YES Again" is the third book in the series.

Buy Now - Braver Than Me
Buy Now - Say YES Again

“I’m excited to be a sister in our foster family,
but I’m worried about new rules.
I feel happy and sad at the same time.
What about when our help isn’t needed anymore?”

It’s Okay to Wonder is a story about Avery, a loquacious girl whose parents have decided to become foster parents. While Mom and Dad attend another foster training class, Avery shares with her Nana and Pop about her mixed-up feelings. She and her grandparents learn together what it might be like to become a foster family—that it’s okay to feel two emotions at the same time and that it’s okay to wonder!

The Joy of Avery series offers resources for foster care families and brings the world of foster care to life by exploring Avery’s feelings as her family welcomes foster children into their home. It’s Okay to Wonder is the first book in this faith-based series.

Braver Than Me

“Let’s be brave as a new foster family. We are in this together.”

“What will it be like when my foster sibling has to say goodbye?”

Braver Than Me is a story about Avery, a loquacious girl whose family welcomes their first foster child into their home. Avery shares with her Mom and Dad about her mixed-up feelings. She and her parents learn together what it is like to be a foster family-that it’s okay to feel two emotions at the same time, especially when reunification takes place. Love, bravery, and empathy fill the pages as Avery realizes her foster sibling is “braver than me.”

The Joy of Avery series offers resources for foster care families, and brings the world of foster care to life by exploring Avery’s feelings as her family welcomes foster children into their home. Braver Than Me is the second book in this faith-based series.

“He is safe here, but he needs to feel safe.”

“If he’s not going home to his parents, why can’t he stay with us?”

Say YES Again is a story about Avery, a loquacious girl whose family welcomes foster children into their home. Avery gets a chance to be both a Big Sister and a Younger Sister when David and Luca are placed in her home. With her parents’ help, she learns about respite care, kinship placement, and what it means to “walk in another person’s shoes.” Love, empathy, and compassion grow in Avery’s heart as she realizes the impact of saying YES to foster care and wants to say YES again.

The Joy of Avery series offers resources for foster care families and brings the world of foster care to life by exploring Avery’s feelings as her family welcomes foster children into their home. Say YES Again is the third book in this faith-based series. The first book is It’s Okay to Wonder. The second book is Braver Than Me.

Rhonda Wagner

Rhonda Wagner

Rhonda Wagner is a writer who lives with her husband in New Castle, Pennsylvania, where she was born. They have two married daughters and four grandchildren who live in northeastern Ohio. She was inspired to write ‘The Joy of Avery’ series when her younger daughter and son-in-law became foster parents. Rhonda is passionate about giving her very best love to all her grandchildren, foster and forever.