My Brother's Keeper

The day that eight-year-old Gabe fell off a swing and suffered severe brain trauma and spinal cord injury was the day that brothers Gabe and Ryan saw their father for the last time. With no warning, the brothers were left with their mother, who struggled and failed to care for them financially. Gabe had been born with cerebral palsy, and paired with the tragic accident that occurred, the boys were swiftly brought into the foster care system to await their mother's redemption. In My Brother's Keeper by Olivia Ann Harriger, Ryan desperately tries to care for his brother amongst the anger and angst of being a child in the system. The continuous back and forth, hopping from home to home, leaves Ryan bitter and hopeless for a better future-until a surprising couple enters the brothers' lives. When the Hendricks take on the role as foster parents for Ryan and Gabe, everything changes. A new world unfolds before the brothers as they are introduced to ranch life, horseback riding, and a renewed hope for the future. Harriger suffered from asthma and understood what it meant to suffer through an illness and to feel tied down and branded by your ailment. She believes that God gave her this story to share His love with other youth who are dealing with similar issues that threaten their sense of self, their worth, and their dreams for the life they desire. Olivia Ann Harriger is a high school senior in Texas who has personally experienced God's grace and miraculous care for His children born with afflictions. Olivia gave her life to Jesus at an early age which prompted her writing to share God's love. She also loved horseback riding through her early teen years and now pursues her passion for writing and debating on her high school team.