Beautiful Child, Torey Hayden.

From the back cover:

'Moving . . .Beautiful Child persuades us that even the most withdrawn and troubled child can be reached if someone takes the time, pays attention, and sincerely, deeply cares.'

- O Magazine

Seven-year-old Venus Fox never spoke, never listened, never even acknowledged another human being in the room with her.  Yet an accidental playground 'bump' would release a rage frightening to behold.  The school year that followed would prove to be one of the most trying, perplexing, and ultimately rewarding of Torey's Career, as she struggled to reach a silent child in obvious pain and remained committed to helping a 'hopeless' girl, and patiently and lovingly leading her towards the light of a new day.