Popular YA author Crutcher presents T.J. Jones (a.k.a. The Tao), a black Eurasian whose biological mother abandoned him in large part due to the influence of drugs and whose white hippie parents are a treasure. T.J. takes on the school’s outcasts as a cause, and he helps to form a swim team to give them an outlet, a safe place,
Continue Reading WHALE TALK by Chris Crutcher (HarperCollins, 2001) »
Parents tell young Enrique how they looked for a child, waited for him. The poetic prose and simple text are sincere and affecting. A particularly good title for those seeking interracial family and international adoption themes. Ages 4-up.
First-time author Buzzeo is paired with HARRY POTTER illustrator GrandPre in a book that lovingly and poetically captures the stirring magic of a foundling babe who becomes a treasured sister. Maita says: “I longed for a time I might not be the only child the craggy island knew.” The time is now. Spectacular, musical, and deeply affecting. HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION for art and text.
Continue Reading THE SEA CHEST by Toni Buzzeo, illustrated by Mary GrandPre (Dial, 2002) »
“Raggedy Anna” is the way Anna O’Dell thinks others see her. And Anna feels ragged from watching out for Mama’s moods and taking care of her younger sister and brother. But when Mama doesn’t come home, Anna fights to watch out for her siblings and, along the way, finds out the story behind Mama’s pain. An emotionally evocative book unafraid to address Anna’s concerns about her African American and white heritage ‘
Continue Reading A PLACE TO CALL HOME by Jackie French Koller (Atheneum, 1995) »
A photoessay of the author and her husband’s journey to China to adopt their beautiful daughter, Ariela Xiangwei. Ages 4-up.
Continue Reading OUR BABY FROM CHINA: AN ADOPTION STORY by Nancy D’Antonio (Whitman, 1997) »
Elias, Shohei, and Honoria have always been a trio united against That Which Is The Peshtigo School. But suddenly it seems that understanding and sticking up for a best friend isn’t as easy as it used to be. Elias, reluctant science fair participant, finds himself defying the authority of Mr. Ethan Eden, teacher king of chem lab. Shohei, all-around slacker,
Continue Reading NINJAS, PIRANHAS, AND GALILEO by Greg Leitich Smith (Little Brown, 2003) »
In this journey to the self (and from Iowa to Austin), Simon’s struggling to keep things together. He’s skating the law, recently dumped, and dealing with a dad who just doesn’t understand. Overwhelmed, he hits the road to find his biological parents and wisdom about evil advertisers, scary giants, witches, ETs, friendship, nature/nurture, and, well, pretty girls. One part magic,
Sam is trying to balance a distant dad, a new girlfriend, studying for the SATs, all while being full-time, primary caregiver for his his baby, Max. A realistic and compelling look at life as a teen dad. Ages 14-up.
Continue Reading HANGING ONTO MAX by Margaret Bechard (Roaring Brook, 2002) »
It’s 1967, and seventeen-year-old Anne finds herself someplace she never would’ve expected —at a home for unwed mothers. The story focuses on Anne’s relationships with the other girls. A searing, stereotype-shattering book. A great read for thoughtful teens (and grown-ups). Ages 12-up.
Continue Reading DON’T THINK TWICE by Ruth Pennebaker (Holt, 1996) »
A simple, charming text, illustrated in photographs, guides young readers through this concept book reflecting an African-American child adopted by a white family. Child’s point of view with forward by Dr. Jacqueline Wallen, Associate Professor, Department of Family Studies, University of Maryland, College Park, whose own children are “brown” and adopted. Ages 4-up.
Continue Reading BROWN LIKE ME by Noelle Lamperti (New Victoria Publishers, 1999) »