This was a sad, true story. Ezra and Hadassah: A Portrait of American Royalty
is a book about two children and their journey through the foster system and their experiences as adoptees. In the beginning, the book reminded me of A Child Called It
, but soon, I was engrossed enough in the story that it stood alone for me. While it was a difficult read, emotionally, I think it's a good book for parents of kids from hard places. The child's perspective on the events that took place was a window for me to see how Hannah and Katie might perceive things.
The author, Heather Young, is 5 years older than I am, and this book offers a disheartening glimpse into the foster system of our childhood era. While there are certainly a lot more "best interest of the child" slogans now, and kids have attorneys, guardian ad litum, and CASA support these days, I'm not naive enough to think these cases don't still occur today.
I don't want to give away too much of the book's actual content, as I hope you'll read it for yourself. I imagine that getting this written and having her story all lined out on paper must have been very validating for the author.
I'm pleased to be able to offer you the chance to win this book. I would love to get this into the hands of a fostering or adoptive family. I think the perspective of kids from difficult places will help families "reset" their thinking and dealing with their children.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I am only "connected" in that I have friends who are foster parents. We are currently raising our oldest granddaughter, 11 years old. All I ever wanted was to be a mom, so I think if we hadn't taken her in at 10 mos, we would probably be foster parents.
ReplyDeleteMore and more families find themselves in that position these days. Have you heard of Grandparents Parenting Again?
DeleteI am currenlty going thru the process to become a foster parent. I have 3 aunts who have fostered and one who has addopted 3 of her fostered children. It is something I am looking forward to doing.
ReplyDeleteThat's wonderful, Judy! We were licensed foster parents before we adopted Hannah. We hosted sib groups with Safe Families while we were waiting to bring home Katie and Luke.
DeleteI'm the adoptive mom to 3 kids who spent time in foster care, and good friends with another mom of 3 kids from foster care. It's a hard road we are on, both us and our kiddos.
ReplyDeleteAin't that the truth? Life doesn't start when they show up on the doorstep, does it? : /
DeleteI connected by adoption because I am adopted, so is my brother and ironically my adopted mother was also adopted. I do not look at my adopted mother as an adopted mother, but as my mom :)
ReplyDeleteThat's lovely, Robyn. :) I hope my girls feel that way, too.
DeleteWhen I lived in Washington State I had 2 foster children-- and as I moved to Idaho--I was contacted to pick up one more that lived with me for over a years-- I still get to see her as she is an adult now --it is so hard to give them back,I never wanted them to leave me. But I know they are still my babies all the same.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. We've had Safe Families kids come through our home, and I still miss them.
DeleteMy mom was a foster parent and I grew up with 7 foster brothers. I love each and every one of them.
ReplyDeleteHow sweet! :) I'm glad it was a positive experience for you.
DeleteAmanda wont_forget_this_address@Yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I are thinking about adopting
Best wishes to you! It's quite a process, but so worth it. :)
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