BEING ADOPTED

by Maxine B. Rosenberg ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 1984

A loose, pictorial look at today's ""transracial"" and ""transcultural"" adoptions (the terms, however, appear only in the endnote)--as loosely illustrated by half-black Rebecca, Karin from Korea, and Andrei from India. The points made are valid enough: the children are usually frightened to start with; like all adopted children (and many who are not), they may sometimes wish they had other parents; unlike other adopted children, they're visibly different from other members of their family--hence subject to all kinds of questions. Most painfully, they're apt to be asked--and ask in turn--why their birth parents gave them up. There is also extra anxiety about belonging, and about that different appearance. What Rosenberg has to say in these regards can be slightly cute (""Karin knows she can rely on her mom or dad to come to the rescue whenever monsters sneak into her room at night""); it can also be slightly hokey or pat (signing adoption papers is forever, dressing in native garb is good for a dual identity). But none of these things is untrue; airing them can be useful; and it is plainly said, for one thing, that parents in poor countries sometimes give up their children so they'll have a better life. Though a number of the pictures seem less-than-spontaneous, there's ample warmth and vitality in view. Less exceptional than the prior Rosenberg/Ancona collaboration, My Friend Leslie--but pleasant and sensible overall.

Pub Date: March 1, 1984

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 1984

Categories: FICTION