Rating: 
Summary: Strangely Lacking
Review: Once again Oprah has me going to the library to check out a book and once again I am disappointed.Oprah likes sad books about abused kids,but I'd pick I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings over this book anyday.I read Blackbird quickly, but the fairy tale parallels with her life were contrived.Lauck had a sad life, but the book had too many loose ends and partial characters.She had absolutely no friends and hardly anthing happened in school.Also I felt there was too much emphasis on physical appearances which made the book shallow,despite the serious subject matter.
Rating: 
Summary: Blackbird: A Childhood Lost and Found
Review: After reading the book, I had to read the acknowledgement page again to see if this story was really true. It is an amazing story. I felt angry through most of the book--angry that parents could be so ignorant and angry that people could be so cruel. The book made me aware of all the situations we are unaware of when dealing with children. Lauck did a wonderful job of relating the story as a child would. It must have been terribly painful for her to travel through those days again.
Rating: 
Summary: Blackbird
Review: Jennifer Lauck takes the reader through here journey of both love and death. Her mother dying at a young age due to cancer left unidentified Jennifer in search for answers. Later in life her father passes, and the remembrance of childhood details are clearly seen. All of her experiences in life, both up and down leads her with the appreciation of life with her grandparents. The link in her family tree along with childhood memories.
Rating:
Summary: Had me standing and cheering for her at the end!
Review: After seeing Jennifer Lauck on Oprah I began my search for this book. Once in hand, I read it in a period of 14 hours almost right through since I was unable to put it down, and unable to stop my tears. How desperately I wanted to take this poor child in my arms and hold her forever. It brought great comfort to remember her on Oprah...that she has survived, but even so I had to keep flipping to the back cover to see her smiling face to assure myself that her suffering is over now. I became so angry at society - I am sure there were many opportunities for adults to notice this child and her situation, but no one helped. This book reminded me of my own childhood pain, and helps me to perfect some of my parenting skills, and I truly hope that this book will serve the ultimate purpose and awaken us to the plight of children. Jennifer's story is heartbreaking, but she is not alone in a world that still largely minimizes children. Thank you dear sweet Jennifer for telling your story, and I truly hope that your words reverberate throughout the world as they allow insight into lonliness, grief, rejection and abandonment as seen through the eyes of a child. I tremendously look forward to the sequel.
Rating:
Summary: My Favorite New Book
Review: It is hard to believe that this is a work of non fiction. I love how Jennifer Lauck has written this memoir through the eyes of a wise child. Her word usage, descriptions and dialoge are haunting. I'll always remember her description of her father..."boy-next-door-drop-dead handsome." I can't wait to share this book with my 16 year old daughter. I hope Lauck is a fast writer because I am impatiently awaiting her sequel.
Rating:
Summary: one of the best I have read in recent times
Review: A wonderful memoir of overcoming the trials and tribulations she faced. As an adoptee myself I could understand when she talked about not feeling that she was a real part of the family. This book is so good that I am recomendidng it to all of my colleges in the book review business. A truly excellent book.
Rating:
Summary: Great read, but was lacking in closure at the end.
Review: I found this book to be a great read--couldn't put it down! Unfortunately the ending left me feeling a bit cheated by the author! After a long emotional ride with the main character's tragic experiences, I almost felt it was owed to me to find out what was to happen next! Maybe that was done on purpose for a sequel? I recommend borrowing this book from someone or just buying the paperback. It's a good story, but something I wouldn't want to read again.
Rating:
Summary: Magnificient Book
Review: This is a must-read. It is such a good book that it should be required reading in schools. Lauck has done a superb job. I hope, in her sequel, she tells us more about her birth parents, why that guy in the summer camp was not reported to police, thrown into jail, and whether it is too late now, Were they able to stop the step-mother from cashing in the soc sec checks, Was the step-mother lying when she claimed no relatives wanted Jen, or Bryan.
Rating:
Summary: Anxiously waiting for sequel
Review: I cried the last two hours reading this memoir. I read this book straight through because I had to find out how Jenny would survive all the tragedies in her life. And we only know what happens to age ll! I cannot wait to see what happened to her and Bryan in the sequel. What a smart, brave child struggling and surviving in the world all alone. I am very disappointed I did not see her on Oprah.
Rating:
Summary: A childhood tragedy.
Review: I saw Jennifer on Oprah and immediately ordered the book. So much of it was familiar, because I live in Reno and am very familiar with Carson City, Reno, etc. In fact, Dr. Smernoff, who was Jennifer's pediatrician, was my younger brother's pediatrician. I admire Jenny's resilience in the face of almost insurmountable odds. It struck me how careless adults are with the lives of children. A child shouldn't have to be expected to clean up after their mother, even though Jenny loved her mother so much that she accepted what had to be done. In a perfect world, children should be allowed to grow up in a warm, caring, nurturing environment. The ultimate betrayal was Jenny being dumped at a homeless shelter at the age of 11. Her stepmother should have been reported to the authorities. I look forward to the sequel to this book and finding out how Jenny overcame the adversities of her childhood to triumph in adulthood.
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