The Waiting Child: How the Faith and Love of One Orphan Saved the Life of Another

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Summary: Great book for anyone!
Review: This book isn't just for those who adopt children from China. It's for anyone wanting a story about what it means to be part of a family. It's a gentle reminder that a dream is only a dream until it has a true believer and a plan to put it in motion.

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Summary: A lesson in Faith
Review: This heartwarming story provides the reader with inspiration and hope. I laughed, cried, and rejoiced at the stamina of one little girl who wouldn't forget her "baby". If you didn't believe in miracles before, you certainly will after reading about Jaclyn's faith that miracles CAN really happen. I closed the book and offered a prayer of thanks - once again, for the joy and unconditional love that children bring to this world. It's a must read for anyone indecisive about adoption.

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Summary: The Indomitable Human Spirit At Any Age
Review: This is a must read for anyone who is considering international (or domestic) adoption, has already completed an adoption, or who is simply drawn to a powerful story of love, faith, and tenacity. Cindy Champnella begins her moving tale with a tender letter that she writes to her soon to be daughter who is still in China. She ends this letter, "Come, begin the wonderful adventure of your future. I will be right beside you every step of the way. Take my hand." And so Cindy "takes the reader's hand" on a wonderful, sometimes challenging, often emotional journey as she first enfolds her new daughter into her family, and then as they both courageously and tenaciously attempt to save a small boy from the same orphanage. Cindy's multiple trips to China give plenty of fascinating details of the adoption process and insight into the unimaginable life for children growing up in an institution. This is a book as much about the universality of the human spirit as it is about adoption. A gem of a book.

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Summary: The story of many older girls adopted from China
Review: This is a story that has much in common with many older girls' tales who were adopted from China. I read this book straight through to the end. It absolutely corraborates what my daughter, adopted from China at 5, has told us. I found it to be very straight forward and unsoppy considering the content although my husband couldn't help shedding a few tears for Jaclyn's baby. My next move was to order extra copies for friends and relatives. Proceeds from the purchase of this book go to Half the Sky Foundation, an organization that gives aid to orphanages in China. I highly reccommend this true story. It even has a happy ending!

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Summary: The Power of One
Review: This is an important work for those who seek a life affirming experience, and enrichment in their reading material. It is equally a book for men as it is for women. It's the story of Jaclyn, a four year old Chinese orphan, who came to America with her adoptive parents, penniless, powerless, and without knowing the language of her new home. And yet, through shear willpower and doggedness, she singled handedly saved the two-year old boy she left behind in the orphanage. She simply would not fail in her efforts to, as she told it, "...find him a mama". Champnella's style is moving and sensitive. It is at the same time sad, fulfilling, and at the end a triumph of the human spirit over great odds. Jaclyn speaks for millions of children around the world who have no voice. Each of us seeks in our life, I believe, in some measure, to make a difference in the lives of others. If Jaclyn can do it in her circumstance, there is hope for the rest of us. She, in the words of Mother Teresa, did some small thing with great love, and WON! How wonderful is that? Her spirit further reminds me of the words of Jimmy Valvano, the legendary North Carolina State Basketball coach, who in a famous speech while dying of cancer gave the following rallying cry: In life, "...never give up, never give up, NEVER GIVE UP"! That's the gutsy Jaclyn, the youngest child advocate, the author portrays in the book.

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Summary: A Terrific China Adoption Story!!!!
Review: This is one of the best books on China adoptions that I have read. It is the personal story of one very determined little girl. I fell in love with her. I hope this book will encourage not only more adoptions from China but also more adoptions of older children. I have been considering a third adoption from China, and after completing this book, I have begun the process with a happy heart. The book describes the adjustment process with an older child, , the worries, the financial difficulties and the frustrations and yet leaves the reader so delighted at the end. Most of the children adopted from China(like my two) cannot tell us about their background or about life in the orphanage. This book is their story too.

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Summary: Heartwarming and inspiring story
Review: This is the beautiful story of Jaclyn, a little girl who was adopted from China by the author. The early struggles of the adoptive family are described in detail, including the doubts and fears of the parents and the terrors of the child. Throughout the adoption process and after being brought to the U.S., Jaclyn never forgets a little boy in the orphanage that she has considered her baby and her responsibility. Because of inadequate staff, Jaclyn had literally cared for this little boy, even though she herself was only 4 years old. Jaclyn's mother feels that her fervent devotion to the little boy will fade in time, but this never happens. Instead Jaclyn persists in asking her parents to adopt the child, or at least, find him an adoptive home. At this point, the story becomes personal for me because the couple who adopt the little boy are my cousin's children. I am inspired by their dedication to this homeless boy and hope that many others will be encouraged to follow in their path.

Rating:
Summary: Highly recommended to anyone!
Review: This is the most incredible story I have ever read. My heart has never ached so much for someone I have never met. Being Chinese and having an understanding of how things are in China, and also being a mother, aunt and children's advocate, I related to Jaclyn and what she was feeling during the process of getting a family for "her baby". Her persistance and the fierceness with which she loves this little boy is absolutly amazing.

Rating:
Summary: Everyone who is able to read should read book!
Review: This is the most incredible story I have ever read. My heart has never ached so much for someone I have never met. Being Chinese and having an understanding of how things are in China, and also being a mother, aunt and children's advocate, I related to Jaclyn and what she was feeling during the process of getting a family for "her baby". Her persistance and the fierceness with which she loves this little boy is absolutly amazing.

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Summary: A great inside view of international adoption
Review: We are in the early stages of an international adoption of a toddler and couldn't put this book down! I loved hearing the "slice of life" stories of their pre- and post-adoption experiences. What a special story - one everyone should read!