Grace from China

Rating:
Summary: Life goes on.
Review: An intriguing novel for older children and adults about a family's adoption from China. But in addition to being a poignant book about an adoption journey, it is also the story of how the protagonist, ninth grader Jess, begins to recover from the unexpected death of her father.

This is a gentle book that I think many children and adults who are unfamiliar with adoption, or who are older and whose family has adopted, will enjoy. The images of China are memorable and you get a real feeling of what it is like traveling with an eclectic adoption group in China. The grief that Jess feels throughout the book is sad, but the overall theme is one of life going on.

Rating:
Summary: Graceful
Review: This book does more than teach the reader about the lengthy adoption process in China but also addresses love and loss from a young girl's point of view. I was immediately drawn to Jess, the main character, and really able to identify and empathize with her feelings. There is a wonderful, real relationship between mother and daughter as they begin a journey across the world to meet their new family member. Along the way, the other interesting characters offer support and share the same anxious emotions that Jess and her mother feel. Scenery and detailed language allowed me to step right into the book and travel from the windy city of Lubbock all the way to the busy streets in China. The way I could relate to Jess, even as a young adult, proves that this book is not only for younger readers, but can teach us all a lesson about accepting life changing events. For Jess, this event has lead to understanding there is a reason for everything, and she begins a new wonderful journey in life and love for a new baby sister.