I Read What You Write

For thirteen year old Jamison “Cal” Vandiver anonymity is nearly impossible, first because of his unusual talent for sports, but mostly because of his striking blue eyes that belie his Chinese heritage. Both he and his best friend Lilli were adopted as infants from China. While Lilli is beginning to wonder just what being Chinese means in her All-American world, Cal is content to just be. Unfortunately, it isn’t that easy. He and his friends are sure that he is being watched and when a forged parental permission slip to join the soccer team finds it way to his school, Cal and his friends know they must act quickly to find out who wants to control Cal’s future. What follows is a heart pounding journey that will take them around the world, on separate paths riddled with conspiracies from every angle, that could very well change the world.

This was a memorizing read. While the story is about Cal, the story lines involving his friends keep the tale moving at a quick pace that tie together beautifully in the end. Meanwhile throughout the book the spotlight is on China and the folly of its one child rule that has led to so much heartache and many foreign adoptions. The adoption relationship is the true star of this book. It isn’t easy for either the adoptive parents or the children in this story, as all realize that that the pitfalls of raising a child are amplified when that child is born to a different culture. Sadder still, for all involved, is that the connection between birth parents and adopted children are strong despite the separation, no matter how happy or fulfilling those new lives might be.

Cal and his friends at thirteen, are all extremely mature and well adjusted for their age. I am currently navigating a world filled with eighth graders and I would be hard pressed to find even one that would be clear thinking enough to handle the situations these four children find themselves in. While they all read to me as if they were more like 15 or 16, this book is definitely one that readers from seventh grade up will enjoy reading. My 12 year old son found the topic fascinating. I love the hope that is implicit in this story. This is a 5 Star Read

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review